Courage Center, Sister Kenny Rehabilitation Institute Develop Health Care Program for People with Disabilities.

Lifestyle Editors/Business Editors/Health/Medical Writers

MINNEAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 23, 2004

Axis Healthcare Model Designed to Meet Unique Needs,

Ensure Care and Reduce Costs

Through a partnership between Courage Center and Sister Kenny Rehabilitation Institute, a new program called AXIS Healthcare has been created to bring disability knowledge to the managed care industry. The partnership's intention with AXIS is that people, regardless of ability, will have the health care services and support they need to lead meaningful and productive lives.

"AXIS Healthcare is a revolutionary approach for persons with disabilities and the only model of its type in the country," said Chris Duff, CEO of AXIS Healthcare. "The AXIS model creates a health care delivery system where persons with disabilities have the right care at the right time so they are able to live their lives as they desire in their home and community. As simple as this sounds, this has seldom been the experience of our members before they joined our program."

Since it was implemented in 2001, the program has served persons with spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, cerebral palsy and multiple sclerosis. AXIS currently has 300 people enrolled. With the support of Medicaid and Medicare officials and consumer confidence, AXIS expects the number to rise to 900 people by the end of 2005.

"People with disabilities often have complex needs and multiple medical issues and use a large percentage of the health care dollar," said Duff. "They frequently rely on a number of doctors and specialists, who, unfortunately, may not talk to each other or know what the other is recommending. At AXIS, our goal is to help cut through the red tape and link people with the services they need in a timely manner. We also ensure that our consumers are engaged in their health care decisions."

The AXIS Healthcare service delivery model facilitates communication across providers, ensures that an individualized package of health services is in place, and engages consumers as active partners in the development of these plans. After two years in operation, hospitalizations have decreased almost 50 percent, with significantly improved consumer satisfaction.

"The concept of care coordination is not new, but seldom used with persons with spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis and other chronic disabling conditions," said Duff. "In part, it is because of a lack of expertise in these areas. The good news is, it's working at AXIS Healthcare because of the expertise of its founding partners - Courage Center and Sister Kenny Rehabilitation Institute - two leaders in the rehabilitation industry."

The concept for the program was developed in 1997, followed by a pilot from 1999 to 2001 and grants from the Center for Health Care Strategies and The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The voluntary managed care program started accepting enrollment in July 2001 and began delivering the program in September 2001. For people with disabilities, AXIS Healthcare partners with UCare Minnesota to offer a product called "UCare Complete" through Minnesota Disability Health Options (MnDHO).

The UCare Complete product offers the following approach:

   Active involvement by consumers in the coordination of their care;
   A network of providers experienced in working with people with
   disabilities;
   24-hour, 7-day-a-week access to knowledgeable clinicians;
   Use of early intervention and risk prevention strategies;
   Healthcare payments pooled into a single funding source,
   facilitating an integrated program of acute, primary and continuing
   care.

AXIS Healthcare is based in St. Paul, Minn. For more information, visit the web site at http://www.axishealth.com or call 651-556-0865.

About Sister Kenny Rehabilitation Institute

Sister Kenny Rehabilitation Institute is recognized as one of the most progressive and comprehensive rehabilitation centers in the nation. "Making Lives Work" has been the hallmark of the Institute for more than 60 years. Part of Allina Hospitals & Clinics, the Institute offers inpatient and outpatient medical, therapeutic, vocational and educational programs for people recovering from strokes, spinal cord and brain injuries, chronic pain, work-related injuries, and neurological or neuromuscular disorders. The Institute's satellite clinics offer physical therapy services and hand rehabilitation in convenient community settings.

About Courage Center

Courage Center is a nationally known not-for-profit rehabilitation and resource center for people with physical disabilities, brain injuries, speech or vision impairments, or hearing loss. Headquartered in Minneapolis, Courage Center offers comprehensive, life-long services to people of all ages. Courage Center's wide-ranging services are designed to empower people with disabilities to reach their full potential in every aspect of life. For more information about Courage Center and its 75 years of service, visit the Web site at http://www.courage.org.