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Press Release: 2011

Coordinated Care Leads to Better Health for S.C. Medicaid Recipients

Select Health's proven approach is improving health outcomes

Select Health of South Carolina today announced its ability to provide quality access to healthcare is improving the health outcomes of its First Choice members. Each year, Select Health collects information from claims and medical records to determine how its members compare to the national Medicaid population on a set of standard performance metrics called HEDIS® (Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set). This year, Select Health continues to show significant improvement and compares favorably to national standards on important health measures associated with prenatal health, cancer screening, diabetes control, childhood immunizations and well visits.

"We are committed to providing our members with superior access to quality healthcare" said Cindy Helling, executive director of Select Health. "These improvements are a reflection of the work of our providers and associates as well as the commitment of our members to improve their health."

Select Health provides its First Choice members with help managing their health or chronic diseases through its case management programs. Healthy Moms and Babies is one of Select Health's most well-known and successful case management programs. Healthy Moms and Babies supports members throughout pregnancy by pairing them with a nurse, sending tailored educational materials, providing reminders for doctor's appointments and more. The program continues until a child turns one.

This continuity of care allows case managers to impact various elements of HEDIS® measured health outcomes including the timeliness of prenatal care, frequency of ongoing prenatal care, postpartum care between 21 and 56 days after delivery and childhood immunizations. As a result, Select Health's outcomes in each of these key measures are above the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) Southeast Region 50th percentile.    
 
View Select Health’s complete listing of HEDIS® Results

Earlier this year the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) awarded the First Choice health plan with its highest accreditation status of Excellent for service and clinical quality that met or exceeded NCQA's rigorous requirements for consumer protection and quality improvement. Since that time, First Choice has also become one of the first plans in the country to achieve NCQA's Multicultural Healthcare Distinction.

Select Health is a mission-driven organization that operates South Carolina's oldest and largest Medicaid health plan, First Choice. The company's mission is to help people get care, stay well and build healthy communities. Select Health is responsible for coordinating the care of more than 219,000 First Choice members.

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 serves three million members nationwide. Select Health has more than 215 dedicated associates working throughout South Carolina. For more information, visit www.selecthealthofsc.com.