For Immediate Release
Silver Spring, Maryland
September 25, 2007
APS Healthcare Receives National DMAA Award for Best Government Program
APS Healthcare, one of the country’s leading specialty healthcare companies, today announced that it received the national disease management leadership award as Best Government Program from DMAA: The Care Continuum Allicance (DMAA). This award recognizes APS’ Georgia Enhanced Care program, a comprehensive disease management program that serves more than 48,000 aged, blind and disabled members in Northern Georgia.
“The Georgia Enhanced Care program focuses on educating Medicaid members about disease management, which in turn leads to a more effective treatment plan and a healthier quality of life,” said Gov. Sonny Perdue.
“Georgia Enhanced Care can make a difference in the lives of the populations served,” said Rhonda Medows, MD, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Community Health. “APS has been a key contributor to the program’s success by implementing innovative strategies and approaches targeted at improving the lives of Georgia’s most vulnerable Medicaid members.”
APS’ innovative community-based care management model, which places health coaches and nurse care managers in community health centers and local healthcare facilities, has improved the effectiveness of disease management. APS uses a decentralized, collaborative care model to improve Medicaid beneficiary and provider engagement in care management programs, increase compliance with recommended care plans and improve care coordination.
“APS’ forward-thinking, innovative program in Georgia is critical to improving health and lowering healthcare spending in the lives of Georgia’s Medicaid recipients,” said Tracey Moorhead, DMAA president and CEO.
DMAA’s Leadership Awards Program recognizes APS for its outstanding achievements in and contributions to the science and practice of chronic disease care. Earlier this year, DMAA solicited award nominations in a rigorous process that evaluated nominee against seven core criteria focusing on commitment, program design, implementation, innovation, outcomes-based orientation, scope and potential impact and vision/ leadership. APS also met category-specific criteria to receive the honor of best government program.
“We are delighted to receive DMAA’s ‘Outstanding Government Program’ award,” said Jerry Vaccaro, president and chief operating officer of APS Healthcare. “We believe that by helping program participants adopt healthier behaviors and providing support to help them overcome personal challenges, they will ultimately improve overall health outcomes.”
This is the third consecutive year APS has been honored by DMAA. Last year, APS’ Georgia program received the DMAA award for Best Provider Engagement Initiative, and in 2005, APS’ Wyoming Medicaid program received the DMAA award for Best Government Program.
APS is one of the country’s leaders in providing services to Medicaid programs and serves clients representing more than 40 percent of the nation’s Medicaid population.
About APS
APS Healthcare, headquartered in Silver Spring, Md., is a leading provider of specialty healthcare solutions that cover more than 20 million members in the United States and Puerto Rico. APS offers customized, integrated healthcare solutions across two major healthcare product lines – care management and behavioral health services. APS operates under the belief that managing healthcare for the mind and body improves overall health and reduces total healthcare spending.
For more information, contact:
Sarah Clark-Lynn
Manager, Corporate Communications
APS Healthcare
800-305-3720, ext. 3266
sclynn@apshealthcare.com
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