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Medical Informatics
Disease Management |
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CareSource Contracts
With LifeMasters to Support Service Offering to Aged, Blind,
Disabled Beneficiaries in Ohio
Other Topics:
Chemical Database,
Telemedicine Initiative
PRNewswire
March 26, 2007
San Francisco, CA & Dayton, OH -- LifeMasters Supported SelfCare,
Inc., a national leader in providing disease management programs
and services, and CareSource, a managed care organization that
provides health care benefits for Medicaid recipients in Ohio,
announced today that they have signed an agreement to provide
care management services to aged, blind and/or disabled (ABD)
Medicaid beneficiaries in Ohio.
Under the new contract, ABD members enrolled in CareSource will
have access to LifeMasters' care management programs to improve
their health outcomes and learn how to better manage
their chronic conditions. Conditions covered include coronary
artery disease, congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease, diabetes, hypertension and asthma. |
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"We chose
LifeMasters because of their ongoing commitment and track record
in providing exceptional care management services to underserved
Medicaid populations," said Candi Freil, senior vice president
of Care Management at CareSource. "We are excited about offering
these needed services to our aged, blind and/or disabled members
and look forward to integrating the LifeMasters programs with
our diverse spectrum of benefits."
Freil has implemented a continuum of care model at CareSource
that provides case management services to members at all levels
of health. The LifeMasters model provides the expertise required
in multiple areas along this continuum.
Program participants will receive coaching and regular
telephonic support from their own personal health coach. They
will learn how to monitor their vital signs and symptoms to
detect early changes in their health status, such as blood
glucose levels, and blood pressure. An integral part of the
program includes integrating the members' physicians by alerting
them to significant changes in their patient's health between
office visits so they can intervene early to avoid emergency
room visits and hospitalizations.
"We are looking forward to partnering with CareSource so that
together we can have an impact on the health of Ohio Medicaid
beneficiaries," said David R. Strand, president and chief
executive officer of LifeMasters. "By providing individuals with
the education and tools they need to better manage their health,
we hope to jointly work to help individuals achieve and maintain
optimal health while reducing medical costs for all."
Currently, LifeMasters provides disease management programs to
dually- eligible (Medicaid/Medicare) beneficiaries in Florida
through a CMS demonstration project to Medicaid beneficiaries in
Texas, New Mexico, and Georgia, in partnership with Medicaid
managed care organizations, and other Ohioans in partnership
with retirement organizations.
About CareSource
CareSource is a nonprofit health plan founded on the principles
of quality and service, delivered with compassion and a thorough
understanding of the Medicaid consumer. By staying true to its
mission of making a difference in the lives of underserved
people by improving their health care, CareSource has become one
of the largest and fastest growing Medicaid managed care plans
in the nation. CareSource now serves more than 520,000 Medicaid
consumers in Ohio. With a strong focus on preventative care,
CareSource utilizes a continuum of care model that provides case
management services to members at all stages of health and
illness. In addition to all required services, CareSource offers
extra benefits such as a 24-hour nurse advice line,
transportation to doctor's appointments, and a variety of care
management programs. For additional information about CareSource,
visit http://www.caresource-ohio.com/.
CareSource is serviced by CareSource Management Group, which
offers a full spectrum of services for the administration of
public-sector health care programs. Among these services are
general administration, including claims processing, case and
medical management, provider relations, decision support
informatics, quality improvement and regulatory compliance;
member services, including a member call center and 24-hour
nurse advice line; and financial consultation and turnaround.
About LifeMasters Supported SelfCare
LifeMasters Supported SelfCare, Inc. is a leading provider of
disease management programs and services that create health
partnerships among individuals, their physicians and payors. Its
mission is to empower individuals to achieve and maintain
optimal health. The programs improve quality of care for people
with chronic illnesses, reduce chronic-disease costs for payors
and provide decision-support tools for physicians. LifeMasters
offers programs for individuals with diabetes, congestive heart
failure (CHF), coronary artery disease (CAD), chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) hypertension and asthma
(all of which are fully accredited by the National Committee for
Quality Assurance (NCQA) and URAC), cancer metabolic syndrome
and musculo-skeletal pain. LifeMasters' programs are
holistically focused, support co-morbidities such as depression
and facilitate lifestyle changes such as smoking cessation and
weight loss. LifeMasters provides services to more than 600,000
people throughout the nation.
Founded in 1994 by a physician, LifeMasters works with some of
the nation's leading health plans, employers, retirement systems
and governmental organizations, including Aetna, BlueCross
BlueShield of Tennessee, State Teachers Retirement System of
Ohio, Presbyterian Health Services in New Mexico, and CMS. More
information about LifeMasters can be found at http://www.lifemasters.com/.
Source: LifeMasters Supported SelfCare,
Inc.; CareSource |
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