HIP Introduces New Chronic Disease Management Program For High-Risk Medicare Members with Diabetes or Congestive Heart Failure

New York, N.Y. April 6, 2005 – HIP Health Plan of New York today announced the introduction of a new disease management program to help its high-risk Medicare members living with diabetes, congestive heart failure, or both. The program is voluntary and is offered at no additional cost to members.

“We created the program to give our Medicare members, their doctors and caregivers the support and added tools needed to better manage chronic illness,” said Dr. Ronald I. Platt, Executive Vice President for Medical Affairs and Chief Medical Officer. “Our intention is to help members live a fuller, healthier life.”

HIP and XLHealth will select qualified members in need of added care for diabetes and or congestive heart failure. The services will include: nurses available as needed; in-home, high-tech electronic monitoring services for members who qualify and monitored by nurses who will share critical information with physicians; health schedule reminders, including medications, appointments and testing; education services; and, progress and goals reports. Overall, the program is designed to enhance physician care with frequent member monitoring and support services, particularly between office visits. XLHealth, one of the nation’s leading chronic illness care management companies, was selected by HIP to help administer the program.

HIP Health Plan is the largest HMO in New York City based on membership. HIP is unique in the way it provides access to health care. Members may see doctors organized and practicing in large multidisciplinary medical groups in medical centers. Alternatively, they may see doctors in medical centers associated with leading hospitals. Or, they can access care through a network of physicians practicing in their own offices. Please visit our Web site, hipusa.com, for additional information. It is available in English, Spanish, Chinese and Korean.