BUFFALO, N.Y. and TAMPA, Fla., Dec. 19, 2005 — HealthNow New York Inc., a health plan serving more than 800,000 members, and Health Integrated, Inc., a leading provider of health, disease, and care management programs, today announced an expanded partnership to assist HealthNow members coping with depression. Beginning in January 2006, Health Integrated’s Synergy Depression Care Coaching(TM) will be offered at no additional charge to HealthNow’s members in an effort to positively impact depression, a frequent and unrecognized cause of absenteeism, low productivity and higher healthcare costs.
A major health problem, depression afflicts an estimated 27 percent of adults in the United States. The corresponding economic burden of depression continues to skyrocket with annual costs estimated to be $83 billion. As a result, depression is quickly becoming a serious concern for employers who are losing more than $50 billion a year due to work loss, according to the Journal of Psychiatry. While symptoms of depression can occur alone, they often accompany other chronic illnesses including diabetes, congestive heart failure, heart disease and asthma. This can cause the individual to be less interested in seeking help, caring for themselves, taking medication and monitoring his/her condition properly.
"Millions of Americans suffer from clinical depression, particularly during the holiday season," said John A. Gillespie, MD, HealthNow’s vice president of Corporate Medical Affairs. "As many as 66 percent of people suffering from depression never receive treatment. By addressing behavioral and emotional well-being, along with chronic medical conditions, patients can realize a higher quality of life with positive outcomes."
The Health Integrated Depression Care Coaching program provides a personalized coaching plan developed by specially trained behavioral health clinicians – including licensed nurses, therapists, psychiatrists, and social workers – that is built around an individual’s specific needs. The Care Coach helps people understand their behavioral health needs, sets goals and provides tools to accomplish these goals, and also facilitates communication among health providers and advises them of difficult cases. HealthNow will offer this program to plan members who meet specific requirements.
"Through the Health Integrated program, individuals become more knowledgeable about their own health, more motivated to follow prescribed treatments, and as a result require fewer unplanned calls and visits to the doctor," said Dr. Sam Toney, Vice Chairman and Chief Medical Officer at Health Integrated. "Through education and support we can better ensure that patients follow their treatment more closely, improve their overall health and are more productive in the workplace."
HealthNow and Health Integrated entered into a strategic business alliance in June 2005. The new alliance, under which HealthNow made an investment in Health Integrated, builds on an existing relationship between the companies and provides expanded access to Health Integrated’s behavior health management services to HealthNow’s membership.
About HealthNow New York Inc.
HealthNow New York is one of New York State’s leading healthcare companies, serving more than 800,000 members across upstate New York. Headquartered in Buffalo, NY, HealthNow does business as BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York, BlueShield of Northeastern New York, HealthNow New York, Upstate Medicare Division, and as a Durable Medical Equipment regional Carrier for Medicare DME claims. In 2004, company revenues grew to nearly $2 billion.
About Health Integrated
Founded in 1996, Health Integrated, Inc. is a privately held health management company based in Tampa, Florida. Health Integrated delivers integrated care solutions that provide patient-specific, evidence-based programs for preventative, medical, and behavioral health. These programs help people navigate the healthcare process and make more informed healthcare decisions. As a result, healthcare economics, quality of life and clinical outcomes are all improved. Health Integrated is URAC Accredited for Case Management, Disease Management and Health Utilization Management programs, and has received National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) Patient and Practitioner Oriented Accreditation for its award-winning Depression Care Coaching Program. For more information, visit http://www.healthintegrated.com.
CONTACTS:
Katy Beach, Reidy Communications for Health Integrated
415-602-1304
Karen Merkel-Liberatore, HealthNow New York
716-887-8811
