SIE Sierra Health Svcs

Sierra Health Services Inc. (NYSE:SIE) has been selected by InformationWeek as one of the nation's most technologically advanced organizations. The company has been named to the InformationWeek 500 list of innovative users of information technology, companies which set a benchmark for business technology strategies and projects. The principal driver of the company's selection to the 500 list was the automation of e-prescribing and electronic medical records within Sierra's wholly owned subsidiary, Southwest Medical Associates (SMA), the largest multi-specialty group practice in Nevada. Bob Schaich, vice president and chief information officer of Sierra, commended the entire organization for this achievement. "It is an honor for Sierra to be named to this prestigious list and be recognized among the best and most progressive organizations," he said. "The selection formally recognizes our strategic commitment to continual improvement of the quality of healthcare for our health plan members through the cost-effective application of information technology. This philosophy led Sierra to automate key elements of the healthcare delivery process, and expand access to patient medical information throughout Nevada's healthcare community." The rollout of e-prescribing has dramatically improved the rate of generic prescribing, as well as safety and efficiency for patients. Approximately 1 million-plus scripts are issued through SMA annually. The use of electronic medical records has streamlined operations, while ensuring that patient medical information is readily available at the point of care. Based on the success of e-prescribing within SMA, Sierra has licensed e-prescribing software for every provider in the state of Nevada, and has developed a secure Web portal to allow patients and providers access to a summary of the electronic medical records maintained by Southwest Medical Associates. "These extensions of e-prescribing and electronic medical records into the Nevada healthcare community enhance the quality and delivery of care provided to Sierra's health plan members, while reducing expenses associated with possible duplication of services and information," said Schaich. Additional details on the InformationWeek 500 list can be found at www.informationweek.com/iw500/. InformationWeek sets the agenda for business technology executives, covering the full range of information access points IT decision makers use today. A trusted, authoritative source and information filter, InformationWeek helps community members understand and focus on what's important up-to-the-minute -- in print, online, through independent research and at live, peer-to-peer events. The InformationWeek community includes an audience of 2.5 million CIOs, IT executives and business managers who cut across industries, job titles, company sizes and global borders. Sierra Health Services Inc., based in Las Vegas, is a diversified healthcare services company that operates health maintenance organizations, indemnity insurers, preferred provider organizations, prescription drug plans and multi-specialty medical groups. Sierra's subsidiaries serve more than 800,000 people through health benefit plans for employers, government programs and individuals. For more information, visit the company's Web site at www.sierrahealth.com.