NEW YORK, Dec. 13 /PRNewswire/ — HIP Health Plan of New York is the first to offer a health plan that focuses exclusively on the unique healthcare needs of Medicare beneficiaries with diabetes in the New York City area. More than 500,000 Medicare beneficiaries are eligible to join HIP’s VIP Care Improvement plan, which seeks to help address the epidemic of diabetes in the New York City area.
“The problem of diabetes in New York has reached epidemic proportions,” said Anthony L. Watson, Chairman and CEO of HIP. “As a longtime participant in the New York healthcare market, HIP knows the devastating effect that diabetes has on our senior population. We’ve designed our new health plan to address the special needs of New York’s older residents living with diabetes.”
The prevalence of diabetes in the New York City is nearly a third higher than in the nation overall. It is estimated that more than one in every eight adult New Yorkers has diabetes. HIP is one of a handful of companies throughout the nation chosen by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to offer a Medicare Advantage Special Needs Plan (SNP) for those living with chronic illnesses. In recognition of the fact that some Medicare recipients require specialized care, the Medicare Modernization Act of 2003 allows Medicare Advantage organizations to offer SNPs to Medicare beneficiaries with chronic illnesses. HIP is partnering with XLHealth, one of the country’s leading disease management companies, to provide disease management services under this new plan in New York City, Long Island and Westchester. (See attached overview for details about the plan.)
“This new plan benefits both Medicare beneficiaries living with diabetes, as well as the doctors in our network who treat them,” said Dan J. Dragalin, MD, Executive Vice President for Medical Affairs and Corporate Chief Medical Officer. “With an increased focus on disease management, we can support the work of our physicians with coordinated data collection and improved patient compliance, while offering members the education and support services they need to avoid the serious complications that often accompany this disease.”
“Our experience with disease management-focused health plans has yielded very encouraging results,” said Paul Serini, XLHealth’s executive vice president. “By providing the right kinds of tools to help manage chronic conditions like diabetes, we’ve been able to help those with the disease avoid complications and reduce the need for costly treatments and hospitalizations.”
ABOUT HIP VIP CARE IMPROVEMENT
As a chronic disease management Special Needs Plan, HIP VIP Care Improvement is the first plan to offer a complete Medicare Advantage health plan with prescription drug coverage and comprehensive diabetes disease management services to the more than half a million Medicare beneficiaries in New York who qualify. HIP is partnering with XLHealth, one of the country’s leading disease management companies, to provide disease management services under this new plan.
To join, members must: * be eligible for Medicare Part A and enrolled in Medicare Part B * have diabetes * reside in the plan's service area: New York City, Long Island or Westchester * not have end-stage renal disease
Each HIP VIP Care Improvement plan member will be assigned a local XLHealth nursing support team who will work closely with the member’s physicians and caregivers to coordinate services and help provide optimal care. Members receive coverage that offers the advantages of traditional Medicare, plus additional benefits, care coordination and services as appropriate, such as:
* plans options with $0 or no-cost premiums and copays * no copayment for diabetes self-monitoring training or supplies * comprehensive prescription drug coverage under Medicare Part D - with a formulary specifically designed for people living with diabetes * nursing support in person or by telephone * medication monitoring and counseling * medication and appointment reminders * education to promote self-care * hospital discharge planning * tools to help monitor and manage health, such as diabetic protective shoes and/or blood pressure cuffs for those who qualify
HIP VIP Care Improvement enrollment began November 15, 2006. Members joining between then and December 31, 2006, will begin receiving plan benefits on January 1, 2007. Medicare beneficiaries with diabetes who are interested in learning more about the plan can call 1-877-PICK-HIP (1-877-742-5447)
HIP Health Plan of New York
CONTACT: John McKeegan, The Marcus Group, for HIP Health Plan of NewYork, +1-201-902-9000, cell: +1-609-571-8510, [email protected]
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