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National Employer Coalition Rates HAP No. 1 in Pharmaceutical Management, Behavioral Health Services and Reducing Ethnic and Racial Health Care Disparities

Posted on: Monday, 14 August 2006, 09:00 CDT

DETROIT, Aug. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Three Health Alliance Plan (HAP) programs achieved top scores from the National Business Coalition on Health.

Every year, health plans submit extensive eValue8(TM) RFI survey data to the National Business Coalition on Health. Employers use the survey to compare the value of health plans' clinical quality and administrative efficiency. The ultimate goal is to ensure consumers receive care that's scientifically proven to be effective, prevent illness, and ensure safe, efficient care.

"The latest validated 2006 eValue8 survey data from 93 health plans shows that HAP works effectively with employers and physicians to improve health care quality," said Mary Beth Bolton, M.D., senior vice president and Chief Medical Officer.

* HAP's PPO product achieved the national benchmark -- best in the nation -- score in Pharmaceutical Management (92 percent). Pharmaceutical strengths include generic drug use rates and the health plan's status as the market leader in e-prescribing technology. * HAP's PPO and HMO products were national benchmarks in Behavioral Health Screening (92 percent PPO; 89 percent HMO). * Efforts to reduce health disparities helped propel HAP to Michigan benchmark status in the Plan Profile category.

"The health plans in Southeast Michigan, including Health Alliance Plan, have demonstrated a strong commitment to driving change in health care delivery," said Vernice Davis Anthony, president and CEO, Greater Detroit Area Health Council. "The eValue8 process working together with GDAHC's Save Lives Save Dollars program encourages all health plans to continually invest in quality improvement that results in a healthy population and productive workforce in Michigan."

HAP is the national leader in Behavioral Health for proactively identifying members with depression and developing programs to assist them. NBCH recognized HAP's integration of depression care with disease management services.

"People suffering from chronic illness often experience depression, which can compromise members' and physicians' ability to effectively treat their illness," said Dr. Bolton. "Depression can leave members feeling powerless and hopeless. Effective diagnosis and treatment helps members see the light at the end of the tunnel and know they can take charge of their lives and improve their health."

HAP automated the process for identifying members with depression, increased member contacts, and tracked customer satisfaction feedback. HAP also embarked on an outpatient quality initiative, Behavioral Quality Partnerships, which tracks quality measures. Developed with input from physicians, the Partnership program encourages clinicians to provide high quality behavioral health care.

HAP also was recognized as a market leader in worksite wellness and health promotion, thanks to efforts to educate families, innovative worksite programs, and iStrive for Better Health, an online health risk appraisal tool.

Best in Michigan for Addressing Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities

HAP's HMO attained the Michigan Benchmark score for initiatives addressing racial and ethnic disparities.

In collaboration with Ford, GM, DaimlerChrysler and the Henry Ford Medical Group, HAP identified disparities in asthma management and cancer screening rates among African Americans employed by the Big Three. When one thinks of disparities, the uninsured typically comes to mind. HAP found health disparities among autoworkers with health insurance and access to primary and specialty care. For example, fewer African Americans than Caucasians received proper asthma care and screenings for breast, cervical and colon cancer.

"HAP is working to reduce these disparities by addressing health literacy and developing culturally sensitive materials to help members improve their health and successfully navigate the health system," said Dr. Bolton. "Physicians received cultural competency training and lists of patients overdue for preventive services. Interpretive services minimize language barriers to obtaining care among ethnic populations."

HAP representatives were invited to present their ethnic and racial disparities initiative at the National Business Coalition on Health annual User's Group Meeting in Chicago in July 2006.

About eValue8(TM)

The eValue8 common Request for Information (RFI) tool is a product of the National Business Coalition on Health (NBCH), a national, non-profit, membership organization of nearly 70 employer-based health care coalitions, representing over 10,000 employers across the United States. Survey content is coordinated using input from employers, coalitions and health plans and incorporates guidance from leading health care quality experts. Currently, over 250 health plans respond to the annual RFI. Widespread adoption of eValue8 has been the catalyst for improved health plan performance, efficiency and innovation nationwide.

The Stakes are High: How Employers Use eValue8

Evaluating and choosing a health plan takes an enormous amount of time and effort. The standardized eValue8 RFI survey tool helps to simplify the process. Major employers use the survey to compare the performance and value of more than 250 health plans nationwide. eValue8 enables health plans to provide evidence on the cost and quality of care delivered to members and fosters collaboration between purchasers and health plans to improve the quality and efficiency of health care delivery.

The financial stakes are high for health plans and consumers. Employers use eValue8 data to select health plans, negotiate pricing and set quality performance targets to increase preventive services and improve the health of patients with chronic illnesses.

Major purchasers, such as the automakers, use the information to determine how much the company will contribute to the employees' share of health insurance premium costs. Higher quality plans are presented as more affordable choices. Both employers and employees win because employees are encouraged to choose a high quality plan.

About HAP

Health Alliance Plan (HAP), a nonprofit health plan based in Detroit, serves more than 570,000 members and is a subsidiary of the Henry Ford Health System, one of the nation's leading health care systems. The health plan serves companies of all sizes through an expansive product portfolio including: HMOs, PPOs, experience-rated and fully insured products and HSA- compatible high-deductible health plans with online tools to help consumers make informed health care decisions. Product offerings also include Medicare Advantage HMO and PPO plans. The National Committee for Quality Assurance awarded HAP's commercial HMO its highest status, Excellent Accreditation, and Full Accreditation for Alliance Health and Life Insurance Company PPO products.

Health Alliance Plan

CONTACT: Susan Schwandt, APR, +1-248-443-1076, sschwan1@hap.org , or LizManasse, +1-248-443-1072, emanasse@hap.org , both of Health Alliance Plan

Web site: http://www.hap.org/

Source: PRNewswire

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