2007 Press Releases

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CARESOURCE CONTRACTS WITH LIFEMASTERS TO SUPPORT SERVICE OFFERING TO AGED, BLIND, DISABLED BENEFICIARIES IN OHIO Contract offers services to individuals with coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes, hypertension and asthma. South San Francisco, Calif. & Dayton, Ohio, March 26, 2007 – LifeMasters Supported SelfCare, Inc., a national leader in providing disease management programs and services, and CareSource, a managed care organization that provides health care benefits for Medicaid recipients in Ohio, announced today that they have signed an agreement to provide care management services to Aged, Blind and/or Disabled (ABD) Medicaid beneficiaries in Ohio. Under the new contract, ABD members enrolled in CareSource will have access to LifeMasters’ care management programs to improve their health outcomes and learn how to better manage their chronic conditions. Conditions covered include coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, diabetes, hypertension and asthma. “We chose LifeMasters because of their ongoing commitment and track record in providing exceptional care management services to underserved Medicaid populations,” said Candi Freil, Senior Vice President of Care Management at CareSource. “We are excited about offering these needed services to our Aged, Blind and/or Disabled members and look forward to integrating the LifeMasters programs with our diverse spectrum of benefits.” Freil has implemented a continuum of care model at CareSource that provides case management services to members at all levels of health. The LifeMasters model provides the expertise required in multiple areas along this continuum. Program participants will receive coaching and regular telephonic support from their own personal health coach. They will learn how to monitor their vital signs and symptoms to detect early changes in their health status, such as blood glucose levels, and blood pressure.  An integral part of the program includes integrating the members’ physicians by alerting them to significant changes in their patient’s health between office visits so they can intervene early to avoid emergency room visits and hospitalizations.  “We are looking forward to partnering with CareSource so that together we can have an impact on the health of Ohio Medicaid beneficiaries,” said David R. Strand, President and Chief Executive Officer of LifeMasters. “By providing individuals with the education and tools they need to better manage their health, we hope to jointly work to help individuals achieve and maintain optimal health while reducing medical costs for all.” Currently, LifeMasters provides disease management programs to dually-eligible (Medicaid/Medicare) beneficiaries in Florida through a CMS demonstration project to Medicaid beneficiaries in Texas, New Mexico, and Georgia, in partnership with Medicaid managed care organizations, and other Ohioans in partnership with retirement organizations. About CareSource CareSource is a nonprofit health plan founded on the principles of quality and service, delivered with compassion and a thorough understanding of the Medicaid consumer.  By staying true to its mission of making a difference in the lives of underserved people by improving their health care, CareSource has become one of the largest and fastest growing Medicaid managed care plans in the nation.  CareSource now serves more than 520,000 Medicaid consumers in Ohio.  With a strong focus on preventative care, CareSource utilizes a continuum of care model that provides case management services to members at all stages of health and illness.  In addition to all required services, CareSource offers extra benefits such as a 24-hour nurse advice line, transportation to doctor’s appointments, and a variety of care management programs.  For additional information about CareSource, visit www.caresource-ohio.com. CareSource is serviced by CareSource Management Group, which offers a full spectrum of services for the administration of public-sector health care programs.  Among these services are general administration, including claims processing, case and medical management, provider relations, decision support informatics, quality improvement and regulatory compliance; member services, including a member call center and 24-hour nurse advice line; and financial consultation and turnaround. About LifeMasters Supported SelfCare LifeMasters Supported SelfCare, Inc. is a leading provider of disease management programs and services that create health partnerships among individuals, their physicians and payors. Its mission is to empower individuals to achieve and maintain optimal health. The programs improve quality of care for people with chronic illnesses, reduce chronic-disease costs for payors and provide decision-support tools for physicians. LifeMasters offers programs for individuals with diabetes, congestive heart failure (CHF), coronary artery disease (CAD), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) hypertension and asthma (all of which are fully accredited by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) and URAC), cancer metabolic syndrome and musculo-skeletal pain.   LifeMasters’ programs are holistically focused, support co-morbidities such as depression and facilitate lifestyle changes such as smoking cessation and weight loss.  LifeMasters provides services to more than 600,000 people throughout the nation. Founded in 1994 by a physician, LifeMasters works with some of the nation’s leading health plans, employers, retirement systems and governmental organizations, including Aetna, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, State Teachers Retirement System of Ohio, Presbyterian Health Services in New Mexico, and CMS.  More information about LifeMasters can be found at www.lifemasters.com.

Contacts: Barbara Gideon LifeMasters (650) 829-5287 bgideon@lifemasters.com

Michelle Chapman CareSource 937-531-2910 michelle.chapman@csmg-online.com