For Immediate Release
November 10, 2008
Geisinger Gold and Geisinger Health Plan rank #3 for Medicare and #5 for commercial health plans in the nation
DANVILLE, PA – Geisinger Health Plan and Geisinger Gold are the top-ranked commercial and Medicare health plans in Pennsylvania and among the top 10 commercial and Medicare health plans in the nation, according to the U.S.News & World Report / National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) America's Best Health Plans 2008 list.
"It's great to be recognized as one of the top ten Medicare and commercial health plans in the nation and the top plan in Pennsylvania because it means our members are healthier and more satisfied with their care and coverage," says Richard Gilfillan, M.D., president and CEO of Geisinger Health Plan. "Our ranking reflects the hard work of our employees and primary care providers to ensure that our members are getting the right care at the right time."
"We have always known that Geisinger Health Plan and Geisinger Gold stand for quality," says Duane Davis, M.D., vice president and chief medical officer of Geisinger Health Plan. "Whether we are calling members to remind them to get vaccinated or helping members schedule mammograms, our focus is on improving the health of our members. Being recognized as one of the top 10 health plans in the nation is the icing on the cake."
Geisinger Health Plan
Geisinger Health Plan was fifth out of 287 commercial plans in the nation and the top health plan in Pennsylvania. Geisinger Health Plan's ranking is based on consumer experience and the prevention and treatment of chronic diseases. GHP's accreditation status of "Excellent" from NCQA was the final factor in determining the ranking.
Geisinger Health Plan scored well in many measures, including being rated top in the nation for providing beta-blocker treatment to members following a heart attack. The Health Plan was also ranked among the top ten percent of health plans in the nation for more than six well-care visits for children up to age 15 months and adolescent well care visits; children's immunizations including Hepatitis B and tetanus; prenatal and postpartum care; and breast cancer screening.*
Geisinger Gold
Geisinger Gold was third out of 216 Medicare plans. The Medicare plan rankings were based on several quality measures released by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Geisinger Gold scored in the top ten percent of all Medicare plans in glaucoma screenings, monitoring kidney disease, controlling high blood pressure, breast cancer, osteoporosis management and persistence of medications.
Geisinger Health Plan, begun in 1985, is headquartered in Danville, PA. The Health Plan 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. Self-funded plans are sold through Geisinger Indemnity Insurance Company. PPO and high deductible plans are sold through Geisinger Quality Options, Inc.
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* The source for data contained in this publication is Quality Compass® 2008 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.
America's Best Health Plans 2008 is a trademark of U.S. News and World Report.
For more information, please contact
Amy Bowen, Public Relations Coordinator, (570) 271-8135