Amerigroup Launches 24/7 Nurse Pilot Program: A First for Maryland

BALTIMORE, Sept. 1, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Amerigroup Community Care in Baltimore launched a new 24/7 nurse triage and referral service today for members who need urgent care. The pilot program – known as "Amerigroup On Call" – is available for Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) participants enrolled in Amerigroup's Maryland health plan, beginning Sept. 1, 2010.

"While members today have access to a 24/7 nurse help line, the launch of Amerigroup On Call provides members with more robust, innovative capabilities and solutions to access care quickly and more efficiently. We believe that ultimately translates into higher quality care and member satisfaction," said Dr. Mary McCluskey, executive vice president and chief medical officer for Amerigroup. 

The goal of Amerigroup On Call is to ensure members have access to immediate care to help prevent unnecessary visits to the emergency room. Nurses are now available to more than 195,000 Amerigroup Community Care members in need of urgent care, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  

The on-call nurse can:

• Schedule an urgent care appointment with the member's Primary Care Physician (PCP)
• Schedule a phone consultation with a physician
• Refer the member to urgent care centers or clinics within the Amerigroup Community Care network
• Refer the member to the nearest emergency room

"Our overall objective is to see that our members receive the right care, at the right time and the right place. By applying our resources to offer a solution for a very real need that had not been addressed until now, this innovative new pilot is a big step in the right direction," McCluskey said.

Members can access Amerigroup On Call using a new toll-free number: 1-866-864-2544 (1-866-864-2545 Spanish).  The pilot, also available in Amerigroup's Tennessee health plan, is slated for a six-month run to be evaluated on an on-going basis and at its conclusion.

About Amerigroup Corporation (NYSE: AGP)

Amerigroup, a Fortune 500 Company, coordinates services for individuals in publicly funded health care programs. Serving more than 1.9 million members in 11 states nationwide, Amerigroup accepts all eligible people regardless of age, sex, race or disability. The Company's product offerings do not utilize any individual underwriting nor deny coverage due to pre-existing medical conditions. Amerigroup is dedicated to offering real solutions that improve health care access and quality for its members, while proactively working to reduce the overall cost of care to taxpayers. Click here for more information about Amerigroup Corporation.

SOURCE Amerigroup Corporation

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