Press Releases: 2009

Two AmeriHealth Mercy Medicaid Plans Receive URAC Accreditation for Disease Management for COPD

November 24, 2009
Philadelphia, PA – Two health plans of AmeriHealth Mercy Family of Companies received the URAC Disease Management Accreditation for their PerforMEDSM care management program for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). URAC, based in Washington, D.C., is an independent, nonprofit organization that promotes health care quality through certification and accreditation programs. Keystone Mercy Health Plan, based in Southeastern Pennsylvania, and AmeriHealth Mercy Health Plan, based in central and northeastern Pennsylvania, both received accreditations from URAC.

The URAC Disease Management Accreditation promotes quality and accountability in the management of chronic diseases for health plan members. The accreditation standards support evidence-based practice, collaborative relationships with providers, consumer education and shared-decision making.

“We applaud AmeriHealth Mercy Family of Companies on having two of its health plans achieve the URAC Disease Management in COPD,” said Alan P. Spielman, URAC president and CEO. “In today’s health care market, URAC accreditation provides a mark of distinction for organizations to demonstrate their commitment to quality health care.” 

COPD is a lung disease that causes narrowing or blockage of the airways. Many people who are diagnosed with COPD have been chronic smokers for multiple years. Keystone Mercy and AmeriHealth Mercy’s care coordination programs helps members with COPD work with their primary care physician to learn better ways to manage this condition. Both plans provide educational materials (self-monitoring charts, resource listings and self-care tips), information about COPD, and care coordination support to coordinate members’ needs. High-risk members are assigned a nurse care manager who works with members’ PCPs to set and achieve personal goals to improve their overall health and quality of life.

“AmeriHealth Mercy Family of Companies is pleased that two of its health plans received this accreditation from URAC. We take the care of our members very seriously and we are honored to be recognized as a leader in COPD management, especially when this illness can be so debilitating,” explained Eric J. Berman, DO, MS, Chief Medical Officer for the Northeastern Region of AmeriHealth Mercy Family of Companies.

Keystone Mercy and AmeriHealth Mercy each have also received URAC disease management accreditation for its heart failure, asthma and diabetes management programs.

About AmeriHealth Mercy Family of Companies
The AmeriHealth Mercy Family of Companies is a mission-driven organization, dedicated to ensuring the delivery of quality health care to low-income populations covered by publicly funded programs throughout the United States. With more than 20 years of experience exclusively serving the Medicaid population, AmeriHealth Mercy and its affiliates comprise the largest family of Medicaid managed care plans in the United States, touching the lives of more than 6.5 million members nationwide. For more information about AmeriHealth Mercy and its family of companies, please visit www.amerihealthmercy.com.