Tufts Health Plan Expands Wellness Offerings for its Members

WATERTOWN, Mass., Sept. 13, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Tufts Health Plan is pleased to announce an enhanced, integrated approach to health management for its members.

Integrated Health Management identifies members with existing disease conditions and provides the opportunity for an appropriate intervention approach. By targeting the right people, at the right time and with the right level of care, efforts and resources are focused in a way that effectively manages the health of Tufts Health Plan members and the associated health costs.

"This integrated approach is exciting because in the past we used to reach only about 20% of our membership population. With our expanded capabilities we will have programs for everyone, and hope to eventually reach 100% of our membership," said Paul Kasuba, MD, senior vice president and chief medical officer. "We want to do whatever we can to help our members to stay on track with their health and wellness goals."

With information such as eligibility, hospital admissions, and claims data accessible in one location, it will now be possible for members to receive targeted, customized messages, alerts, and, if needed, interventions.

For example, if a person is in a care management program for a chronic disease with a specific treatment plan, this updated system will follow the member's progress through claims data and alert them, their doctor, or case manager if they are not following through with prescribed standards of care.

Some of the enhanced services within the integrated health management enhancement include:

• A 24 hour, 7 days per week nurse line
• Expanded alerts for both members and providers
• More wellness program offerings and access to online wellness content
• In-home biometric monitoring for selected conditions
• Personal Health Assessment reporting and integration of data.

In addition to identifying and targeting members in disease management programs, the expanded Integrated Health Management capabilities include tools to engage members as active participants in their own health. They will now be able to take an online, private personal health assessment, enroll in healthy living programs, have access to health trackers and may be eligible for personal health coaching.

The key to member engagement is the ability to personalize the experience, so it is relevant to each member. On the robust online health portal, each member can receive a personalized series of recommendations and activities to improve their health, either by phone, email, or instant message.

About Tufts Health Plan

Tufts Health Plan, a nonprofit health plan available in Massachusetts and Rhode Island, is recognized nationwide for its commitment to providing innovative, high-quality health care coverage.  More information about the organization is available on its website, www.tuftshealthplan.com.

SOURCE Tufts Health Plan