First Health Achieves New URAC Accreditation For Disease Management
Health benefits company utilizes integrated program to optimize care and service

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Andrea Hird
Phone: 630-737-7110
E-mail: andreahird@firsthealth.com

DOWNERS GROVE, ILL. - August 6, 2002 - First Health announced today that it has been awarded Disease Management Accreditation by URAC. URAC's Disease Management Accreditation Program promotes quality and accountability in the management of chronic diseases. First Health is among the first to achieve this important distinction.

"As one of the first organizations to earn URAC Disease Management Accreditation, First Health has displayed their leadership through a commitment to quality and accountability," said Garry Carneal, URAC president and CEO. "Such a commitment is critical to effective management of chronic diseases, resulting in better health outcomes, earlier intervention and overall better patient satisfaction."

URAC issued six accreditations for disease management. First Health's program is unique because it is comprehensive and delivered completely by a single health benefits entity. First Health developed its program to provide its clients and their members with effective services that maximize health outcomes.

"The First Health® Care Support Program is unique because we utilize medical and pharmacy data to identify members with chronic conditions early. Through our efforts, these members receive more coordinated care that optimizes their health and ultimately allows them to focus on their lives, rather than their medical condition," said Dr. Scott Smith, First Health's national medical director. "It's an honor to be recognized by URAC for our hard work."

The First Health® Care Support Program was launched in January 2000 with the dual aims of enhancing members' lives and lowering clients' chronic disease costs. The care support program is part of First Health® OnCall, a comprehensive product that also includes The First Health® Network, the First Health® Rx pharmacy benefit management program and health plan administration.

The care support program provides each member with a nurse case manager who works continuously with the individual to help manage their condition. Health plan members have confirmed that this partnership enhances member well-being, compliance and overall productivity.

The URAC Disease Management Accreditation Program Standards were released on April 15, 2002 and address specific accountabilities for disease management interventions and performance reporting. Specific standards address:

• The scope and interventions offered by the disease management program;
• The types of performance measures and methods for measurement used by the disease management program;
• Rights and responsibilities of participants;
• Methods for population management, including stratification and engagement;
• Disease management program design, including assessment and education of participants

The standards were developed through a broad-based committee process, and are designed to promote best practices in an essential care management strategy for individuals with chronic diseases. They emphasize evidence-based practice, collaborative relationships with providers, consumer education and shared-decision making.

URAC is a leader in the accreditation of health and managed care organizations. Founded in 1990, URAC currently offers 14 accreditation programs that span a broad spectrum of health care services. URAC has issued over 2,300 accreditation certificates to more than 500 health care programs. URAC-accredited organizations do business in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and Canada and provide services to more than 120 million Americans.

First Health, the premier full-service national health benefits company, specializes in providing large employers with one integrated source for group health and workers' compensation. By combining pioneering technology with expert industry knowledge, First Health delivers comprehensive, cost-effective solutions for its clients nationally. For more information, visit the company website at www.firsthealth.com.