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Health Plan Performance Improvement Project: Calcium/Vitamin D Supplementation

Five health plans—Blue Plus, HealthPartners, MHP, Medica, and UCare—have been working for three years to help low-income seniors increase use of Calcium and Vitamin D supplements as a means to fight osteoporosis. Members are able to receive supplements at little or no cost from their pharmacy with a prescription from their provider or pharmacist. Intervention strategies for this project were developed in conjunction with care coordinators and pharmacists to ensure members receive the supplements they need. The project ended in 2009, and resulted in an additional 18 percent of members regularly receiving calcium and vitamin D supplements as measured through pharmacy claims.

More information on this project in PIP News 2010, page 2. (10-page PDF)

Resources for care coordinators and providers

Care coordinator training, February 2008

Calcium and Vitamin D Supplementation. The presentation recommends ways to improve calcium and vitamin D intake among seniors and discusses the role it plays in reducing osteoporosis. Presented by Pamela Van Zyl York, MPH, PhD, RD, LN, Minnesota Department of Health Division of Health Promotion and Chronic Disease. (108-minute audio file)

  • Keeping Minnesotans Right Side Up - What's New with Pamela Van Zyl York, MPH, PhD, RD, LN, Minnesota Department of Health Division of Health Promotion and Chronic Disease. Handout (10-page PDF)
  • Check for Safety a CDC Fall Prevention Booklet. Handout (8-page PDF)
  • Frequently Asked Questions: Calcium/Vitamin D. Handout (4-page Word doc)

Other resources

  • Letter alerting pharmacists to the potential for increased prescription requests from members for calcium and vitamin D supplements. Letter (4-page PDF)
  • CaVitD Newsletter Article requesting pharmacists' participation in the PIP collaboration. Handout (1-page PDF)

Translated fliers

How Can I have Good Bone Health?

Contact information

For more information on PIPs, please contact Karla Weng, program manager, 952-853-8570.