• E-mail
• Print
• Comment
• Font Size
• Digg
• del.icio.us
• Discuss article

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in New Hampshire Ranks Among Top Insurers on U.S. News & World Report / National Committee for Quality Assurance Best Health Plans List

Posted on: Friday, 5 December 2008, 08:00 CST

MANCHESTER, N.H., Dec. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in New Hampshire has once again ranked among the very best health insurers, according to the current issue of U.S. News & World Report/NCQA America's Best Health Plans 2008. This recognition as one of the nation's best health plans is the result of outstanding overall performance in clinical care measures, member satisfaction and NCQA accreditation.

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in New Hampshire was rated 20th out of the 239 ranked health plans in the country.

"This recognition is due to the hard work of our associates and a testament to all they do on behalf of our members," said Douglas J. Wenners, president and general manager, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in New Hampshire. "We are excited and proud to be counted among the nation's top plans yet again."

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in New Hampshire currently holds Excellent Accreditation for its HMO/POS plan and has earned Quality Plus Distinction in Care Management and Health Improvement. The plan scored in the 90th percentile (i.e., the top 10 percentile of health plans in the nation) in several key Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set *(HEDIS(R)) Effectiveness of Care measures, including preventive screenings for breast, cervical and colorectal cancer; diabetes measures related to HbA1c (blood sugar control) testing, HbA1c control, eye care, control of cholesterol, control of blood pressure (<140/90), cholesterol management, prenatal care, and access to preventive services for adults 20-64, access to PCP for children ages 2-6 and adolescents ages 12-19.

"As the state's largest health insurer, a major part of our mission is to improve the health status of New Hampshire residents," Wenners added. "Our work on these critical areas, as well as our continued emphasis on key population health measures, is vital to that mission."

"America's Best Health Plans is a practical tool that helps consumers make informed decisions when choosing a health plan," said NCQA President Margaret E. O'Kane. "It lets consumers know which plans have demonstrated they can deliver the highest levels of care and service."

The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to improving health care quality. NCQA accredits and certifies a wide range of health care organizations. NCQA provides health care quality information free of charge through the Web and the media in order to help consumers, employers and others make more informed health care choices. More information can be found at http://www.ncqa.org /.

Founded in 1933, the weekly news magazine, U.S. News & World Report, is devoted to investigative journalism and reporting and to analyzing national and international affairs, politics, business, health, science, technology and social trends. Through its annual rankings of America's Best Colleges, America's Best Graduate Schools and America's Best Hospitals, and its News You Can Use Brand, U.S. News has earned a reputation as the leading provider of service news and information that improves the quality of life of its readers. Available online at http://www.usnews.com/ , U.S. News, for the second time in a row, was named the most credible newsweekly by the Pew Biennial News Consumption Survey and the most credible news organization in print. "America's Best Health Plans" is a trademark of U.S. News & World Report.

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is the trade name of Anthem Health Plans of New Hampshire, Inc., an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. (R)ANTHEM is a registered trade mark of Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc. The Blue Cross and Blue Shield names and symbols are registered marks of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. Additional information about Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in New Hampshire is available at www.anthem.com .

SOURCE Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in New Hampshire

Source: PR Newswire

More News in this Category