NEWARK, N.J., Sept. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey (Horizon BCBSNJ) announced it has received notice from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) that Horizon HMO’s has been awarded an Excellent accreditation status -- the NCQA’s highest status.
The NCQA is a private, not-for-profit organization that began accrediting managed care companies in 1991. Each HMO is ranked based upon its Health Plan Employer Data and Information Set (HEDIS(R)) and Consumer Assessment of Health Plans (CAHPS(R)) scores.
“NCQA’s upgrade of Horizon HMO to Excellent status demonstrates that we are meeting our commitment to improving the health of our members,” said Horizon BCBSNJ President and CEO William J. Marino. “Horizon’s dedicated employees have focused on improving the quality of health care across New Jersey. The company’s innovative World Class Clinical Quality initiative has won a number of awards and this recognition from NCQA further validates the success of our efforts to work each day to make health care work for our members.”
In the 2003 New Jersey HMO Performance Report, Horizon HMO received the highest number of above-average scores of any HMO in New Jersey. This year, Horizon HMO HEDIS(R) scores improved in breast and cervical cancer screening, treatment for depression, and it received a 100% score for its members receiving beta blocker treatment after a heart attack.
“We are pleased that all our hard work is improving the quality of health care for our members and is showing up in NCQA measures,” said Dr. Richard Popiel, Vice President and Chief Medical Officer of Horizon BCBSNJ. “Horizon’s medical team is devoted to ensuring our members get the best evidenced-based health care possible and we will continue to pursue innovative ways to live up to and improve upon our Excellent status.”
Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, with headquarters in Newark, is New Jersey’s largest health insurer providing coverage to more than 2.9 million people. Horizon BCBSNJ’s company Web site is located at http://www.horizonblue.com/. Horizon BCBSNJ is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.
HEDIS(R) is a registered trademark of the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA). CAHPS(R) is a registered trademark of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ).
Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey
CONTACT: Tom Rubino of Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey,+1-973-466-8755, thomas_rubino@horizonblue.com
Web site: http://www.horizonblue.com/
