Sendero Health Plans improves community health by increasing best practices research

AUSTIN, Texas, Sept. 20, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- As Austin's non-profit community health plan, Sendero is dedicated to improving the health of the community by providing affordable, quality health care coverage.  Implicit in this mission is that plan members receive the right care at the right place at the right time.

In support of this, Sendero announces two new academic research projects to help improve the delivery of care to our members, and improve best practices in evidence based medicine:

• Increase vaccination in 11 – 12  year-olds against the human papilloma virus
  According to the CDC, "Some HPV infections can cause cancer – like cancer of the cervix or in the back of the throat – but [you] can protect your child from these cancers in the future by getting the first HPV shot today."  And, "Studies continue to prove HPV vaccination works extremely well, decreasing the number of infections and HPV pre-cancers in young people since it has been available."  This project works with members, their families and physicians to examine ways to increase successful immunization rates.
• Increase uptake of medical eye exams for diabetic members
  For plan members diagnosed with diabetes, this means helping them obtain services that can improve management of their disease and it means helping members obtain care that is evidence-based and that is scientifically recognized as best practice.  Having an annual medical eye exam, which is a Sendero-covered benefit, can reduce complications such as diabetic retinopathy that can lead to macular edema, vision impairment, and vision loss.  This study will focus on ways to support members' efforts to get these services.

With these two new projects Sendero continues its commitment to support healthy living for both its young members and those who have chronic diseases.

These projects follow the successful implementation of a pilot immunization project in 2016 that saw the number of plan members who received the flu vaccine increase by 17% (as compared to 2015).   The project is expanding in 2017.  According to Wesley Durkalski, Sendero CEO, "Our goal is to make sure that our plan members are receiving the care they need and the benefits that they deserve.  Being healthy is good for both the individual and the community.  By implementing a successful flu vaccination program last year we not only kept individuals healthy, but we contributed to community health by reducing the number of infected individuals in the community, and hopefully reduced inpatient stays and emergency room visits due to the flu."

Sendero's Research Portfolio also includes recent projects that:  i) utilize Community Health Workers to optimize care for diabetic and post-partum members, ii) investigate demographic factors associated with long-acting reversible contraception uptake, iii) utilize Community Health Workers to help Medicaid-enrolled pregnant members access all available services to ensure a healthy, happy pregnancy, iv) facilitate access to immediate postpartum long-acting reversible contraception, and v) review  differences in access to specialty care based on race and other variables.  Sendero's whole research portfolio is designed to help improve care for all members' health challenges including chronic and acute illnesses, pregnancies, and general wellness.

Recognized for its wellness efforts, Sendero Health Plans offers additional benefits to its members that provide free activities and health related items including sports registration, swimming lessons, baby monitors, strollers, car seats, backpacks and school supplies and more.  In addition, members can receive other free services including diapers, educational baby showers, summer lunch program and transportation for doctor visits.  Sendero also recently added free telemedicine for all members, and is working on remote monitoring for high-risk chronic conditions.

In 2015, Sendero Health Plans earned Accreditation from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) for both its HMO and Marketplace plans.  NCQA Accreditation is the most comprehensive evaluation in the industry, and the only assessment that bases results on clinical performance and consumer experience. With these and other health efforts, Sendero Health Plans continues to be recognized as a premier healthcare organization in Central Texas.

More About Sendero Health Plans
Formed in 2011 to improve access to care for those covered by publicly-funded health insurance programs, the nonprofit health plan covers an eight-county area in Bastrop, Burnet, Caldwell, Fayette, Hays, Lee, Travis and Williamson counties.  Sendero Health Plans is sponsored by the Travis County Healthcare District (d.b.a. Central Health). Visit www.senderohealth.com to learn more about Sendero Health Plans

Look for publications in the coming months on results from these and other studies.

Contact:  
Linda Burton 
Director of Marketing
(512) 978-8452 office
(210) 482-0789 cell

SOURCE Sendero Health Plans