Healthways extends collaboration with Premera Blue Cross

With the extension of the agreement, Healthways and the Premera companies will continue their innovative care support program that links customizable disease management solutions with faster and more accurate claims information. This is said to hasten Premera members’ access to care which has improved medical outcomes as well as improved cost savings for members and their employers.

With the extension beginning January 1, 2009, Healthways will continue delivering its enhanced disease management solutions to Premera’s fully and self-insured employer groups and individual members.

In addition to the flexibility of the programs, Healthways program is said to have enabled Premera to launch its faster ID initiative that identifies members about 10 times faster than conventional outreach, which is achieved through its collaboration with Medco Health Solutions.

John Castiglia, senior vice president and chief medical officer of Premera, said: “This collaboration has benefited our members’ health, and has played an important role in Premera’s commitment to slowing the national trend of rapidly escalating healthcare costs.”