Press Release
Neighborhood Health Plan attains coveted
'Honor Roll' status two years running from
U.S.News & World Report/NCQA
Plan ranked #4 in Medicaid and in the top 50 Commercial health plans in America
Boston, MA - November 12, 2009 - Based on criteria that measures clinical performance and member satisfaction among 82 of the nation's Medicaid health insurance plans and 239 Commercial health insurance plans, Neighborhood Health Plan (NHP) ranked #4 in Medicaid and as one of the top 50 Commercial health plans in America according to a joint ranking by U.S. News & World Report and the National Committee for Quality Assurance(NCQA) in America's Best Health Insurance Plans 2009-10. This is the second year in a row that Neighborhood Health Plan has earned this distinction. The rankings, released today by U.S. News & World Report, also highlight Massachusetts' role as a leader in providing high quality, innovative, and effective health insurance products.
"There is a growing focus nationally on the importance of providing high quality, personalized care that is effective for both vulnerable populations and corporate clients alike," said Deborah C. Enos, President and CEO of NHP. "This is an area that has long been a focus for Neighborhood Health Plan and we are extremely proud of our national rankings. It is a testament of the commitment that both our clinical and administrative staff and our provider network have in creating a high quality patient experience."
NHP achieved its ranking by performing at the highest levels in a wide variety of fields, including: access to care, prevention efforts, and treatment of diseases such as diabetes and heart disease. Members were surveyed on their satisfaction to calculate an overall quality score. The final list of U.S. News/NCQA America's Best Health Plans 2009-10* was drawn from data submitted from hundreds of health plans throughout the country.
"Our longstanding commitment to excellence is well known to our members, state regulators, and corporate clients," said Paul Mendis, MD, Chief Medical Officer, of NHP. "Our fundamental goal is to help our providers and community health centers take steps every day to improve quality and the lives of the very diverse patient population we serve. This honor roll status reflects the intense focus we place on clinical care management, quality service measures, and continued commitment to the good health of our members."
The NCQA accreditation survey process includes on-site and off-site evaluations of more than 60 standards and selected HEDIS performance measures conducted by a team of physicians and managed care experts. A committee of physicians analyzes the team's finding and assigns an accreditation level based on the performance of the plan according to NCQA's standards.
NCQA is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to improving health care quality. NCQA accredits and certifies a wide range of health care organizations and recognizes physicians and physician groups in key clinical areas. NCQA's Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS®) is the most widely used performance measurement tool in health care.
Neighborhood Health Plan (NHP) provides health care programs and related services to individuals receiving benefits under Medicaid, through small business employer groups, and through Massachusetts' ground-breaking health care reform. Founded in 1986 by the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers and the Greater Boston Forum for Health Action, NHP serves nearly 200,000 members statewide and has been recognized as a national leader in care for medically complex and severely disabled populations.
The National Committee for Quality Assurance(NCQA) is a private, not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving health care quality. NCQA is committed to providing health care quality information through the web and the media in order to help consumers, employers and others make more informed health care choices.
* America's Best Health Insurance Plans is a trademark of U.S. News & World Report.
HEDIS is a registered trademark of NCQA.
Media Contact: Rhian Gregory - Neighborhood Health Plan - 617-620-0517