State of Arkansas Extends Contract with U.S. Preventive Medicine for BirthWait(R)...

State of Arkansas Extends Contract with U.S. Preventive Medicine for
BirthWait(R) Medicaid Health Management Program

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., Aug. 5 /PRNewswire/ -- U.S. Preventive Medicine
(http://www.USPreventiveMedicine.com), the leader in disease prevention,
announced today that the State of Arkansas Department of Human Services has
extended its contract for the BirthWait(R) obstetrical and infant health
management program for one year.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080506/NETU129LOGO )
Under the BirthWait(R) program, which began in June 2007, U.S. Preventive
Medicine, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, U.S. Care Management, provides
health management services to assist in improving birth outcomes and reducing
costs associated with complicated pregnancies, pre-term births and high-risk
infants among Medicaid participants in Crittenden, Phillips and St. Francis
Counties, Arkansas.
"High-risk pregnancies and pre-term deliveries often result in poor health
outcomes for mother's and their infant's health, and additional costs to the
family and our communities," said Roy Jeffus, director, Arkansas Department of
Human Services, Division of Medical Services. "We are extremely pleased with
the intensive obstetrical and high-risk infant health management services that
U.S. Care Management has provided during the past year and are very confident
that they will continue to help us reduce costs and improve health outcomes
during the second year of the program."
U.S. Care Management will continue to utilize its unique community-based
approach to identify persons who are likely to have a high-risk pregnancy and
at-risk infants up to one year of age. Each person in the program is assigned
a community-based registered nurse who provides care coordination,
assessments, extensive education and monitoring. BirthWait(R) nurses utilize
a case management database system, Casewatch(R) that includes guidelines and
indicators for high risk pregnancy as well as other chronic conditions the
mother may have including diabetes, hypertension, asthma and others. The
system offers the same capabilities for at-risk infants. Nurses enter
assessment information, develop individualized care plans, and document and
report all contacts and interventions as well as the tracking of key
indicators.
U.S. Care Management's nurses conduct home visits and are supported by a
24-hour, seven-days-a-week nurse phone line including in and out-bound calls.
The program works closely with medical and community based providers,
including the Antenatal and Neonatal Guidelines, Education and Learning System
(ANGELS) at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences. Obstetrical
evidence-based practice guidelines prepared by ANGELS are used as the platform
for care coordination, patient education and support.
"It has been an honor to support Arkansas Human Services Department's
BirthWait(R) program and we are very delighted that they have expressed their
confidence in our community-based program and services by extending this
contract," said Fred Goldstein, President and COO of U.S. Preventive Services.
"We look forward to continuing with our community-based program and working
with the State of Arkansas in their commitment to improve birth outcomes and
reduce costs associated with complicated pregnancies and at-risk infants."
U.S. Care Management consistently demonstrates positive quality, cost, and
satisfaction outcomes in the management of patients with complex chronic
conditions. The company contracts with government and private payers of health
services and operates in several states throughout the country.
About U.S. Preventive Medicine
U.S. Preventive Medicine(R), a privately-owned health management company
with clients nationwide and the United Kingdom, is focused entirely on disease
prevention. The Company offers employers, government agencies and consumers
proprietary products that improve health and productivity while reducing
healthcare costs. Company products include the first-of-its-kind health
benefit, The Prevention Plan(TM), a personalized health management and
wellness program delivered online and telephonically; and The Prevention Plan
CM(TM), a chronic care management program customized for individuals with
existing medical issues. Other services are available through the Center for
Preventive Medicine(R) and The Preventive Network(TM), which offer high-tech,
early detection screening programs with affiliated physician groups, hospitals
and health systems.
http://www.USPreventiveMedicine.com and http://www.ThePreventionPlan.com
SOURCE U.S. Preventive Medicine

Kathy Fleming of U.S. Preventive Medicine, +1-904-562-6239, Cell,
+1-214-548-9083, kfleming@USPreventiveMedicine.com