Priority Health is celebrating 25 years of health care service and its commitment to concentrating on what matters most - improving health, enhancing the member experience and reducing costs (see also Managed Care).
'This milestone is an opportunity to mark our 25 years of growth and innovation,' said Kim K. Horn, president and chief executive officer of Priority Health. 'We've touched the lives of millions of Michigan residents over the years, diligently working to improve their overall health and well-being through affordable and high-quality health care. Priority Health is ranked among the best health plans in the country and has set the standard for quality and innovation on many fronts.'
Priority Health, originally established as Butterworth HMO in 1986, has always been a leader in innovation. The health plan, renamed Priority Health when Butterworth merged with Lakeshore HMO, was among the first in the nation to offer financial rewards to primary care doctors for providing preventive care and screenings. Through technology breakthroughs like e-prescribing, predictive modeling and smartphone applications, the company has successfully enhanced network interaction far beyond the norm.
In October, Priority Health launched a new innovative line of products entitled HealthbyChoiceSM, which offers employers a continuum of products to engage their employees with a wide range of rewards for adopting the right health behaviors. The company also launched an innovative online tool, HealthInsiteSM, which enables employers to analyze how employees and dependents are using their benefits, and take action to improve employee health and address underlying causes that are affecting their costs.
Priority Health's focus on prevention, wellness, coordinated care and condition management offers the most effective way to control costs, improve health and ensure a positive care experience.
Priority Health has the highest rates of preventive screening, highest quality scores, best clinical outcomes, and innovative provider payment strategies. To see a complete list of our quality rankings, visit priorityhealth.com and search 'quality.'
The health plan's successes have earned it numerous local, state and national recognitions honoring its dedication to innovation and health care. In 1998, Priority Health was the only Michigan health plan on US News and World Report's list of America's Top 40 HMOs. Six years later, Priority Health was the first company to offer Medicare Advantage plans with prescription coverage in west Michigan, and was rated number one in Michigan and second in the nation by the National Business Coalition on Health (NBCH).
'We are very proud of the accomplishments we have made in creating innovative solutions that have worked to improve the overall health of our communities,' added Horn. 'Our growth, both in providing quality care and expanding business, has always been focused on our members and how we can better serve them. As we continue, our motivation will remain the same: to provide access to the most affordable and best possible care.'
Over the years, Priority Health has successfully expanded across the state and now provides health care to every county in Michigan's Lower Peninsula, serving more than 625,000 residents, up from 1,300 at its start. Priority Health's network also has increased significantly. The number of employer groups has increased from 3 to 12,000, and the number of physicians has risen from 200 to 16,000. The company currently employs 1,000 people in its Michigan offices in Farmington Hills, Grand Rapids, Holland, Jackson, Kalamazoo and Traverse City. That is up from 200 in 1992.
In fact, the Marketing and Sales Executives of Detroit (MSED) recognized Priority Health for achieving significant growth in membership and expanding the size of its provider network in southeast Michigan.
To celebrate its 25th anniversary, Priority Health is donating $25,000 to nonprofits of its employees' choosing. Employees of Priority Health will participate in various activities, including a trivia contest and 'Day of Thanks' luncheon in support of Priority Health's many accomplishments. To review the health plan's full history, visit priorityhealth.com and search 'history.' About Priority Health Priority Health is an award-winning health plan nationally recognized for creating innovative solutions that impact health care costs while maximizing customer experience. It offers a broad portfolio of products for employer groups, individuals, and Medicare and Medicaid. As a nonprofit company, Priority Health serves more than 625,000 people and continues to be ranked among America's best health plans by the National Committee for Quality Assurance.
Keywords: Mergers, Acquisitions, Legal Issues, Managed Care, Health Policy, Investing and Investments.
This article was prepared by Managed Care Weekly Digest editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2011, Managed Care Weekly Digest via NewsRx.com.
