GHP named Outstanding Health Plan for 2008
Feb. 17, 2009, Danville, PA –– Geisinger Health Plan was named the 2008 “Outstanding Health Plan” by the nation’s premier disease management trade group, DMAA: The Care Continuum Alliance. The award recognized Geisinger Health Plan’s achievement in care for those with chronic conditions through their unique medical home program, Health Navigator.
Geisinger Health Plan’s Health Navigator program blends aspects of chronic care, medical home and patient-centered primary care to improve the health of members. During 2007, members enrolled in the program saw a 12 percent decrease in acute hospital admissions, an 11.7 percent decrease in hospital readmissions and an 8 percent difference in medical cost trend for primary care sites that offered the Personal Health Navigator program versus non-Navigator sites.
“We are honored and pleased with DMAA’s recognition because it validates our belief that patient-centered primary care, when implemented as a partnership between the Health Plan and primary care practitioners, presents a real opportunity to improve patients’ health,” says the Health Plan’s Vice President of Health Services Janet Tomcavage, RN, MSN.
“If I have a problem, I’m so at ease now because I have someone I can trust,” says Geisinger Gold member, Dorothy Beachell. “My care is so much better now. It’s the greatest relief to have my case manager calling me. I’ve called her when a prescription ran out and got it refilled quickly. Everyone should have access to this kind of care. It saves time and puts the person at ease who is calling.”
“We have redesigned primary care to give each person a health care and support team to help manage their health anytime, anywhere,” says Richard Gilfillan, MD, president and CEO for the Health Plan. “With additional resources from the Health Plan, each practice now has the ability to meet the common objective of delivering affordable high quality care for all of their Medicare patients. It is a coordinated care system for each individual that optimizes outcomes for all.”
Geisinger Health Plan’s Health Navigator program was selected after undergoing a rigorous process that evaluated nominations against seven core criteria focusing on commitment, program design, implementation, innovation, outcomes-based orientation, scope and potential impact, and vision and leadership. Each award winner also met category-specific criteria.
Since its creation in 1999, DMAA's Leadership Awards Program has honored organizations and individuals in population health improvement annually. Although the awards have evolved over the years, their core purpose remains the same: to recognize outstanding achievements in and contributions to the science and practice of chronic disease care.
About Geisinger Health Plan
Geisinger Health Plan, begun in 1985, is headquartered in Danville, PA and is one of the nation’s largest rural HMOs. GHP serves more than 220,000 members in 42 counties. Members of the Health Plan have access to complete health-care benefits, from preventive care and routine office visits to hospital care and surgery; and an extensive network of primary care physicians, including affiliations with hospitals, pharmacies, and home health and rehabilitation services. Coverage is available for businesses of all sizes, individuals and families, and Medicare beneficiaries. PPO, self-funded and indemnity plans are sold through its affiliate, Geisinger Indemnity Insurance Company. For more information, see www.thehealthplan.com.
About DMAA: The Care Continuum Alliance
DMAA: The Care Continuum Alliance convenes all stakeholders providing services along the care continuum toward the goal of population health improvement. These care continuum services include strategies, such as health and wellness promotion, disease management, and care coordination. DMAA: The Care Continuum Alliance promotes the role of population health improvement in raising the quality of care, improving health outcomes and reducing preventable health care costs for individuals with chronic conditions and those at risk of developing chronic conditions. DMAA activities in support of these efforts include advocacy, research and the promotion of best practices in care management.
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