Healthamerica Scores High In Quality --- Www.easytoinsureme.com

2008-10-20 Word Count: 533 Category: Parental Care

HEALTHAMERICA SCORES HIGH IN QUALITY

Ranks #1 in nine measures; member satisfaction exceeds both the state and national averages

HARRISBURG, PHILADELPHIA AND PITTSBURGH, Pa. April 23, 2008 HealthAmerica ranked number one in nine measures to prevent illness and help members stay healthy in a new report released by the Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council (PHC4), an independent state agency. The annual report, "Measuring the Quality of Pennsylvania's Commercial HMOs," compares Pennsylvania's health plans on how well they keep members healthy, prevent hospitalizations through primary care, manage ongoing illnesses and perform on surgical procedures.

Of the 17 "Staying Healthy" measures presented in the report, HealthAmerica was ranked #1 in nine measures including:

Hemoglobin A1C blood test for diabetic members
Eye exams for members with diabetes
Cholesterol screening for diabetic members
Controlling bad cholesterol for diabetic members
Prenatal care
Screening for cervical cancer
Controlling high blood pressure
Beta blockers after a heart attack

In 13 of the 17 "Staying Healthy" measures, HealthAmerica ranked among the top four health plans in the state. Overall, HealthAmerica exceeded the state average in 15 of the 17 measures, and the national average in 14.

HealthAmerica rated higher than the state average in all five categories of preventing hospitalization through primary care. Reporting hospitalization rates for health problems that should not require hospitalizations serves as one way to analyze the effectiveness of primary care and HMOs. In the category for hospitalization rates for people with ongoing, chronic illnesses, HealthAmerica’s rates for six of the eight measures were "as expected as or lower than expected" (in this category a lower than expected rating is desirable). HealthAmerica's overall plan rating for member satisfaction is higher than both the state and national averages.

"HealthAmerica has always been well ahead of the curve in helping members stay healthy and better manage their conditions," says Kirk E. Rothrock, HealthAmerica's president and chief executive officer. "We have been implementing wellness and disease management programs for over 30 years. This report is a positive tool to help the community be aware of the importance of managing care to assure quality access and outcomes."

An independent state agency, PHC4 was created under Pennsylvania statute (Act 89) to collect, analyze and report data to the public about the cost and quality of health care in Pennsylvania. This is the ninth year PHC4 has reported on the quality of care that HMO networks offer.

About HealthAmerica
For over 33 years, HealthAmerica has provided health benefit solutions to employers across Pennsylvania. HealthAmerica offers a broad range of traditional and consumer-directed health insurance products, including managed care, HSAs, self-funded, Medicare, indemnity, nongroup, and pharmacy plans. Serving 12,000 businesses and over 670,000 members in Pennsylvania and Ohio, HealthAmerica offers progressive medical management, innovative wellness programs, and statewide and national provider networks. HealthAmerica is ranked as one of "America’s Best Health Plans, 2006" by U.S. News & World Report; its HMO and POS products have an "Excellent" accreditation by the National Committee for Quality Assurance. HealthAmerica has corporate offices in Pittsburgh and Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, and employs over 2,200 people in the commonwealth.

Reference:

http://www.healthamerica.cvty.com/framesetdef.asp?Community=Member