Fidelis focuses on caring for thousands' health

How does a health plan work with 265,000 members and 29,000 providers across New York State to foster routine care, treatment for chronic illnesses like asthma and diabetes, and life-saving screenings that many people take for granted?

As one of the largest plans offering government-sponsored programs (Child Health Plus, Family Health Plus and Medicaid) statewide, Fidelis Care offers a unique Quality Care Management Incentive Program (QCMI), which awarded $22 million to participating providers in 2006 alone.

The goal of Fidelis Care's innovative QCMI is simple: to help members stay healthy, encourage their access to care, and reward physicians, clinics, health centers and hospitals for the care they provide.

Quality program

"Providing quality care and promoting good health among our membership is always Fidelis Care's top priority," said Mark L. Lane, president and CEO.

The QCMI program rewards providers for care such as preventive health visits, prenatal and postpartum care, appropriate asthma and diabetes treatment, high blood pressure and cholesterol management, and childhood immunizations.

There is also a special effort to encourage a member's first visit to his or her doctor for a comprehensive physical exam.

Testimonial

Many primary care providers, hospitals and medical groups in the Capital Region and Hudson Valley participate in the QCMI program, including Hometown Health Centers (HHC), Hudson Mohawk Pediatrics, Hudson Headwaters Health Network, Pine Street Pediatrics and Dr. Ibrahim Rabadi, a Hudson Valley physician who specializes in pediatric medicine.   

Hometown Health Centers, which serve low-income families in Schenectady, report that their staff members who reach out to the medically underserved take pride in their work because it means more children and adults are receiving the care they deserve.

"Every additional dollar helps us to purchase the equipment necessary to serve our patients," said Julie Greco, director of patient services at Hometown Health Centers.

(Fidelis Care, New York's Catholic healthcare plan, serves more than 265,000 members in 36 counties across New York State. Regional offices are located in Albany, Syracuse, Buffalo and Rego Park-Queens. Call 1-888-FIDELIS.)

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