For Immediate Release
September 25, 2007
NCQA Releases State of Health Care Quality Report:
Geisinger Health Plan is rated #1 in country for persistent use of beta blockers
DANVILLE, PA – The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) released its annual State of Health Care Quality Report today.
The annual report is designed to provide benefit managers, health plans, consultants, the media, and others with easy access to comprehensive information about health plan quality and performance. The report is broken into two sections: the Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS®) which includes the measures of care and the Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS®) which measures member satisfaction.
HEDIS results
Geisinger Health Plan was rated number one in the country for providing beta-blocker treatment to members for six months following a heart attack. This therapy can reduce the risk of having another heart attack.
In addition, Geisinger Health Plan continues to surpass both state and national levels in several measures. GHP is above state and national averages in 48 measures calculated by NCQA.
Geisinger Health Plan scored in the 90th percentile in 14 of those measures. When a health plan scores in the 90th percentile, they are in the top 10 percent of all health plans in the nation on a specific measure. GHP received the rates for childhood Hepatitis B immunizations, childhood immunization combo #3, adolescent immunization combo #2 (measles, mumps and rubella; Hepatitis B; and chicken pox), use of asthma medications for adolescents ages 10 to 17, annual monitoring for members using medications for heart conditions and high blood pressure (ACE/ARB, digoxin and diuretics) and seizures (anticonvulsants) during the year and access for at least six well child visits for children during their first 15 months.
GHP was also rated number one in Pennsylvania for 12 of the measures including screening for breast cancer and kidney disease in members with diabetes.
CAHPS results
In a separate section of the Quality Compass report that measures customer satisfaction, Geisinger Health Plan scored in the 90th percentile on three measures; how well doctors communicate and members’ rating of their individual doctor and specialist. In addition to these measures, the results from the CAHPS survey also show members rate Geisinger Health Plan higher than state and national averages in getting needed care.
“The results of this survey prove our dedication to providing our members with the right care,” says Duane Davis, M.D., vice president and chief medical officer at Geisinger Health Plan. “This is the twelfth year that Geisinger Health Plan has provided NCQA with information on its clinical performance. By choosing to provide the public with this information, we are holding ourselves accountable, and in essence, making substantial contributions toward improving our health-care system.”
Begun in 1985, Geisinger Health Plan is one of the nation’s largest rural HMOs and serves more than 209,000 members in 42 counties throughout northeastern and central Pennsylvania. Geisinger Health Plan has held the highest accreditation level from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) since 1993. 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.
For more information on NCQA, CAHPS® or Quality Compass®, please visit NCQA’s Web site at www.ncqa.org or contact Amy Bowen, Public Relations Coordinator at (570) 271-8135.
The source for data contained in this publication is Quality Compass® 2007 and is used with the permission of the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA). Any analysis, interpretation, or conclusion based on these data is solely that of the authors, and NCQA specifically disclaims responsibility for any such analysis, interpretation, or conclusion. Quality Compass is a registered trademark of NCQA.
*NCQA is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to improving health care quality.
*HEDIS® is a registered trademark of the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA).
*CAHPS® is a registered trademark of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.
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For more information, please contact
Amy Bowen, Public Relations Coordinator, (570) 271-8135