Successful Programs Make Health Management Corp. One of Top 10 Disease Management Companies in America.

Business Editors/Health & Medical Writers

Report Sponsored By Health Industries Research Companies

RICHMOND, Va.--(BW HealthWire)--Aug. 24, 2001

Richard Roe has Type 2 diabetes, a condition that causes glucose to build up in the blood instead of going into cells.

This can lead to an immediate loss of energy and, over time, can damage the eyes, kidneys, nerves or heart. But Roe has made progress to control his condition and avoid complications, thanks to the diabetes program at Health Management Corp., an affiliate company of Trigon Blue Cross Blue Shield. Nurse case managers assist members through a structured plan based on individual assessment results and the member's goals. The overarching goal of the plan is to reduce severity and increase control and self-management of the disease.

The program "has had a dramatic impact on my life," Roe says. "From the very first call, the nurse was extremely supportive and encouraging...focusing on what I could do to improve myself and lessen or eliminate future complications," he wrote in a letter to HMC. "Due directly to the nurse's advice and encouragement, my diabetes and cholesterol problem are under control. (Her) advice and encouragement have allowed me to make the progress I have made."

A strong customer satisfaction rating is just one of the reasons Health Management Corp. (HMC) has earned a spot in this year's list of Top 10 disease management companies in America in a report sponsored by Health Industries Research Companies.

The report ranked companies based on data submitted by recognized disease management vendors concerning communications and data collection, grouping of cases based on severity, Web site capabilities, nurse staffing ratios, outcomes and other pertinent categories. The data was then compared against each company's actual market performance and their answers submitted for earlier proposals.

"We are very pleased to be recognized as one of the best disease management companies in America," said HMC President Marcia Rowan. "This citation highlights the fact that our programs are indeed generating strong value for our clients and making a real difference in thousands of lives. HMC has been an innovator since the early days of the industry, and we will continue to offer enhanced products and services to meet the evolving needs of our clients."

Health Industries Research Companies' disease management report, and a companion biometric monitoring survey from the same data, are both available through the Wellesley, Mass.-based Disease Management Purchasing Consortium, (www.dismgmt.com) which contributed to the report.

HMC's disease management programs feature a sophisticated risk identification process for grouping participants by severity and compliance levels, collaboration with physicians for participants who are not following their treatment plan and pharmacy counseling to help ensure that members are taking their medication regularly and appropriately. Programs are also fully integrated with other HMC health management programs to enable consistent, longitudinal management of participants. Other HMC programs include Baby Benefits(R) maternity management, employee and member assistance programs, health risk appraisal, population assessment, and a 24-hour Nurse Line accredited by the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission/URAC.

Founded in 1983 and a subsidiary of Trigon Healthcare Inc., Health Management Corp. is the recipient of two C. Everett Koop National Health Awards for programs demonstrating excellence in health performance and cost savings for clients through improved health outcomes. For more information about HMC, call [phone], or visit the company's Web site at www.choosehmc.com.