LANSING, Mich., June 11 /PRNewswire/ -- Improving quality and reducing health care costs underscore the importance of Michigan’s health care plans in the health care system. Seven Michigan HMOs received MAHP Pinnacle Awards for Best Practices at an awards ceremony on June 8 in Lansing. This year the Association inaugurated a new category to recognize outstanding providers of diabetes care: Innovations in Diabetes Health Care. Rep. Barbara Vander Veen has said about the Pinnacle Awards: “What a rewarding experience to watch healthcare providers receive recognition for their innovative programs in healthcare. It is important to create opportunities to highlight the wonderful services our healthcare providers offer.”
The plan awards have three main categories, each of which has two subcategories. The award-wining Michigan health plans are:
HEALTH CARE PROGRAMS Commercial: Grand Valley Health Plan, for Improving the Management of Diabetes, to improve the process of diabetes health care in the front line Medicaid: Molina Health Care, Inc., for Baby Steps Towards Health, a program to provide early interventions for children with developmental delays COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS/OUTREACH Single Plan: Physicians Health Plan - Mid-Michigan, for Healthy Ears to improve care for acute otitis media (ear infections) through a community-based health focus program Multiple Plans: HealthPlus of Michigan, Great Lakes Health Plan, and The (collaborative Ezekiel Project, for the Ezekiel Project Lead Screening effort among Initiative, to increase lead testing in the community many plans) BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION/OPERATIONS Commercial: Health Alliance Plan, for Provider Reconciliation Process, to reduce outstanding provider accounts receivables Medicaid: McLaren Health Plan, for Let’s Connect, a program to help provide more effective care for the aged, blind and disabled
“The increasingly sophisticated use of technology in measurement and data collection reflected in the entries was remarkable,” noted Julie Griffith, Director of Government Affairs, Michigan Osteopathic Association. Michigan’s health plans have long been committed to providing high quality care for their members. “The breadth and depth of not only the award winning projects but also of all the submissions underscores the continuing commitment of Michigan managed care in serving their members,” stated Richard Murdock, Executive Director of MAHP.
This year for the first time the Association expanded the awards to include Michigan’s provider community. Reflecting managed care’s commitment to improving chronic disease care through the MAHP Foundation, Innovations in Diabetes Health Care was chosen as the first category to be included in the Pinnacle Awards for providers. As MAHP set the parameters for this award, it recognized that the issues for rural and urban providers varied so dramatically that comparison of the dynamics involved was not possible. For that reason, there are two Pinnacle Awards in this category:
INNOVATIONS IN DIABETES CARE
Cadillac Family Physicians: Intensifying Diabetes Care in Rural Primary Care
Henry Ford Hospital: Diabetic Health Enhancement Clinic
“This recognition of high quality diabetes health care underscores the commitment by so many in the Michigan health care community to work aggressively against the ravages of diabetes,” said Kevin Kelly, managing director of the Michigan State Medical Society. “We can and will strive for the best possible health outcomes for people with diabetes.” A Special Recognition Award in the provider category was presented to Dr. Brenda Rogers- Grays, D.O. “for her commitment to professional excellence in diabetes care and her personal dedication as a Community Champion to advocate for the highest standards of care for people with diabetes.
The winners were chosen by an independent panel of experts: * Mr. Tom Bissonette, Executive Director, Michigan Nurses Association * Ms. Julie Griffith, Director Legislative Affairs, Michigan Osteopathic Association * Dr. Douglas Henry, pediatric endocrinologist, Sparrow Regional Children’s Center * The Honorable Gilda Jacobs, Senator, Michigan Senate * Mr. Greg Jamian, Oakland County Commissioner * Dr. Dorothy Kahkonen, internal medicine * Mr. Kevin Kelly, Managing Director, Michigan State Medical Society * Ms. Janet Olszewski, Director, Michigan Department of Community Health * Mr. John Reurink, Jr., Michigan Information and Research Services, Inc. (MIRS) * Ms. Kim Sibilisky, Executive Director, Michigan Primary Care Association * The Honorable Shelley Taub, Representative, Michigan House of Representatives * The Honorable Barbara Vander Veen, Representative, Michigan House of Representatives
Rep. Shelley Taub remarked on the strength of the many submissions: “I was excited to be a part of the judging for the Pinnacle Awards for 2004. The applicants put a lot of time and effort into putting together innovative plans to strengthen clinical and operating efficiencies. As a judge, I saw this firsthand and want to commend all those who submitted applications.”
The many programs can be reviewed in the Pinnacle Awards booklet available from MAHP and at the MAHP website: http://www.mahp.org/MIHealthPlans/mihmos.htm
Michigan Association of Health Plans
CONTACT: Richard Murdock, Executive Director, or Gail Campana, DirectorEducation/Communications, of Michigan Association of Health Plans,+1-517-371-3181
