Neighborhood Health Plan Launches Sleep Management Program

BOSTON and SUFFIELD, Conn., May 21, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Neighborhood Health Plan (NHP) and Sleep Management Solutions, LLC (SMS), a CareCentrix company, today announced a partnership aimed at helping the rising number of people impacted by sleep issues. As of May 1, 2012, SMS will manage sleep diagnostic and therapy management services to NHP's 240,000 members throughout Massachusetts.

SMS will provide utilization and network management services to enhance the overall quality of sleep services delivered, while also providing a cost-effective approach to diagnostic testing for NHP members. Through this partnership, SMS will use a local network of sleep providers to provide Home Sleep Testing (HST) technology to NHP's members who are appropriate candidates for HST.  These members can conduct prescribed sleep diagnostic tests at home, allowing for a more natural testing environment at a lower cost than a facility-based test. The program uses industry standards and evidence-based criteria to assess the appropriate site of service for approved diagnostic requests.  When a home sleep test is not appropriate, members can conduct their sleep study at a sleep facility within NHP's contracted network.

Studies show that a relatively low number of patients continue their prescribed sleep therapy long term, but providing people with education and assistance can positively impact therapy use. To address this, SMS enrolls all members who are prescribed sleep therapy into the iComply Therapy Adherence Program.  iComply supports patients as they adjust to sleep therapy and has been shown to increase therapy use to over 85%.  SMS has also built a network of sleep therapy providers who will assist with the initial home set up of sleep therapy for NHP members diagnosed with obstructive or central sleep apnea. 

"There is medical evidence that shows treatment for obstructive sleep apnea with PAP-therapy lowers mortality for patients," said Matthew J. Collins, Medical Director of NHP. "In SMS, we have a partner who is focused and dedicated to the growing area of sleep therapy management. Our partnership will enable more NHP members to experience the comfort and lower costs of home-based sleep testing."

"NHP shares our vision to provide patients with diagnostic and therapeutic healthcare services in the most cost-effective site of service", said Tom Gaffney, President of SMS. "Our network is committed to offering the comfort, reliability and lower costs of home-based sleep testing to NHP members. SMS is pleased to welcome NHP as the latest addition to our growing list of clients."

About NHP
Neighborhood Health Plan (NHP) provides health care programs and related services to individuals receiving benefits under Medicaid, through small business employer groups, and through Massachusetts' ground-breaking health care reform. Founded in 1986 by the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers and the Greater Boston Forum for Health Action, NHP serves over 240,000 members statewide and has been recognized as a national leader in care for medically complex and severely disabled populations. For more information about Neighborhood Health Plan, visit www.nhp.org.

About Sleep Management Solutions
Founded in 2006, Sleep Management Solutions, LLC is the first Sleep Benefits Management Company in the country developed to work with the payer community to effectively manage the growing costs associated with sleep services.  The company provides an end-to-end integrated approach to managing the sleep continuum with a keen focus on enhancing both clinical and financial quality for payer clients.  Sleep Management Solutions was acquired in 2010 by CareCentrix, the nation's leading benefits management company focused on effectively managing home-based care.  For more information about Sleep Management Solutions, visit www.sleepmanagementsolutions.com.

SOURCE Sleep Management Solutions, LLC