| Louisville, KY -
Passport Health Plan’s actual costs fell below the state’s
estimates for non-managed care in the region accounting for accumulated
savings of $92.4 million over the four years of operations. The report
prepared by Milliman, USA Consultants and Actuaries, predicted that
managed care cost trends will continue to be lower than statewide Medicaid
trends, producing savings each year.
At the same time, and even more important to the Medicaid population
in Jefferson and the surrounding 15 counties, Passport has implemented
new innovative programs that were not available to Medicaid recipients
under the state’s previous fee-for-service program.
One such program, “Mommy and Me,” has offered prenatal
programs, resulting in women receiving access to early prenatal care,
and increased frequency of ongoing care including postpartum care.
Also, through Passport’s Early Periodic Screening Diagnosis
and Treatment (EPSDT) program, compliance for preventive screenings
and immunizations have improved from 17 percent before the new program
began in 1997 to 50 percent today. Passport ranks above the Medicaid
national average in areas such as prenatal care in the first trimester,
frequency of prenatal care and postpartum visits. Passport also ranks
above the Medicaid national average in childhood immunizations and
well child visits in the first 15 months of life as reported by the
National Committee for Quality Assurance through the Health Plan
Employer Data and Information Set.
Other quality management programs, outreach activities and member
services initiatives unavailable previously to Medicaid recipients
include a 24-hour nurse advice line and nurse case management program
for members with special health care needs.
Dr. Larry N. Cook, Chairman of the Board of University Health Care
said, “ We owe our success to the support we have received
from providers in our area and to the dedication and commitment of
the organizations that created this program. We are very gratified
that our hard work has paid off for the people of our region.”
Joyce Hagen Schifano, President of Passport Health Plan said, “This
information clearly shows that this plan is working. Our members
have a high level of satisfaction and new opportunities for improved
health. Our provider networks are stable, and we have produced significant
savings for the Commonwealth’s taxpayers.”
Passport Health Plan provides Medicaid managed care services for
over 118,000 members in Jefferson and the 15 surrounding counties.
Counties of service include Breckinridge, Bullitt, Carroll, Grayson,
Hardin, Henry, Jefferson, Larue, Marion, Meade, Nelson, Oldham, Shelby,
Spencer, Trimble, and Washington. Passport Health Plan is owned by
University Health Care, Inc. UHC, Inc. contracts with AmeriHealth
Mercy Health Plan of Philadelphia to administer the program. AmeriHealth
Mercy and its affiliated health plans comprise the largest multi-state
Medicaid managed care organization in the United States. Through
its ownership, affiliation or management, AmeriHealth Mercy touches
the lives of nearly 800,000 Medicaid and State Children’s Health
Insurance Program (SCHIP) members in five states including Pennsylvania,
New Jersey, Missouri, Kentucky, and South Carolina. AmeriHealth Mercy
Health Plan is a healthcare ministry of the Sisters of Mercy in affiliation
with AmeriHealth HMO, Inc. |
