Amerigroup Celebrates Fifth Anniversary of National Advisory Board

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va., June 22, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Amerigroup (NYSE: AGP) National Advisory Board (NAB) is celebrating its fifth anniversary this week. Community leaders gathered Wednesday night for a celebration dinner at the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art.

"This anniversary marks a celebration of independent living – one of which we all embrace and support," said Amerigroup Chairman and Chief Executive Officer James G. Carlson. "Over the past five years, the NAB has helped us better understand the possibilities of living independently and how that impacts our members and their families. We look forward to an exciting, productive future together."

Since 2007, the NAB has helped Amerigroup develop a range of programs and educational tools to improve the quality of both physical and behavioral health care, including its 2009 report "Declaration for Independence: A Call to Transform Health and Long-Term Services for Seniors and People with Disabilities." The report seeks to compel consumers, legislative officials, community-based organizations and health care providers to engage in efforts to modernize the health care infrastructure. This year, the NAB is looking for innovative ways to advance the six principles stated in the report.

1. Enhance Self-Care Through Improved Coordination
2. Encourage Community Integration and Involvement
3. Expand Accessibility of Services and Supports
4. Uphold Personal Preference
5. Empower People to Participate in the Economic Mainstream
6. Invest in Improved Technology

"We are focusing on taking the six principles one step further," stated Lex Frieden, convener of the NAB. "With a goal of formulating the principles into action items for legislators, we are hoping to provide guidelines on how to successfully implement the principles to make a difference on public policy."

To learn more about the Amerigroup National Advisory Board, please visit this website and watch this video.

About the National Advisory Board

In 2007, Amerigroup developed a first for the health care industry: a national advisory board focused solely on meeting the needs of seniors and people with disabilities. As a board, we are people with disabilities; children of aging parents; parents of children and adults with disabilities; and sisters, brothers, spouses, children and friends of people with disabilities. We represent millions of Americans with disabilities and seniors and their family members, who have struggled with the complexities of our fragmented health care system. The board is convened by Lex Frieden, who played an instrumental role in the creation of the Disabilities Act of 1990.

About Amerigroup Corporation

Amerigroup, a Fortune 500 company, coordinates services for individuals in publicly funded health care programs. Currently serving 2.2 million members in 12 states nationwide, Amerigroup expects to expand operations in 2012 to Washington, its 13th state, as a result of a previously awarded state contract. Amerigroup is dedicated to offering real solutions that improve health care access and quality for its members, while proactively working to reduce the overall cost of care to taxpayers. For more information, please visit www.amerigroup.com.

SOURCE Amerigroup Corporation