April 6, 2007
DANVILLE, PA – Members of Geisinger Health Plan ranked it favorably for quality says a new report released by the Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council (PHC4), an independent state agency.
The annual report, “Measuring the Quality of Pennsylvania’s Commercial HMOs,” compares Pennsylvania’s health plans in how well they keep members healthy, prevent hospitalizations through primary care, manage ongoing illnesses, follow-up to an emergency situation and perform on surgical procedures. Overall, more than 40 different measures are compared.
“We are fortunate to have an organization like PHC4 in Pennsylvania,” says Duane E. Davis, M.D, GHP’s vice president and chief medical officer. “PHC4’s report contains valuable information designed to help consumers make more informed decisions thereby improving the quality of care they receive and restraining the cost of health care in Pennsylvania.”
Geisinger Health Plan scored well in many of the measures. Some of the highest results in quality were related to its nationally accredited disease management program for members with diabetes. GHP scored higher than state and national averages in receiving A1c blood tests and eye exams in the past year and screening members with diabetes for cholesterol. The report also showed that Geisinger Health Plan was more effective in preventing hospitalizations through primary care for members with diabetes and hypertension.
GHP also scored higher than state and national averages in childhood immunizations, timely initiation of prenatal care, screening for breast and colorectal cancer and using beta-blockers after a heart attack.
In service measures, GHP had a higher percentage of members than the state average in: receiving approvals without delay, getting help from customer service and contacting customer service.
An independent state agency, PHC4 was created under Pennsylvania statute (Act 89) to collect, analyze and report data to the public about the cost and quality of health care in Pennsylvania. This is the eighth year PHC4 has reported on the quality of care that HMO networks offer.
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 208,000 members in 40 counties. Geisinger Health Plan members have access to complete health-care benefits ranging from preventive care and routine office visits to hospital care and major surgery. Coverage is available for businesses of all sizes, individuals and families, and Medicare beneficiaries. Self-funded and indemnity plans are sold through Geisinger Indemnity Insurance Company. PPO and high deductible plans are sold through Geisinger Quality Options, Inc.
To obtain a free copy of the report, please call (717) 232-6787 or visit www.phc4.org .
For more information, please contact
Amy Bowen, Public Relations Specialist, (570) 271-8135