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Great-West Healthcare Awarded Best Disease Management Program
DENVER, CO, October 30, 2003—Great-West Healthcare, a premier national employee benefits provider that specializes in self-funded plans, was recently awarded the Best Disease Management Program for a national PPO by the Disease Management Association of America (DMAA), the official industry association. Great-West Healthcare’s year-after-year solid results for its programs to treat members with chronic diseases, as well as the innovative programs it introduced this year, earned the company this distinction.
"Great-West Healthcare has demonstrated a truly innovative approach in designing their disease management programs," said Al Lewis, founder and past president of the Disease Management Association of America. "All programs and all aspects are tightly integrated so that the interface is seamless to the member as well as to the many internal systems including claims payment and customer service. They have made major improvements over the last few years to become the clear leader among the independent national PPOs."
The award was given to the company that, in 2002-2003, demonstrated outstanding commitment to disease management, employing science in the design of the program, excellence in implementation, and favorable outcomes using carefully designed measurement methodology. "This award represents our accomplishments and commitment to working with providers and members to manage chronic diseases," said Terry Fouts, M.D., chief medical officer, Great-West Healthcare. "Not only does quality of care go up, but we can demonstrate a positive return on investment for clients in our suite of disease management programs."
The company ensures that all employer groups have access to the program and noted that participation has led to an increase in appropriate physician office visits, pharmacy usage and decreased hospital stays for program participants. One of the major differentiators in Great-West Healthcare’s disease management program is the integrated approach to caring for its members. A Great-West Healthcare primary care nurse works closely with the providers and vendors to ensure everyone is communicating and the appropriate information is being exchanged so that the health care needs of the members are met.
In designing the program, the company made sure that measurement tools were in place –guaranteeing that disease management partners are measured not only on financial outcomes, but also on quality outcomes. Great-West Healthcare has a guarantee in place with its best in class partners to ensure that these outcomes are due to improvements in care and comfort level as opposed to premature discharge or inappropriate denials.
In 2003, Great-West Healthcare introduced new disease management programs for neonatology and oncology. Looking forward to 2004, Great-West Healthcare will strengthen its disease management focus further with the introduction of pain management, depression management, and other targeted programs. "It’s our goal to continue to be the leader in the field with these programs," said Fouts, "and to deliver innovative ways that our customers can see positive clinical outcomes from their participation in these programs."
Great-West Healthcare, a division of Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Company, is a national employee benefits provider with expertise in self-funding and health care management solutions. Nationally, the division operates a health care network that includes more than 4,600 hospitals and 400,000 physicians and provides health care coverage to approximately 1.95 million people. Visit http://www.greatwesthealthcare.com for more information.
Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Company, headquartered in metro-Denver, serves its customers through a full range of health care plans, life and disability insurance, annuities, and retirement savings products and services. It is an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of Great-West Lifeco Inc. and a member of the Power Financial Corporation group of companies.
Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Company is not licensed to do business in New York. Products are sold in New York by its subsidiary First Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Company, Albany, N.Y.
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