HQP enters into agreement with Aetna to provide nurse care management services

Dec 22 2009

Health Quality Partners (HQP) has entered into a three-year agreement with Aetna (NYSE: AET) to provide nurse care management services to Aetna Medicare Advantage Plan members with certain chronic health conditions who receive their care at participating practices in Bucks, Montgomery, Lehigh and Northampton counties in Pennsylvania. The HQP Care Management Program is designed to help Medicare beneficiaries improve their health and quality of life and live more independently.

“We respect and value Aetna’s strong commitment to innovation and collaboration and look forward to working together to help improve the health of their Medicare Advantage plan members.”

Since 2002, HQP has participated in the Medicare Coordinated Care Demonstration, a national demonstration project sponsored by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). HQP’s care management model has proven successful in reducing hospitalizations and health care costs, and in improving health outcomes for Medicare beneficiaries at higher risk.

This unique model of community-based nurse care management incorporates well-established, evidence-based interventions designed to help reduce cardiovascular and geriatric risks for Medicare beneficiaries with chronic health conditions. Essential to the model’s effective implementation are the long-term relationships between the nurse care managers, patients and their families, primary care providers, other health care professionals and community resources.

“Aetna is very excited to offer access to this highly regarded program to our Medicare Advantage plan members in this area,” said Eric Cormier, general manager of Aetna Medicare in Pennsylvania. “Health Quality Partners has been a leader in providing outstanding, cost-effective care management programs to seniors in our region, and they share Aetna’s commitment to continually improving the quality of care received by our members to help them live healthier lives.”

“Every day, millions of older adults with chronic illnesses suffer needlessly and wind up using costly health care services for health problems that may have been prevented. Programs like HQP’s community-based nurse care management program can help improve quality of care and potentially reduce health care costs, according to the latest research," said Dr. Ken Coburn, president and CEO of Health Quality Partners. "We respect and value Aetna’s strong commitment to innovation and collaboration and look forward to working together to help improve the health of their Medicare Advantage plan members.”