The Paramount Healthcare Effectiveness Data and Information Set (HEDIS^®)* 2008 and Quality Compass^®* results are available. The HEDIS^® data for this reporting year were submitted to Quality Compass^®, a national database with both clinical and non-clinical performance information from more than 250 health plans. That allows purchasers to obtain regional and national comparisons of health plan performance. The HEDIS^® data submitted by Paramount were independently audited to ensure compliance with the stringent methodological standards, with 100 percent of the elements validated.

Where We’re Succeeding
As a result of Paramount’s continued emphasis on clinical quality, many increases were realized when compared with 2007 HEDIS^® rates. Statistically significant improvements were achieved in the following areas:

• Antibiotic Avoidance in Adults with Acute Bronchitis
• Cancer Screenings: Breast and Colorectal
• Flu Shots for Adults Ages 50 to 64
• Initiation and Engagement of Treatment for Alcohol and Drug Dependence
• Monitoring Persistent Use of Medications
• Well Care Visits for Adolescents

How We Get Involved
These improvements appear to be a direct result of specific, targeted interventions, such as:

• A member reminder system for immunizations
• Personalized letters to members with specific testing recommendations
• Educational programs for members with certain conditions
• Physician and office staff education programs
• Direct contact with members and their physicians by Paramount nurse case managers for those with chronic illnesses or catastrophic conditions
• Implementation of asthma, depression, diabetes, cardiac post-event, congestive heart failure, end-stage renal disease/chronic kidney disease, and migraine management programs
• Health coaching calls to our members with asthma, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, migraines, and after-cardiac events

Public Reporting Is Key
Quality Compass^® findings also demonstrate that health plans with a track record of public disclosure outperform others and demonstrate steady improvement across almost all measures. This year, two HEDIS^® measures ranked in the 90th percentile nationally for the Commercial population—Cervical Cancer Screening and Timeliness of Prenatal Care—with two-thirds of measures above the 50th percentile.

The areas with the greatest opportunity to improve performance are: Appropriate Use of Antibiotics for Adults and Children with Respiratory Infections, Management of Patients Receiving Antidepressant Medication for the First Time, Cholesterol Management for Patients with Diabetes or Cardiovascular Conditions, and Use of Spirometry Testing to Diagnose and Evaluate COPD.

Get a Copy of the Quality Report
Clearly, we continue in our commitment to high-quality, cost-effective care and embrace prevention and early detection of disease. The 2008 Quality Report will be available in December. If you would like a copy, please call Member Services at 1-419-887-2525 or 1-800-462-3589. You will be able to find the report on the Paramount Web site at www.paramounthealthcare.com. Click on “Member Services,” “Quality Improvement,” then “Quality Report.”

* HEDIS^® and Quality Compass^® are registered trademarks of the National Committee for Quality Assurance.