Highmark Health Insurance Products Ranked Among 'America's Best Health Insurance Plans
By: Health Insurance
Submitted: 2009-11-24 12:26:06 | Word Count: 492
Two of Highmark Inc.'s health insurance products are among "America's Best Health Insurance Plans 2009-10," according to U.S. News & World Report/National Committee for Quality Assurance's (NCQA) America's Best Health Plans. SecurityBlue, Highmark's Medicare Advantage HMO ranked 32nd on U.S. News & World Report's list of the best Medicare plans. In the Commercial HMO category, Keystone Blue, offered under Highmark's subsidiary Keystone Health Plan West, Inc., ranked 47th.
"The NCQA designation is proof of Highmark's commitment to offer excellent, high-quality products and customer service," said Donald Fischer, M.D., Highmark's chief medical officer. "Partnering with our network providers, Highmark continues to stress the importance of preventive care as an important and cost-effective way to keep our members healthy."
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This is the fifth year that U.S. News & World Report and NCQA have partnered together to deliver rankings on health care plans. Rankings are released during open enrollment as millions of Americans select health care coverage for the coming year.
Highmark earned an "Excellent" status on both product lines, earning four stars in the following categories: Access & Service; Qualified Providers, Staying Healthy, Getting Better and Living with Illness.
NCQA accreditation is a nationally-recognized accreditation that consumers and regulators can use to get more information on a specific health plan. In fact, consumers can compare the report cards of more than 300 health plans that participate voluntarily in the NCQA review process. The Pennsylvania Department of Health requires managed care organizations across the state to be evaluated by an external quality review organization (EQRO). NCQA is the only EQRO currently recognized by the Department of Health. A representative from the Department participates in the review process.
About Highmark Inc.
As one of the leading health insurers in Pennsylvania, Highmark Inc.'s mission is to provide access to affordable, quality health care enabling individuals to life longer, healthier lives. Based in Pittsburgh, Highmark serves 4.8 million people through the company's health care benefits business. Highmark contributes millions of dollars to help keep quality health care programs affordable and to support community-based programs that work to improve people's health. Highmark exerts an enormous economic impact throughout Pennsylvania. A recent study states that Highmark's positive impact exceeded $2.5 billion. The company provides the resources to give its members a greater hand in their health.
