Health Alliance Medical Plans Inc.

05/10/2022 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 05/10/2022 14:15

Health Alliance™ achieves 5-star rating on the Pharmacy Quality Alliance’s measures of medication safety and appropriate use

Health Alliance™ achieves 5-star rating on the Pharmacy Quality Alliance's measures of medication safety and appropriate use

May 10, 2022

Health Alliance™ achieves 5-star rating on the Pharmacy Quality Alliance's measures of medication safety and appropriate use

Champaign, Ill. - For a fourth straight year, Health Alliance is a Laura Cranston Excellence in Quality Award recipient for its high achievement in Pharmacy Quality Alliance (PQA) measures of medication safety and appropriate use. The announcement was made last week at the 2022 PQA Annual Meeting in Baltimore, Maryland. Health Alliance has been recognized by PQA for high achievement in medication quality measures since 2018.

The Excellence in Quality Award recognizes Medicare Advantage Drug Plans (MAPD) and Prescription Drug Plans (PDP). "This award means a lot to us," Brian Smolich, vice president of Pharmacy, Medical Utilization Management and Systems says. "It reflects our dedication and accomplishment in offering our members the world-class pharmaceutical care and service they deserve. We couldn't be happier."

MAPDs are recognized for achieving at least a 4.5-star Part D summary rating and a 5-star rating on all five PQA measures used in the 2022 CMS Star Ratings program. PDPs are recognized for achieving at least a 4.5-star Part D summary rating and at least a 4-star rating on all five PQA measures used in the 2022 CMS program.

"We want to achieve high standards of excellence in everything we do for our members," Dennis P. Hesch, Health Alliance President and Chief Executive Officer explains. "As part of the Carle Health system, Health Alliance shares in the enterprise-wide commitment to improving health by providing highly accessible, expert care and service. We will continue to improve our products, value and member experience so that every touchpoint in our healthcare system is strong and focused on those who have entrusted their lives with us."

Through the collaborative efforts of the entire Health Alliance team, members receive access to readily available pharmacy experts who offer support and answer questions; top-notch customer service; and, formulary, benefit structure, and utilization management practices that provide affordable access to safe and effective therapies.

Health Alliance has a dedicated Star Ratings Improvement team that leads its population health quality improvement efforts known as the "Strive for Five" campaign. Kena Hahn, director of STARs and Outpatient Care Coordination, leads the team that monitors performance and creates action plans across the organization and provider partners to drive five-star results.

"Pharmacy is a key piece of our Strive for Five efforts," Hahn says. "We utilize team members across our division including pharmacy resources to assist in closing gaps in care, addressing adherence issues, and improving the overall member experience."

Based in Champaign, IL, Health Alliance operates in Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Ohio and Washington with additional licenses in Nebraska and Missouri. Health Alliance is part of Carle Health, an integrated system of healthcare services, which includes a five-hospital system, multi-specialty physician groups, as well as Carle Illinois College of Medicine and the Stephens Family Clinical Research Institute.

In Illinois, Health Alliance offers employer group plans, individual plans, Medicare plans, State of Illinois Employee plans, and State of Illinois Retiree plans through Total Retiree Advantage Illinois. In Iowa, Health Alliance offers employer group plans and Medicare plans. In Washington, Medicare plans and public individual plans are offered. And in Indiana and Ohio Health Alliance offers Medicare plans. FirstCarolinaCare health plan serves North Carolina.

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