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Molina Healthcare of New Mexico Rewards Physicians for Quality Care

Posted on: Wednesday, 30 January 2008, 12:00 CST

Molina Healthcare of New Mexico announced that it paid $2 million in incentive bonus payments to its physicians for providing quality care to New Mexico health plan's members.

"In total, 275 primary care physicians or groups of physicians were recognized for the overall improvement in company-wide quality indicators for 2007. But, the individuals who really benefit from these physician pay-for-performance programs are our patients," said Ann Wehr, M.D., President of Molina Healthcare of New Mexico. "When we encourage physicians to expand preventive services, improve clinical outcomes and enhance patient safety and satisfaction, our patients benefit."

Molina used nationally recognized quality standards to evaluate the health plan and the performance of the physician network. The three major quality sources used to determine improvement were the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), which is the major accrediting body for health plans. For the last three years, Molina Healthcare of New Mexico was awarded the highest accreditation status of Excellent. The Health Plan Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS) was also used. HEDIS measures key elements including issues related to clinical management and preventive health care. Lastly, member satisfaction was measured by an independent third party company which conducts the annual Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS®) Medicaid Adult and Child Member Satisfaction Survey.

Molina Healthcare, which provides health care for individuals eligible for Medicaid and other government sponsored programs, rewards their physicians with pay for performance programs when certain standards are achieved for quality, access and health outcomes. Pay-for-performance programs have been endorsed by organizations such as the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission, National Quality Forum, and the American Medical Association.

About Molina Healthcare

Molina Healthcare, Inc. (NYSE: MOH) is a multi-state managed care organization that arranges for the delivery of health care services to persons eligible for Medicaid, Medicare, and other government-sponsored programs for low-income families and individuals. Molina Healthcare's nine licensed health plan subsidiaries in California, Michigan, Missouri (under the Mercy CarePlus name), Nevada, New Mexico, Ohio, Texas, Utah, and Washington currently serve approximately 1.1 million members. More information about Molina Healthcare or Molina Healthcare of New Mexico can be obtained at www.molinahealthcare.com.

Source: Business Wire

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