Healthamerica

HealthAmerica ranked number one in nine measures to prevent illness and help members stay healthy in a new report published by the Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council (PHC4), an independent government agency. The annual report, Measuring the Quality of Pennsylvania's Commercial HMOs a„c s, Pennsylvania compares a„c s health plans on how they keep members healthy, prevent hospitalizations in primary care, manage ongoing illnesses and perform surgical procedures.

Among the 17 measures Staying healthy in the report, HealthAmerica was ranked # 1 in nine measures, including:

* Test blood hemoglobin A1C for diabetic members
* Eye exams for members with diabetes
* The cholesterol screening for members with diabetes
* Control of bad cholesterol for diabetic members
* Prenatal care
* Screening for cervical cancer of the uterus
* Control blood pressure
Beta-blockers after a heart attack *

In 13 of 17 measures Stay healthy, HealthAmerica ranked among the top four health plans in the state. Overall, HealthAmerica exceeded the national average in 15 of 17 measures, and the national average in 14.

HealthAmerica rated higher than the state average in all five categories of preventing hospitalization in primary care. hospitalization rates for reporting health problems that should not require hospitalization serves as a means of analyzing the effectiveness of primary care and HMOs. In the category of hospitalization rates for people over, chronic illnesses, HealthAmerica a„c s rates for six of the eight measures have been as expected or lower than expected (in this category a rating lower than expected is desirable). HealthAmerica a„c s overall plan rating for member satisfaction is higher than average at both the state and national levels.

HealthAmerica has always been well ahead of the curve in helping members stay healthy and better manage their conditions, "said Kirk E. Rothrock, HealthAmerica a„c s president and CEO. We have implemented wellness programs and disease management for over 30 years. This ratio is a positive tool to help the community is aware of the importance of management to ensure quality care access and outcomes.

An independent state agency, PHC4 was created under a Pennsylvania statute (Act 89) to collect, analyze and report data to the public on the cost and quality of health care in Pennsylvania. This is the ninth year PHC4 has reported on the quality of care that HMO networks offer.