Consensus Health Announces Contracts With Two of New York's Premier Health Plans.

EMERYVILLE, Calif.--(BW HealthWire)--Dec. 9, 1999--

Members of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Western New York 

and Blue Shield of Northeastern New York 

Can Now Easily Access Popular CAM Programs

Members of two of New York's premier health plans, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Western New York and Blue Shield of Northeastern New York, will now have easy access to alternative medicine including acupuncture, massage therapy, spas/fitness centers and personal trainers, as well as discounts on healthful meals from local restaurants.

The health plans have engaged Consensus Health Corp., the first company to create credentialed multispecialty provider networks for major health plans.

Consensus Health, based in California, contracts with leading health plans in California; Maryland; Washington, D.C.; and North Carolina. Consensus' national network of alternative practitioners is available to both Blues' plan members when they travel anywhere Consensus has an established network.

"Alternative medicine is a complement to traditional medicine. It's another way to enhance your health. We wanted to make it easier for our members to use alternative therapies," stated Cynthia Ambres, M.D., chief medical officer for the two Blues' plans participating in the program.

"We are very pleased to have been selected to be the CAM provider for these two health plans," said Alan Kittner, Consensus Health president and chief executive officer. "With these new contracts, our company is providing CAM services to more than 7 million people throughout the United States."

According to the Journal of American Medicine, 42 percent of adults used at least one form of alternative medicine in 1997. In that same year, 629 million people visited an alternative-medicine practitioner.

The Alternative Medicine program will begin Feb. 1, 2000, and is for members with both managed-care and indemnity health coverage.

Members make appointments directly with practitioners and receive substantial discounts on services including 25 percent for acupuncture and massage therapies and 15 percent for personal trainers, fitness clubs and spas. Additionally, members will receive a 15 percent discount on healthful meals from specific restaurants.

"We know that more people are engaged in their own health and interested in alternative therapies such as massage and acupuncture. The program includes spas, fitness centers, personal trainers and healthy eating because it encourages individuals to improve their health through diet and exercise," stated Ambres.

Consensus Health will thoroughly screen and credential all practitioners in the program. The company is noted for creating selection criteria and programs that mirror those of the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), an independent not-for-profit organization that evaluates managed-care companies.

Practitioners are reviewed by a team of peers on a wide range of guidelines relating to quality, availability of services, facilities and location.

Consensus Health, based in Emeryville, was established in 1996 by a group of leading complementary and alternative medicine, managed-care and conventional health-care professionals. As of the first of the year, more than 7 million people will have access to its network throughout the United States. For more information, call 510/285-2000.

HealthNow NY Inc. (HealthNow) is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. HealthNow is a not-for-profit corporation with three divisions covering 53 counties across New York state and includes Buffalo-based Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Western New York; Blue Shield of Northeastern New York, based in Albany; and the Binghamton-based Upstate Medicare Part B Claims Processing Division.

HealthNow serves some 750,000 New Yorkers through traditional and managed-care coverage, and more than 1.6 million through Medicare Part B Claims administration.