ATLANTA and TAMPA, Fla., Dec. 14,
2017 /PRNewswire/ -- When it comes to consumer
satisfaction among Georgia's
managed Medicaid members, WellCare of Georgia, a subsidiary of WellCare Health
Plans, Inc. (NYSE: WCG) is the top-rated, according to the National
Committee for Quality Assurance's (NCQA) 2017 – 2018 Medicaid
Health Insurance Plan Ratings.
NCQA reported WellCare of Georgia was rated 4 out of 5 for consumer
satisfaction and 3.5 out of 5 overall in NCQA's Medicaid Health
Insurance Plan Ratings 2017–2018, making WellCare the state's
top-rated managed care organization for member satisfaction.
These quality measures are especially important to help improve
health outcomes. Research indicates patients who are satisfied with
their physician relationship tend to utilize more preventive care
services and screenings.
"Member satisfaction among the Medicaid population is crucial
because patients are more likely to manage chronic health
conditions and reduce unhealthy behaviors when they have positive
relationships with their physicians," said Sonya Nelson, president, WellCare of
Georgia. "Because our primary care
physicians have done an exceptional job in building patient
relationships and offering helpful, manageable ways for members to
improve their health, we're seeing improvements in health
outcomes."
An August 2016 report from
Health Affairs noted that among lower-income patients, trust
and respect were their primary concern in the healthcare system.
Many reported the issue they were most passionate about was
distrust of healthcare workers and a sense that they were seen as
"less-than" by medical providers.
WellCare employs more than 80 field-based care associates
serving 159 counties across the state who help members manage their
health conditions and can provide in-home visits or help members
overcome social or economic barriers to care by connecting members
to needed social services such as food, transportation or
housing.
"Our care management and advocacy teams are making vital
improvements in our members' lives. Many families struggle with
social or economic barriers to care that put them at a disadvantage
when it comes to living a healthy life. By helping families
navigate these challenges, WellCare removes major roadblocks to
better health. We look forward to continuing to help our members in
Georgia live better, healthier
lives," said Nelson.
As of Sept. 30, 2017, WellCare
serves approximately 498,000 Medicaid and PeachCare for
Kids® plan members, 46,000 Medicare Advantage plan
members and 20,000 Medicare Prescription Drug Plan members in
Georgia. To learn more about how
WellCare cares for Georgians, watch Gloria's story at
http://youtu.be/qyn-nywze04.
About NCQA Ratings
NCQA ratings are based on three
types of quality measures: measures of clinical quality from NCQA's
Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS®);
measures of consumer satisfaction using Consumer Assessment of
Healthcare Providers and Systems (CAHPS®); and results from NCQA's
review of a health plan's health quality processes (i.e.,
performance on NCQA accreditation standards). NCQA rates health
plans that report quality information publicly.
For a more detailed review of the latest NCQA health insurance
plan ratings report, visit:
http://healthinsuranceratings.ncqa.org/2017/search/Medicaid/GA.
About NCQA
National Committee for Quality Assurance
(NCQA) is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to improving
health care quality. NCQA accredits and certifies a wide range of
health care organizations and recognizes clinicians in key clinical
areas. NCQA's HEDIS® is the most widely used performance
measurement tool in health care. NCQA's Web site (www.ncqa.org)
contains information to help consumers, employers and others make
more informed health care choices.
About WellCare Health Plans, Inc.
Headquartered in
Tampa, Fla., WellCare Health
Plans, Inc. (NYSE: WCG) focuses exclusively on providing
government-sponsored managed care services, primarily through
Medicaid, Medicare Advantage and Medicare Prescription Drug Plans,
to families, children, seniors and individuals with complex medical
needs. WellCare serves approximately 4.3 million members nationwide
as of Sept. 30, 2017. For more
information about WellCare, please visit the company's website at
www.wellcare.com or view the company's videos at
https://www.youtube.com/user/WellCareHealthPlan.
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SOURCE WellCare Health Plans, Inc.