Harvard Pilgrim Named Best Health Plan in U.S. by National Magazine

Harvard Pilgrim Health Care is the #1 health plan in America, according
to a joint ranking by U.S. News and World Report and the National
Committee for Quality Assurance. Harvard Pilgrim Health
Care of New England, Harvard Pilgrim’s New Hampshire affiliate, is the
#2 health plan in America.

The October 10, 2005 edition of U.S. News and World Report ranks, for the first time, the nation’s best health plans and determined that Harvard Pilgrim leads the country for member satisfaction and quality of care.

The U.S. News and World Report/NCQA “America’s Best Health Plans 2005” list was determined by data is drawn from NCQA’s Quality Compass 2005, which publicly reports comparative results of more than 260 commercial health plans covering more than 61 million Americans. Health plan members throughout the country were surveyed on issues such as access to care and overall satisfaction. The NCQA also reviewed health plans’ prevention measures and treatment outcomes to calculate an overall quality score.

“We work hard everyday to make our members feel like they are the only one and it is gratifying to see that these efforts are being recognized nationally. This acknowledgment is especially meaningful since it comes from our own members,” said Charles D. Baker, president and CEO of Harvard Pilgrim Health Care. “We thank our members for the opportunity and privilege to be their trusted health care partner, and pledge that we will continue to ensure that they receive world-class care and service.”

“Our strategy has been to support the relationship between our members and their doctors with outreach, education, online support and incentives that reward high quality care,” said Roberta Herman, MD, Harvard Pilgrim’s senior vice president and chief medical officer. “We are extremely grateful for the external recognition and are delighted to share it with the thousands of dedicated medical providers that care for our members each and every day.”

Harvard Pilgrim Health Care is the only health plan to earn the nation’s top rating from NCQA two years in a row. In 2004, NCQA issued two “top ten” lists of the nation’s top-performing health plans in terms of quality of care and member satisfaction and Harvard Pilgrim achieved the unprecedented milestone by becoming the first health plan to be rated #1 for both member satisfaction and effectiveness of care.

J.D. Power and Associates has also recognized Harvard Pilgrim as a Distinguished Health Plan for providing “An Outstanding Member Experience” to its HMO members in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine.

Harvard Pilgrim Health Care is a not-for-profit health plan with approximately 900,000 members and a network of more than 22,000 doctors and 130 hospitals.

Topics USA