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UPMC Health Plan To Provide Coverage For Tele-Monitors For Its Members With Heart Failure PITTSBURGH (June 1, 2006) - UPMC Health Plan is launching a revolutionary telehealth initiative led by UPMC/ South Hills Health System Home Health. This new program will cover the use of telehealth monitors by its members who have heart failure (HF) to help keep these patients healthier and stable in their homes. UPMC Health Plan is the first Western Pennsylvania health insurer to provide coverage for home tele-monitoring systems. The monitors can be used by members to record their weight, blood oxygen levels, and blood pressure at home. The information is transmitted to nurses at UPMC/South Hills Health System Home Health. Some of the devices have special video monitors, which enable nurses at UPMC/South Hills Health System Home Health to make remote real time "video visits" with members at home, helping to keep those most in need more stable."Using these monitors will help our members to modify their behaviors," said Diane P. Holder, president of UPMC Health Plan. "These monitors will be able to detect subtle changes in weight and blood pressure and alert nurses to possible problems so care can be provided before they require hospitalization or an emergency room visit." The monitors, which are produced by American TeleCare, connect patients with clinicians using ordinary telephone lines. The monitors are designed to maximize ease of use for all patients including those with arthritis, reading difficulties and sight limitations. The monitors allow nurses to prevent patient deterioration by providing early intervention based on transmitted data. The monitors also allow nurses to educate patients regarding symptoms that may be precursors to further complications or exacerbation of disease. Disease specific pre-programmed questions assist the clinicians in obtaining additional information regarding patient status. According to American TeleCare, test programs around the nation with the tele-monitors (known as the "inLife XP™ Patient Monitor") have been shown to reduce hospitalization and emergency room utilization by 40 percent.and the video monitors (known as the "Aviva 1010") have been shown to reduce hospitalization and emergency room utilization by 75 to 95 percent.. About UPMC Health Plan UPMC Health Plan, a leading health care benefits company located in Western Pennsylvania, is backed by the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC), one of the nation's top-ranked health systems. As part of an integrated health care delivery system, UPMC Health Plan partners with UPMC to improve clinical outcomes as well as the health of the greater community. The National Committee for Quality Assurance and U.S. News & World Report listed UPMC Health Plan as one of the top 50 health plans in the United States. The Health Plan is the only Pennsylvania plan to receive five stars in the categories of "Prevention" and "Treatment," and is the highest-ranked managed care company in the nation for breast cancer screening, for the second consecutive year. The UPMC Insurance Services Division - which includes UPMC Health Plan, UPMC for You (Medical Assistance), Community Care Behavioral Health, and EAP Solutions - serves over 700,000 members through a network that includes UPMC providers as well as affiliated hospitals and physicians, totaling more than 80 hospitals and more than 7,000 physicians in a 28-county region. About UPMC/ South Hills Health System Home Health UPMC/ South Hills Health System Home Health is the largest home health agency in Pennsylvania. It was originally created in 2000 as a Joint Venture, Limited Partnership between UPMC Home Health, South Hills Health System Home Health Agency, UPMC Beaver Valley Home Health and UPMC Horizon Home Health. UPMC/South Hills Health System Home Health serves patients in 10 counties within Western Pennsylvania and accounts for 30,990 admissions and 386,000 visits annually. The organization, which has administrative offices in Seven Fields, Pa., employs approximately 500 nurses, therapists and support staff. UPMC /South Hills Health System Home Health provides a full spectrum of services which includes behavioral health, rehabilitation therapies, infusion therapy, oncology, maternal-child, pediatrics, geriatrics, cardiopulmonary, wound care and telemonitoring.. In addition, the organization can provide specialized care through Disease State Management programs in. Heart Failure, Diabetes, Wound Care, Bariatric and Fast Track Rehabilitation. About American TeleCare American TeleCare (ATI), based in Eden Prairie, MN, an established leader in the Telehealth industry since 1993, is dedicated to improving outcomes and patient satisfaction while lowering health care costs. ATI provides technology-enabled patient care management solutions, featuring patient specific questions sets, live audio/video/data communication and integrated medical peripherals. ATI's telehealth solutions enable remote monitoring and real-time clinical interactions-resulting in higher quality care, improved outcomes, increased patient and clinician satisfaction at reduced cost. For more information, visit www.americantelecare.com or call 800-323-6667.
UPMC Health Plan contact: Michael Taylor, (412) 454-7534 |
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