For Immediate Release
September 21, 2011
NCQA's Health Insurance Plan Rankings Released
Geisinger Health Plan, Geisinger Gold again tops in PA
DANVILLE, PA – For the fourth year in a row, Geisinger Health Plan (GHP) and Geisinger Gold are the top-ranked private and Medicare health plans in Pennsylvania.* Nationally, GHP's health maintenance organization (HMO) is ranked eighth and Geisinger Gold's HMO is ranked ninth for quality and service by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA).
NCQA ranked more than 483 private HMO and preferred provider organization (PPO) plans and more than 385 HMO and PPO Medicare plans. These lists are the only apples-to-apples comparison of health-care quality and customer satisfaction in the nation.
The 2011-2012 rankings mark the first time that PPO plans have been included since NCQA began issuing annual rankings six years ago. GHP's PPO was the second highest ranked plan in Pennsylvania and was ranked No. 17 nationally.
"Membership in PPO plans has been growing steadily over the past few years,"; says GHP President and CEO Jean Haynes. "While growth is important, it is equally important to us that PPO members have access to information regarding quality and customer satisfaction when choosing a plan that is best for them. We have worked hard to ensure that Geisinger Health Plan members receive better care, and these rankings are the result of our hard work.";
"These rankings are comparable to a health plan's report card,"; says Duane Davis, M.D., GHP Vice President and Chief Medical Officer. "High rankings such as those received by GHP send a message that our members ultimately receive better care. We have developed ways to ensure children see their doctors and receive important immunizations, and that adults remain on medications that prevent future heart attacks. We recognize how important it is to reach out to women to help them schedule screenings that detect breast and cervical cancer early. Our members want the best for their loved ones, and we work hard to deliver it.";
GHP offers a secure Web site to ensure members and their physicians receive information about recommended screenings and immunizations–just one of the valuable tools to ensure members remain healthy. When a member logs into the Health Plan's Web site, they are able to view a list of recommended preventive services. Physicians receive a list of members who are in need of screenings and immunizations so they can also follow up with members to ensure these services are scheduled.
About Geisinger Health Plan
Geisinger Health Plan, begun in 1985, is headquartered in Danville, Pa. The plan serves 270,000 members in 43 Pennsylvania counties. As part of the Geisinger Health System, GHP has been recognized nationally as a model for healthcare reform with documented success in innovative programs such as the patient-centered medical home. Benefits administration for self-funded employers is provided through "Geisinger Health Options," a program of GHP's affiliate, Geisinger Indemnity Insurance Company. For more information, please visit www.thehealthplan.com.
About the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA)
NCQA is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to improving health care quality. NCQA accredits and certifies a wide range of health-care organizations. It also recognizes clinicians and practices in key areas of performance. NCQA's Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS®) is the most widely used performance measurement tool in health care.
* NCQA's Private Health Insurance Plan Rankings 2011-2012 and NCQA's Medicare Health Insurance Plan Rankings 2011-2012. U.S. News/NCQA America's Best Health Insurance Plans 2007-2009 (annual). "America's Best Health Insurance Plans" is a trademark of U.S. News & World Report.
For more information, please contact
Amy Bowen, Public Relations Coordinator, (570) 271-8135
