HIP Health Plan Receives URAC's
Accreditation for Utilization Management

New York, N.Y. Oct. 15 - HIP Health Plan today announced that it has been awarded utilization management accreditation from URAC, an organization that establishes standards for the health care industry.

"HIP Health Plan has demonstrated a commitment to quality health care crucial to our nation's welfare and it is important to have organizations that are willing to measure themselves against national standards," said Garry Carneal, URAC President and CEO.

Anthony L. Watson, Chairman and CEO of HIP issued the following statement: "This is additional evidence that HIP is a health care leader and that we work to leave no stone unturned in providing our members with access to quality, affordable health care. We accept URAC's accreditation with pride and with my thanks to HIP's staff for the fine work they continue to do on a daily basis."

URAC Profile

URAC, an independent nonprofit organization, is a leader in promoting health care quality through accreditation and certification programs. URAC's standards keep pace with the rapid changes in the health care system, and provide a mark of distinction for health care organizations to demonstrate their commitment to quality and accountability. Through its broad-based governance structure and an inclusive standards development process, URAC ensures that all stakeholders are represented in setting meaningful standards for the health care industry.

HIP Profile

Known as the region's premier HMO and growing in its national reputation, HIP Health Plan of New York offers an expanding range of health care choices as well as a growing provider network. Now numbering close to 20,000 physicians in more than 31,000 service locations, HIP's health care options include physicians in independent practice as well as physicians practicing in health centers.

The centers are managed by outstanding medical groups of multi-specialty physicians, as well as groups associated with leading hospitals, such as Beth Israel Medical Center and St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center (Continuum Health); Lenox Hill Hospital; St. Barnabas Hospital; and, Montefiore Medical Center.

With the acquisition of Vytra Health Plans, HIP is the largest HMO and one of the largest health plans in the New York metropolitan area. It is also the largest Medicare and Medicaid HMO in New York State, according to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

• The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), an independent monitor of the nation's HMOs, has awarded HIP a second successive Commendable Accreditation.

• COR Health, a health care guide to the Internet that reviews and evaluates health care and medical Web sites, gave HIP's Web site a 5-star rating for Content.

• The TRUSTe seal was awarded to HIP's Web site for adhering to the highest standards of established privacy principles of disclosure, choice, access and security.

• HIP continues to lead the nation's insurance industry in InformationWeek's annual ranking of business technology innovators. Among 500 companies ranked nationwide, HIP was named first in the insurance industry and No. 13 among all companies.