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Health Dialog Supports Partners HealthCare in Initiative to Improve Care for Medicaid Patients

Posted on: Monday, 14 March 2005, 09:00 CST

Partners to offer Health Coaching services directly to patients

Health Dialog Services Corporation today announced it is working with Partners HealthCare to provide Health Coaching services to 1,000 Medicaid and uncompensated care patients. The 3-year pilot program will support these patients by helping them to navigate through the healthcare system, prepare for their physician visits, and become more involved in managing their healthcare.

Partners will identify individuals with complex or chronic medical conditions and Health Dialog will provide access to Health Coaching services to help these patients manage chronic diseases, such as diabetes and asthma, as well as other healthcare issues. Health Dialog's model is built on the philosophy of working with the whole person to address the broad needs of the individual - an approach that is especially critical when dealing with the unique needs of the Medicaid population.

"We have been incredibly impressed with Health Dialog's level of innovation in creating a totally new service within their organization as well as their terrific capacity to do the challenging day-to-day work of calling our patients and coaching them in their health needs," said Dr. Timothy Ferris of Partners HealthCare.

Health Dialog's Health Coaching services are integrated into the Partners' physician practices by enabling direct communication between Health Coaches and physicians. Patients will have 24/7 access to a dedicated group of Health Coaches who have experience working with the Medicaid population. Health Dialog's Health Coaches are specially trained healthcare professionals, such as nurses and dietitians, who meet the patient where they are in the spectrum of managing their healthcare needs.

"Partners HealthCare is once again taking a leadership position in the industry by offering Health Coaching services directly to a Medicaid population," said George Bennett, Chairman and CEO of Health Dialog. "We look forward to supporting Partners with an experienced team of Health Coaches, who are specifically trained in assisting individuals with complex medical conditions and unique needs."

About Health Dialog

Health Dialog is a leading provider of care management services, including disease management, and is one of the fastest growing privately held firms in the U.S. The firm helps physician groups, health plans, and self-insured employers improve healthcare quality while reducing overall costs. The firm's services include analytic services and telephonic care management support for individuals. Health Dialog helps individuals become more actively engaged in their healthcare and have more effective relationships with their physicians. For more information about Health Dialog, please visit www.healthdialog.com.

About Partners HealthCare

Partners HealthCare is a non-profit network of hospitals, physicians, and community health centers founded by Brigham and Women's Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital. Last year, Partners hospitals and doctors provided more than $227 million in care to over 100,000 Medicaid and uncompensated care patients.

Source: Business Wire

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