Group Health Earns Rare Fourth Consecutive Medicare 5 Star Quality Rating

SEATTLE, Oct. 14, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Group Health's HMO Medicare Advantage plan has earned the highest rating available from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Group Health is one of only 16 plans in the country to receive this rating for 2015*.

The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) assigns scores of one to five stars to Medicare Advantage plans based on more than 50 care and service quality measures across five categories. Measures include how a health plan helps its members stay healthy, manage chronic conditions, member satisfaction, customer service, and pharmacy services.

"Group Health's approach to quality is that it's not a means to garner recognition or awards, rather it's an outcome of our team's expertise and commitment to doing what's best for our members," said Scott Armstrong, President and CEO of Group Health Cooperative. "It's what our patients and members deserve and demand."

Group Health's HMO Medicare Advantage Plan was also ranked 14th in the nation among more than 600 health insurance plans by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA). The NCQA results will be published in the November issue of Consumer Reports®.

"Recognition as a 5 Star Medicare Advantage plan means we're proactively helping our patients and members keep up their health – which is the essence of why Group Health exists," says Chief Medical Executive Steve Tarnoff, MD. "The more we listen to our patients' perception of quality, we know they want the kind of experience that the 5-star program honors: care that makes them feel heard and involved in their health, makes transactions easy, and keeps them safe."

Why you should care about the 5-Star Rating

Through the Medicare Star Quality Rating System, CMS assigns scores of one to five stars to Medicare Advantage plans based on more than 50 care and service quality measures across five categories. These include how a health plan helps its members stay healthy, manage chronic conditions, member satisfaction, customer service, and pharmacy services. A 5-Star rating represents plans with the greatest ability to consistently deliver quality care and service to Medicare beneficiaries.

CMS assesses star ratings each year, and these may change from one year to the next. View the current ratings via the Medicare "Plan Finder" on Medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Plans that earn 5 Stars display a special icon for easy identification.

Why you should care about the NCQA Ranking

NCQA is a private, non-profit organization dedicated to improving health care quality. NCQA accredits and certifies a wide range of health care organizations. It also recognizes clinicians and practices in key areas of performance. NCQA's Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS®) is the most widely used performance measurement tool in health care.

Why you should care about Group Health

Group Health is a unique health care system linking care delivery and insurance coverage in order to achieve one goal – affordable, quality health care for all.  Our innovative approach has made us a national leader in a new era of health care reform, and our goals have remained the same since we began serving patients in 1947. As a nonprofit organization, Group Health helps nearly 600,000 patients throughout Washington state achieve better health.  Our focus on preventive care, combined with medical education, a charitable foundation and a nationally recognized research institute, advances health in the community in a way no one else can.  Group Health supports events, programs, and organizations that share this commitment to strengthening health in our communities.  For more information about Group Health, visit www.ghc.org.

For more information about Group Health's coverage plans, providers and ratings, visit www.ghc.org.

*Source: www.cms.gov, "2015 MA Landscape Source Files"

Medicare evaluates plans based on a 5-star rating system. Star Ratings are calculated each year and may change from one year to the next. Group Health Cooperative is an HMO plan with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in Group Health HMO depends on contract renewal.

SOURCE Group Health

Related Links

http://www.ghc.org