- Program Utilizes NCQA Recognition Program -
TRUMBULL, Conn., June 24 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Oxford Health Plans,
Inc. (NYSE: OHP) today introduced the Oxford Diabetes Best Practices Network,
a program targeting members who have chronically uncontrolled diabetes through
collaboration with primary care physicians (PCPs) and diabetic specialists in
Oxford's network
"We believe that getting members to the right physicians is critical in
enabling our members to achieve their optimal state of health and well-being,
and Oxford can be a catalyst in that process," said Alan M. Muney, executive
vice president and chief medical officer at Oxford. "Oxford uses data to
isolate high-cost, high-volume disease categories, such as diabetes, to engage
physicians in meaningful member care programs. By working more closely with
physicians, we can improve the health of our members while better managing
healthcare costs."
For the initial phase, Oxford identified more than 250 diabetic members in
six New York counties -- New York, Queens, Richmond, Bronx, Nassau and
Westchester counties -- who had HbA1c levels significantly above the standard
for diabetic control. These members also had not seen endocrinologists in a
significant period of time. PCPs with high-risk diabetic members in their
panels will receive lists of endocrinologists in New York who have received or
will soon apply for recognition from the National Committee for Quality
Assurance (NCQA) for the quality of care they provide diabetics. Physicians
will be encouraged to contact these members to arrange visits with
NCQA-recognized endocrinologists in order to discuss diabetes management.
Oxford will help facilitate these visits
NCQA, in conjunction with the American Diabetes Association, created the
Diabetes Physician Recognition Program (DPRP). DPRP is a voluntary program
for individual physicians or physician groups who provide care to people with
diabetes. Physicians can achieve recognition by submitting data that
demonstrates they are providing quality diabetes care. NCQA assesses 11 key
measures for care of adults and eight key measures included in its Diabetes
Quality Improvement Project.
Following outcomes analysis, Oxford will expand this program to a greater
number of diabetic members. Oxford is currently developing best practices
programs using a similar methodology for congestive heart failure to be
launched later this year.
"I have spent most of my professional life caring for people with diabetes
and believe that it is fast becoming the world's greatest healthcare
challenge," said Daniel L. Lorber, M.D., F.A.C.P, C.D.E., medical director of
The Diabetes Care and Information Center of New York in Flushing. "While
there is no single answer and currently no cure, getting people to manage
their diabetes better is critical. Enabling the physicians to proactively
seek out at-risk members and take action is invaluable." Dr. Lorber was a
member of the team of endocrinologists that helped Oxford create this
initiative.
Oxford began its diabetic disease management program in 1997. To date,
more than 35,000 members have been diagnosed with diabetes. Oxford's diabetes
program includes self-help manuals to members, clinical guideline updates for
physicians, reminder mailings for diabetic-appropriate tests for members and
case management for high-risk diabetics.
Founded in 1984, Oxford Health Plans, Inc. provides health plans to
employers and individuals in New York, New Jersey and Connecticut, through its
direct sales force, independent insurance agents and brokers. In the year
2002, the company received an Excellent Accreditation from the National
Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), an independent, non-profit
organization dedicated to improving managed care quality and service.
Oxford's services include traditional health maintenance organizations (HMOs),
point-of-service (POS) plans, preferred provider organization (PPO) plans,
third-party administration of employer-funded benefits and Medicare plans.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release may contain comments that are considered
forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable federal securities
laws and are based upon Oxford's current expectations and assumptions, which
are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual
results to materially differ from those anticipated. A discussion of those
risks and uncertainties is included in the discussion under
"Business - Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" in the
Oxford annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002,
and the quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, June
20 and September 30, 2002.
SOURCE Oxford Health Plans, Inc.
 back to top
Related links:
http://www.oxfordhealth.com
Company News On-Call:
http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/104612.html
CONTACT:
Maria Gordon Shydlo of Oxford Health Plans,
Inc., +1-203-459-7674, mshydlo@oxfordhealth.com
|
