Androscoggin Home Care & Hospice Announces Grant Award From the Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation

LEWISTON, Maine, Nov. 9, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Androscoggin Home Care & Hospice (AHCH) achieved another major milestone this fall as it brought on line its 50^th Honeywell HomMed Genesis Monitor and a new Healthwyse software system for tracking in-home monitoring data as part of its Heart Failure Care Coordination Program.

Generous grant support from the Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Foundation played a pivotal role in the Agency's acquisition of this updated technology to support high-risk heart failure patients at home and help them avoid unnecessary re-hospitalization.

"Our Agency and our healthcare partners at Central Maine Medical Center and other regional hospitals are excited about our ability to successfully manage care in a home setting for individuals with chronic medical conditions such as heart failure," said Julie Shackley, AHCH President & CEO.  "Through use of proven technology that offers patients daily vital sign monitoring and shared care coordination responsibilities we are assuring a safe transition from the hospital to home."

The Heart Failure Care Coordination Program was launched in 2009. With this latest investment, the program will annually serve 300 patients. It follows a "best practice" care plan model by combining in home monitoring with patient education that increases their knowledge of their condition, understanding of self care measures that decrease risk related to diet and medications and ability to monitor symptoms that may require intervention by their physician.

"Heart disease in Maine is a major cause of death and disability," said Dan Corcoran, President and General Manager, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Maine. "This partnership has a major positive impact on those with heart disease, enabling them to better manage their condition and enjoy increased quality of life.  Additionally, this program will help lower costs by reducing the number of re-admissions.  We are thrilled to support this effort."

About AHCH

Androscoggin Home Care & Hospice (AHCH) is Maine's largest nonprofit, Medicare-certified agency. The Agency annually provides skilled home care, supportive care, and hospice care for nearly 8,000 residents of central, western, and portions of mid-coast Maine. In November 2005, AHCH opened Maine's first inpatient hospice facility. The 14-bed facility is located in Auburn Maine.

AHCH meets all State home care and hospice licensing standards, and is accredited by the Joint Commission.

More information about AHCH can be found at the Agency's web site, www.ahch.org.

About Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Maine

Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Maine is the trade name of Anthem Health Plans of Maine, Inc., an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. ®ANTHEM is a registered trademark of Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc. The Blue Cross and Blue Shield names and symbols are registered marks of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.   Additional information about Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Maine is available at www.anthem.com.

SOURCE Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Maine