New Provider Educational Resource Aims to Help Improve Quality Care for LGBT Individuals and Their Families

According to a nationwide survey conducted by Lambda Legal, primary care for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) populations may be compromised by gaps in care that negatively impact clinical quality and health outcomes.

The survey results cast a light on the common experiences faced by LGBT patients. More than half of all respondents reported that they have either been refused care, experienced health care professionals who refused to touch them, used excessive precautions or were blamed for their health status. Moreover, research shows that often medical practices are not aware of or trained in the specific health needs of the LGBT community, which may cause patients to delay or avoid getting the most appropriate and timely care.

Today Anthem, Inc. announced the launch of a new online experience – Creating an LGBT-Friendly Practice, to address such gaps and offer strategies for enhancing physician-patient interactions. The learning resource is available at no cost to providers and their clinical staff nationwide, and it can be accessed from a computer, tablet, or smartphone.

“Helping individuals maintain a healthy lifestyle begins with an open and honest relationship between patients and their providers. However, many LGBT patients are concerned that their sexual orientation or gender identity may adversely impact a provider’s perspective, and ultimately their care,” said Mary McCluskey, MD, senior vice president for Care Management at Anthem, Inc. “We are confident that this new online experience will help educate physicians and their staff about how an LGBT-friendly practice can go a long way in ensuring all patients receive personalized, quality-driven care.”

Providers may apply their completion of the course toward continuing medical education (CME) credit certification. The training has been reviewed and is acceptable for up to one prescribed credit by the American Academy of Family Physicians.*

In addition to the CME credit, providers learn how to practically apply best practices. Anthem’s eTraining features compelling real-life stories that convey practical strategies for implementing culturally responsive care. To ensure its relevance for physicians, LGBT individuals and their families, Anthem collaborated with nationally renowned experts in LGBT health, clinical advisors and with its own Associate Network for Gay and Lesbian Equality (ANGLE), the company’s Associate Resource Group dedicated to helping raise awareness and inclusion of the LGBT community both inside and outside of the company. Comprised of more than 300 Anthem associates, ANGLE helped shape the content direction by offering personal insight into the most pressing and prevalent health-care-related issues faced by the LGBT community.

“Our Associate Resource Groups provide us with a real life look into the unique health care needs impacting the diverse communities we serve,” said Tracy Edmonds, chief diversity officer for Anthem, Inc. “We are proud of the work and insight ANGLE provided to help broaden, inform and help us extend meaningful solutions that meet the health care needs of our LGBT consumers. Likewise, we are grateful for the collaborative strength that made this course possible. It represents the shared goals of our leadership and underscores our commitment to corporate responsibility. ”

To access the experience, visit www.anthem.com/lgbt.

*This enduring material activity, Creating an LGBT-Friendly Practice, has been reviewed and is acceptable for up to 1 Prescribed credit by the American Academy of Family Physicians. Term of approval begins December 3, 2014. Term of approval is for one year from this date. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

About Anthem, Inc.

Anthem is working to transform health care with trusted and caring solutions. Our health plan companies deliver quality products and services that give their members access to the care they need. With more than 68 million people served by its affiliated companies, including more than 37 million enrolled in its family of health plans, Anthem is one of the nation’s leading health benefits companies. For more information about Anthem’s family of companies, please visit www.antheminc.com/companies.