Back Pain Recognition Program

In 2006 the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) announced the creation of the Back Pain Recognition Program (BPRP), which seeks to recognize physicians and chiropractors who deliver superior care to the approximately 30 million Americans who suffer from low back pain. The program is designed specifically for treatment of an episode of low back pain.  Eligible participants include:

 

Chiropractors

Orthopedic Surgeons

Primary Care Physicians

Doctors of Osteopathy

 

The goal of the program is to promote a high-value, patient-centered model of care that includes: comprehensive patient assessment and reassessment, discerning use of imaging, patient education and shared decision-making (for surgeons).  The BPRP is the first independent effort to systematically evaluate back pain care.

 

As we announced last year, both BCBCNC and CIGNA HealthCare support this program and these payors are “recommending their participating providers achieve this high recognition”.  (CNC offered to reimburse providers, for the full cost of this program, if certification was obtained prior to 2009, and we are pleased that many network providers took advantage of that opportunity.  We continue to encourage network providers to receive this significant recognition from the NCQA.)

 

In 2009, BCBSNC provider directories (including their website directory) will attach a special designation by the names of those providers that have earned the NCQA Back Pain Recognition Program Certification.   This special designation as a NCQA BPRP provider should increase steerage to those providers who have received this high recognition.