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Press Release: 2011

Select Health Awarded Multicultural Health Care Distinction

Company makes cultural and linguistic needs a priority to reduce healthcare disparities

Select Health of South Carolina today announced it received the prestigious Multicultural Health Care (MHC) Distinction from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA). NCQA is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to improving healthcare quality. Select Health operates South Carolina's largest Medicaid health plan, First Choice, and is the only organization in the state to receive the national distinction.

"Our goal is to provide members with access to quality healthcare," said Cindy Helling, executive director of Select Health. "We work diligently to ensure health-related information and services are tailored to meet the unique needs of our diverse membership."

NCQA developed the MHC Distinction as a way for health plans to monitor and improve culturally and linguistically appropriate services and reduce healthcare disparities. In order to earn the MHC Distinction, Select Health had to pass a rigorous examination of NCQA standards in the following areas:

• Race/Ethnicity and Language Data Collection
• Access and Availability of Language Services
• Practitioner Network Cultural Responsiveness
• Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Services Programs
• Reducing Health Care Disparities

Select Health also reviews Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS) and Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS) survey results to identify cultural and linguistic disparities among its member populations. Member outreach efforts are prioritized and implemented based on identified healthcare disparities.

For example, in 2009 Select Health identified a disproportionate number of Black women on its First Choice plan with diabetes. To improve the health of these members, Select Health implemented a culturally competent diabetes disease management program, Type You: First Choice Women in Control. Select Health began by examining cultural influences affecting self management of diabetes among its Black members. The data was used to create health education materials that addressed cultural barriers associated with self management of diabetes as well as internal training for staff nurses who work with Type You participants.

Post assessment survey results among Type You participants indicated high levels of satisfaction with mailings and other health information tailored to their cultural background. Participants' frequency of A1C and LDL testing remains regular and consistent following Type You program completion.

"Our cultural backgrounds play a huge role in the way we approach our health as well as the way we seek healthcare," said Helling. "By understanding our members' cultural backgrounds, we are able to customize our approach to disease management and ultimately improve health outcomes."

ABOUT SELECT HEALTH
Incorporated in 1995, Select Health was licensed as a Health Maintenance Organization by the South Carolina Department of Insurance in 1996. Later that year, the company contracted with the Department of Health and Human Services to offer First Choice, the state’s first Medicaid health plan. Select Health operates South Carolina's largest Medicaid health plan and is a wholly owned subsidiary of AmeriHealth Mercy. The AmeriHealth Mercy Family of Companies touches the lives of more than 7 million members nationwide. Select Health has more than 220 dedicated associates working throughout South Carolina. For more information, visit www.selecthealthofsc.com.