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AvMed Health Plans' Care Management and Health Improvement Programs Receive Quality "Distinction" Award from NCQA

MIAMI--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 9, 2006--AvMed Health Plans' care management and health improvement programs for members have received a quality "distinction" award from a national leader in the evaluation of health plans.

The National Committee on Quality Assurance (NCQA) granted AvMed a "Quality Plus Distinction" for its care management and health improvement programs, following an evaluation of AvMed's programs by NCQA officials.

Quality Plus is a nationally recognized evaluation that health insurance purchasers, regulators and consumers can use to assess which health plans have earned distinction by meeting rigorous standards in the areas of member connections, and care management and health improvement.

Quality Plus recognizes innovative plans that lead the market in areas such as leveraging the Web to promote members' self-management of chronic conditions, allowing members to track claims online, adopting innovative disease management programs and managing members with chronic conditions or complex illnesses.

"AvMed strives to provide our members with the highest levels of service and satisfaction possible, and we are honored to be named one of NCQA's plans of 'distinction,'" said Doug Cueny, President and Chief Operating Officer of AvMed.

In September 2005, AvMed became one of the first health plans in the United States to volunteer to have its care management and health improvement programs surveyed by the NCQA. By becoming an "early adopter" of NCQA's standards in these areas, AvMed voluntarily implemented new guidelines for these programs prior to their becoming mandatory for health plans to achieve NCQA accreditation.

"AvMed is proud of its care management and health improvement programs and how they positively impact members' lives," Cueny said. "We wanted to be among the first health plans in the nation to adopt the new NCQA standards and set a benchmark for these programs."

NCQA's evaluation of AvMed's efforts since becoming an "early adopter" led to the "distinction" award.

AvMed offers members a range of care management programs for ailments such as asthma, congestive heart failure, diabetes and high-risk pregnancy. AvMed also offers health improvement programs designed to help members quit smoking, lose weight and get regular exercise.

NCQA is an independent, not-for-profit organization dedicated to measuring the quality of America's health care. It is governed by a Board of Directors that includes employers, consumer and labor representatives, health plans, quality experts, regulators and representatives from organized medicine. NCQA's mission is to improve the quality of health care.

About AvMed Health Plans

AvMed Health Plans has been providing Floridians access to health care for over 35 years. Through an extensive broker network, AvMed offers health care coverage solutions for large and small businesses around the state. AvMed's competitive rates and highly personalized service are valued by clients, many of whom have been with AvMed for over 15 years. Headquartered in Florida, AvMed has offices in Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, Orlando, Tampa, Gainesville and Jacksonville. Additionally, AvMed offers health care products to Medicare beneficiaries in Miami-Dade and Broward counties in South Florida. For more information, visit http://www.AvMed.org.

Contact
AvMed Health Plans, Miami
Conchita Ruiz-Topinka
305-671-7306

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