Clinical practice guidelines and shared decision-making aids

Blue Shield of California is committed to improving health with optimal outcomes. Clinical practice guidelines help by providing a summary of evidence-based recommendations for the evaluation and treatment of select common acute and chronic conditions.

Clinical practice guidelines focus on important aspects of care with recognized and measurable best practices for high-volume diagnoses.

The basis of the guidelines includes a variety of sources that are nationally recognized, or evidence-based, or are expert consensus documents. Additional points have been included where medical literature and expert opinion are noted.

Network physician involvement is a crucial part of the guideline development, as well as adoption for the organization after approval by Blue Shield committees.

Shared decision-making aids

Providers can also utilize certified decision-making tools based on their specialty. These tools assist physicians in discussing treatment options with their members (conservative to invasive) and include information on risk and potential outcomes. Patient decision-making tools aids are available on the topics of maternity and labor/delivery; total joint replacement and spine care; end of life care; and cancer screening.

View patient decision aids

Clinical practice guidelines

Guideline Consensus document
Asthma

Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA)

National Asthma Education and Prevention Program (NAEPP)

Cholesterol Management

American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association et al.

Chronic Coronary Disease

American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association et al.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD)

Depression for children and adolescents

Content provided by the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (AACAP)

Additional information: Patient and physician education materials

Depression (across three age cohorts) American Psychological Association

Diabetes

American Diabetes Association

Heart Failure

American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association/Heart Failure Society of America

Hypertension

American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association et al.

Kidney Disease

National Kidney Foundation

Treatment of Opioid Use Disorder American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM)

Drug formulary, policy and forms

Search our drug formulary database, get prior authorization forms, and find information on oral and topical drugs, home-injectable drugs and more.

Policies and standards

Find medication policies information and standards for HIPAA transactions, medical records and more.

Patient care resources and programs

Find information to help your members, such as language assistance resources, patient education materials, member rights and responsibilities, and more.

© California Physicians' Service DBA Blue Shield of California 1999-2024. All rights reserved. California Physicians’ Service DBA Blue Shield of California is an independent member of the Blue Shield Association. Health insurance products are offered by Blue Shield of California Life & Health Insurance Company. Health plans are offered by Blue Shield of California.

TRUSTe