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Blue Cross and Blue Shield Service Benefit Plan Receives URAC Case Management Accreditation

Posted on: Tuesday, 11 October 2005, 18:00 CDT

WASHINGTON, Oct. 11 /U.S. Newswire/ -- The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association (BCBSA) announced today that for the second time, the Service Benefit Plan has received Case Management Accreditation from URAC, an independent, nonprofit organization that promotes healthcare quality through its accreditation and certification programs.

The Service Benefit Plan -- the largest privately underwritten health insurance contract in the world and also known as the Federal Employee Program (FEP) -- enrolls 4.5 million federal government employees, retirees and their families. About 55 percent of all federal employees and retirees who receive their healthcare through the government's Federal Employees Health Benefits Program (FEHBP) belong to the Service Benefit Plan. The first time the Plan received this accreditation was in 2002.

Case management evaluates an individual's health needs to promote safe, quality care and identifies medically appropriate and cost- effective alternatives to traditional care. URAC's Case Management Accreditation standards require the establishment of a process to assess, plan and implement case management interventions. The achievement of Case Management accreditation indicates the Service Benefit Plan has met nationally recognized standards.

"We are proud of the Service Benefit Plan's achievement in receiving URAC's Case Management Accreditation," said Rod Collins, chief operating executive, Federal Employee Program, BCBSA. "Achieving accreditation confirms our dedication to the delivery of consistent, high-quality healthcare to our members and we are pleased to be recognized for this commitment. Such a distinction also underscores the quality of our work with customers, patients, clients, payors, and providers by demonstrating compliance with national standards for case management services."

According to Charles Stellar, URAC board chair, "The Service Benefit Plan has demonstrated a commitment to quality healthcare by receiving URAC Case Management Accreditation."

URAC's Case Management Accreditation standards ensure appropriate patient protections have been established, such as policies for confidentiality, informed consent, dispute resolution and other issues. URAC is a leader in promoting healthcare quality through accreditation and certification programs. Through its broad-based governance structure and inclusive standards development process, URAC ensures all stakeholders are represented in setting meaningful standards for the healthcare industry. For more information, visit http://www.urac.org.

The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Government-wide Service Benefit Plan has been part of the FEHBP since its inception in 1960. FEP covers roughly 4.5 million federal employees, retirees and their families out of the total 8.5 million people (contract holders as well as their dependents) who receive their benefits through FEHBP. BCBSA works with the Office of Personnel Management to administer the Service Benefit Plan on behalf of the 40 independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield Plans.

The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association is made up of 40 independent, locally owned and operated Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies that collectively provide healthcare coverage for more than 93 million -- nearly one-in-three -- Americans. For more information about the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association and the Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies, please visit http:// www.BCBS.com. For more information on the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Federal Employee Program, visit http://www.fepblue.org.

http://www.usnewswire.com

Source: U.S. Newswire

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