EmblemHealth Among the First East Coast Health Plans to Receive Full URAC Comprehensive Wellness Accreditation

NEW YORK, Jan. 5, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- EmblemHealth, Inc. announced today that it has been awarded full URAC Comprehensive Wellness Accreditation for its Wellness PATH program, a combination of tools and interventions to promote healthy behavior, which is now included in all EmblemHealth-branded products for groups in excess of 50 employees. URAC is a Washington, DC-based health care accrediting organization that establishes quality standards for the health care industry. EmblemHealth, which provides health insurance through its companies Group Health Incorporated (GHI) and HIP Health Plan of New York, is among the first health plans on the East Coast to receive full URAC Comprehensive Wellness Accreditation.

According to William Gillespie, MD, Chief Medical Officer for EmblemHealth, Inc., the Wellness PATH program offers members heath risk assessments; wellness coaching for weight management, stress reduction and healthy living; employer-based health challenges to help employees change behavior, and member support, including access to online tools.

"EmblemHealth is honored to receive Comprehensive Wellness Accreditation from URAC," says Dr. Gillespie. "We are committed to helping our members get well and stay well by making healthy choices. The Wellness PATH program helps employers help employees become healthier, while reducing their own costs through decreased absenteeism, increased productivity and employee retention, and improved morale."

"By applying for and receiving URAC accreditation, EmblemHealth has demonstrated a commitment to quality health care," said Alan P. Spielman, URAC President and CEO. "Quality health care is crucial to our nation's welfare, and it is important to have organizations that are willing to measure themselves against national standards and undergo rigorous evaluation by an independent accrediting body."

The Wellness PATH program grew out of EmblemHealth's efforts to implement weight loss, tobacco cessation, exercise and healthy eating programs for its own employees. The success of these wellness initiatives led EmblemHealth to create a program that replicates these efforts for its customers.

"We know wellness programs translate into short- and long-term cost savings, while helping employees take important steps toward feeling better, living healthier lives and preventing disease," says Dr. Gillespie.  "Wellness initiatives can impact the bottom line by reducing sick days and medical claims, as well as generating employee good will."

About EmblemHealth:

EmblemHealth, Inc., through its companies Group Health Incorporated (GHI) and HIP Health Plan of New York (HIP), provides affordable, quality health care coverage and administrative services to approximately 3.3 million people. Groups and individuals can choose from a variety of PPO, EPO and HMO programs, as well as prescription drug, dental and vision plans. Plans offer a choice of networks, including access to over 106,000 quality doctors and other health care professionals and most of the leading hospitals across the tristate region. For more information, visit www.emblemhealth.com.

About URAC:

URAC, an independent, nonprofit organization, is well known as a leader in promoting health care quality through its accreditation and certification programs. URAC offers a wide range of quality benchmarking programs and services that keep pace with the rapid changes in the health care system, and provide a symbol of excellence for organizations to validate their commitment to quality and accountability. Through its broad-based governance structure and an inclusive standards development process, URAC ensures that all stakeholders are represented in setting meaningful standards for the heath care industry. For more information, visit www.urac.org.

SOURCE EmblemHealth, Inc.