Community Health Plan Ranks Highest For Washington Child Immunizations

Main Category: Pediatrics / Children's Health
Also Included In: Immune System / Vaccines
Article Date: 22 Aug 2008 - 2:00 PST

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The Health Recovery and Services Administration (HRSA) announced Community Health Plan has been recognized for having the highest pediatric immunization rate of any health plan in the state. The annual report assessed six major health insurers that provide medical coverage for Washington families. For children aged birth to two years of age, Community Health Plan had an immunization rate of 76.4 percent for Combination 2(a) immunizations, compared to other health plans that averaged 70.31 percent. In terms of the health plan's total membership, this number represents approximately 4,560 children, birth to two years of age, who have been immunized. When analyzing rates for individual immunization categories such as MMR, HiB and Hepatitis B, the health plan's rate exceeded 90 percent in most categories.(b)

Created in 1992, Community Health Plan is the fifth-largest health program in Washington. It was developed by a group of community health centers to serve low-income individuals, families, diverse ethnic groups, recent immigrants and people with disabilities. The health plan provides comprehensive managed care for patients on the state's Basic Health Plan, Healthy Options (Washington's managed Medicaid program), the State Children's Health Insurance Plan (SCHIP), General Assistance and Unemployable (GA-U).

"This achievement is the result of several years of combined efforts between Community Health Plan and our community health center providers to ensure the best possible care to children throughout the state," said Dr. Christopher Mathews, Community Health Plan's Chief Medical Officer. "What was novel about our approach to treating children, was the partnership we have with our community health center delivery system, and our ability to put the needs of the patient first."

To achieve these milestone immunization rates, Community Health Plan worked closely with its provider groups to create customized strategies to address the unique needs of the communities that they serve. The not-for-profit health plan advocates the importance of providing medical and dental coverage to Washington's children, regardless of their insurance status.

Since 2000, fewer employers have offered health coverage, resulting in a 31 percent increase in uninsured individuals and families. Community Health Plan is critical to Washington's current insurance system because it is a safety net for economically-challenged people seeking affordable, yet quality healthcare.

"As a health insurer and advocate for Washington's individuals and families who deserve the best possible health care, Community Health Plan has a business model that leverages compassionate, performance-based care, with a laser focus on financial efficiency. The plan enables public dollars to be directed to those it is intended to benefit -- Washington's families," said Paul Gallese, Community Health Plan's Chief Executive Officer. "Our ranking of number one in kids' immunizations exemplifies the elevated quality of care provided by a community health center focused delivery system."

Community Health Plan provides affordable health insurance coverage, and high quality, patient-focused care to more than 228,000 individuals and families throughout Washington. It is the state's largest provider of the Basic Health Plan and the second largest health plan serving members of the state's Medicaid program, including Healthy Options, the State Children's Health Insurance Program, General Assistance and Unemployable (GA-U), as well as a series of Medicare Advantage products called Community HealthFirst. The health plan's delivery system includes over 300 primary care clinics, 1600 providers, 8000 specialists, and 90 hospitals. Community Health Plan features an incentive program that rewards its members for getting the preventive care they, and their family, need.

a. Combination 2 includes DTaP, MMR, IPV, HiB, Hepatitis B and VZV immunizations.

b. MMR (vaccination against measles, mumps and rubella), Haemophilus influenzae type b, IPV for polio b

Community Health Plan
http://www.chpw.org