| Copyright: | PR Newswire | | Source: | PR Newswire | | Wordcount: | 701 |
MT. LAUREL, N.J., Feb. 7 /PRNewswire/ -- AmeriHealth today announced it
has added the gastrointestinal disorder known as Crohn's disease to its suite
of disease management programs that serves more than 200,000 of its members.
AmeriHealth offers the broadest array of specialized, fully accredited
disease management programs in the region. With the expansion of its disease
management programs, the company now provides support and educational services
to its members and their physicians for 22 chronic conditions.
Crohn's disease is an incurable, chronic disorder that causes inflammation
of the digestive or gastrointestinal (GI) tract. It most commonly affects the
small intestine and colon, although it can involve any area of the GI tract.
The cause of the disease is still unknown.
AmeriHealth's Connections(SM) disease management program helps members
with Crohn's disease in several ways:
-- Educates members about early symptom awareness, importance of complying with their therapy, and reducing risk factors. -- Reduces Crohn's disease complications such as infections, fluid and electrolyte imbalance. -- Prevents certain complications from surgery and recovery period. (About three-fourths of Crohn's disease patients have surgery during the course of the condition and almost half need repeat surgery).
"With Connections, members will find the tools and support to help them
make informed health care decisions they feel good about, while strengthening
their relationship with their doctors," said Allan Goldstein, MD, vice
president and regional medical director at AmeriHealth. "Crohn's disease can
be debilitating, but with information and specialized care, members can take
control of their condition to take charge of their health and their lives."
AmeriHealth's suite of disease management programs provide support for 22
conditions - five common chronic diseases such as asthma and diabetes, offered
through an alliance with Health Dialog; end-stage renal disease, in
collaboration with RMS Disease Management Services; and 16 complex chronic
diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis, and the recently
added Crohn's disease, offered through Accordant Health Services, a Caremark
company.
The Connections programs recently received national recognition from the
Disease Management Association of America when they were awarded the "2006
Disease Management Leadership Award for Outstanding Health Plan" for
innovative program design, successful plan implementation, and outstanding
performance in measuring positive, proven health outcomes.
About AmeriHealth
AmeriHealth, Inc., a growing group of health care plans with its base in
the states of New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware, has grown to more than
265,000 members since its inception in 1995.
AmeriHealth companies have been recognized for their commitment to
providing high-quality products. AmeriHealth HMO of New Jersey and Delaware's
AmeriHealth HMO have received the highest possible accreditation by the
national leader in HMO quality evaluation. The National Committee for Quality
Assurance (NCQA) has awarded both HMOs "Excellent" status for meeting its
rigorous evaluation standards.
About Accordant Health Services
Accordant Health Services, Inc., a Caremark company, provides health plans
and employers with single-source health management solutions that lead to
optimal health outcomes and greater satisfaction. A recognized leader in
delivering disease management services for complex conditions, Accordant has
leveraged the strengths of its disease management protocols with those of
Caremark, which brings 10 years of common chronic disease management expertise
to the marketplace.
Accordant empowers plan participants to make wise healthcare choices and
adhere to their treatment regimens through a comprehensive approach, including
disease management, HRA, wellness programs and case management. For more
information about Accordant, visit http://www.accordant.net or call 1-800-948-
2497.
About Caremark Rx, Inc.
Caremark Rx, Inc. is a leading pharmaceutical services company, providing
through its affiliates comprehensive drug benefit services to health plan
sponsors and their plan participants throughout the U.S. The company's clients
include corporate health plans, managed care organizations, insurance
companies, unions, government agencies and other funded benefit plans. In
addition, Caremark is a national provider of drug benefits to eligible
beneficiaries under the Medicare Part D program. The company operates a
national retail pharmacy network with over 60,000 participating pharmacies,
seven mail service pharmacies, the industry's only FDA-regulated repackaging
plant and 21 licensed specialty pharmacies for delivery of advanced
medications to individuals with chronic or genetic diseases and disorders.
Additional information about Caremark is available at
http://www.caremarkrx.com or in the company's Forms 10-K, 10-Q and other SEC
filings.
SOURCE AmeriHealth, Inc.
CONTACT: Liz Williams, AmeriHealth, +1-215-241-2220
This is a news service of Thomson Business Intelligence Service ©2006. This content is for your personal use only, subject to Terms and Conditions. No redistribution allowed.
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