GHI Introduces Health Manager

NEW YORK, Oct. 16 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ — Group Health Incorporated (GHI) has introduced the Health Manager, an online self-management program that will help GHI members take an active role in managing their health and maintaining their medical records.

The GHI Health Manager consists of two online tools, the Personal Health Record (PHR) and the Health Risk Assessment (HRA):

   * The PHR helps members organize, store, and view their personal health     information. This tool can help members keep track of their medical     history, medications, tests, and personal health treatment plans. GHI     members can print documents to share with their physicians.    * The HRA provides an online questionnaire to help members become more     knowledgeable about their current health status and potential health     risks. After completing the questionnaire, the member receives a     personalized online report, as well as recommendations for addressing     their medical conditions and for reducing risk factors to improve their     health outcomes.   

“GHI is committed to providing useful tools to our members so that they can take a more active role in managing their health in partnership with their physicians,” said Frank Branchini, CEO of GHI. “GHI’s comprehensive online Health Manager is the latest demonstration of this commitment.”

Members can also print a summary report of their Health Risk Assessment to give to their physicians. If a member elects to share their information with GHI, he or she may receive an invitation for a personalized health care management program. For example, if a member finds out he or she is at risk for diabetes and elects to share this information with GHI, the member will receive an email that includes important information about GHI’s diabetes programs and services.

Members can access these online tools on GHI’s secure member portal on http://www.ghi.com/healthmanager, which is accessed by a user ID and password. Health Manager is available through a partnership with Protocol Driven Health, Inc.

The data resides with Protocol Driven Health and staff at PDHI or GHI will not view submitted personal information. All information collected in the Health Manager is confidential and for the member’s use only. Only the member can elect to share this information with his or her health care professional.

About GHI

Group Health Incorporated (GHI) is a statewide health insurer serving New Yorkers since 1937. GHI and its wholly owned subsidiary, GHI HMO, provide health care coverage and administrative services to more than 2.6 million people. GHI offers customers a variety of PPO, EPO, and HMO programs, as well as prescription drug, dental, and vision plans. Throughout its history, GHI has pioneered many of the programs that are now standard in the health insurance field. For additional information about GHI, please visit http://www.ghi.com/.

About PDHI

PDHI develops and markets health management connectivity applications and services using the PDHI ConXus health platform. ConXus solutions are scalable and flexible, driving process efficiency and project control for clients. PDHI has adopted an open systems approach, including extensive administrative tools and interfaces that allow integration of ConXus solutions into client portal environments.

ConXus solutions include health risk assessments, personal health record and a medication therapy management system to support health management programs in Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial insured populations.

Group Health Incorporated (GHI)

CONTACT: Michael Woloz of Connelly & McLaughlin, +1-212-437-7373, IleneMargolin of GHI, +1-212-615-0098

Web site: http://www.ghi.com/