By: Health Insurance
Submitted: 2009-10-23 13:01:46 | Word Count: 451
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:
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* 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.
