Highmark Inc. partners with industry leader to bring personalized service and enhanced care to seniors following hospital stays

PITTSBURGH, May 20, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- After a hospital stay, many seniors require extended care at rehabilitation facilities, nursing homes, long-term care hospitals or in their own home. Recognizing that navigating this process can be stressful for members and their caregivers, Highmark Inc. has initiated a three-year partnership with naviHealth, a national post-acute care management company, to bring a personalized approach to support its Medicare Advantage members across Pennsylvania.

"This service will ensure that our members are receiving the right care in the setting that is most appropriate for their continued recovery," said Donald R. Fischer, M.D., Highmark's chief medical officer. "This partnership is another way we're serving as a leader and differentiating ourselves by being the first in our market to offer this innovative care delivery approach."

In alignment with patient needs, naviHealth will utilize decision-support technology and its post-acute analytics platform to coordinate long-term acute care, inpatient rehabilitation and skilled nursing facility utilization as well as oversee proper care transitions to and from these facilities. Onsite care coordinators will ensure that members and their caregivers understand and have been educated about the post-acute care options that are available. This service will become part of Medicare Advantage members' existing benefit plans beginning on Aug. 1 at no additional charge.

"The service will improve overall health outcomes for our members and increase efficiency through the post-acute care network," Fischer said. "It offers support to the caregiver by helping them make informed decisions during what can be a stressful time, as well as improving the overall health and longevity of our members by ensuring they receive the care they need."   

With more than 285,000 members across Pennsylvania, Highmark is currently the largest Medicare Advantage plan in the state.

About Highmark Inc.

Highmark Inc. is among the largest health insurers in the United States and the fourth-largest Blue Cross and Blue Shield-affiliated company. Highmark and its diversified businesses and affiliates operate health insurance plans in Pennsylvania, Delaware and West Virginia that serve 5.2 million members. Its diversified health businesses serve group customer and individual health needs across the United States through dental insurance, vision care and other related health businesses. Highmark is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association, an association of independent Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies. For more information, visit www.highmark.com.

About naviHealth

naviHealth partners with health plans, health systems, accountable care organizations and post-acute providers to manage the entire continuum of post-acute care. The company utilizes evidence-based protocols and technology-enabled services to optimize care and align all stakeholders. naviHealth has more than a decade of experience managing post-acute care and currently serves approximately 1.8 million Medicare lives.

SOURCE Highmark Inc.

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