ST. LOUIS, Oct. 13, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Centene Corporation
(NYSE: CNC) was awarded silver honors for health care consumer
empowerment and protection by URAC, a leading healthcare
accreditation organization, at the 2011 URAC Quality Summit and
Awards Program held October 5-7 in
Chicago. In addition to the
silver medal for its respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) prevention
program, the Company also received an honorable mention for its
Nurse Response program, a 24-hour medical triage telehealth
service. A program coordinator for Nurse Response was also honored
with a URAC Health Care Stars! Award at the same event.
RSV is a serious childhood respiratory ailment and a leading
cause of hospitalization of babies in the first year of life.
Centene has developed a comprehensive care program to minimize RSV
infections and protect high-risk infants. The Company's Nurse
Response disease management program promotes medication adherence
among members with serious and persistent mental illnesses through
telephonic counseling and by serving as an extension of the local
healthcare provider's practice.
"We are honored to receive recognition for our health education
and preventive care initiatives," said Mary
Mason, M.D., senior vice president and Chief Medical Officer
for Centene. "Our RSV prevention program educates members on this
serious illness which if not addressed can lead to severe pneumonia
or bronchiolitis with respiratory failure, adult asthma and even
death. Likewise, Nurse Response, with its continuous
accessibility, helps patients receive the appropriate care, at the
appropriate place, at the appropriate time."
A member of the Nurse Response team, Janel Striped-Wolf was
honored with a URAC Health Care Stars! Award for "demonstrating a
commitment to the welfare of health care consumers through saving
and improving lives, preventing adverse health outcomes, and other
positive changes." Ms. Striped-Wolf has spent her career
serving the seriously mentally ill and persons with disabilities.
She has been an advocate for youth in the public school systems,
tribal communities, and in the behavioral health system throughout
the West.
This favorable attention comes on the heels of the Company
winning gold recognition for its weight management publication and
bronze recognition for two additional health education publications
at the 2011 National Health Information Awards.
Centene was honored for publishing its weight management book,
"My Route to Health," which focuses
on helping members change unhealthy habits that could potentially
lead to dangerous health conditions. In addition, the company
received recognition for its "Guide to Your Baby's Care – The First
Year" and "Super Centeam 5 Cookbook" books, which are all part of a
larger health education program to help members take control of
their health and manage chronic health conditions.
About Centene Corporation
Centene Corporation, a Fortune 500 company, is a leading
multi-line healthcare enterprise that provides programs and
related services to the rising number of under-insured and
uninsured individuals. Many receive benefits provided under
Medicaid, including the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP),
as well as Aged, Blind or Disabled (ABD), Foster Care, long-term care, other
state-sponsored programs and Medicare (Special Needs Plans).
Centene's CeltiCare subsidiary offers states unique
"exchange-based" and other cost-effective coverage solutions for
low-income populations. The Company operates local health plans and
offers a range of health insurance solutions. It also contracts
with other healthcare and commercial organizations to provide
specialty services including behavioral health, life and health
management, managed vision, telehealth services, and pharmacy
benefits management. More information regarding Centene is
available at www.centene.com.
SOURCE Centene Corporation