Bravo Health

News Release

Bravo Health Presents Network Quality Improvement Program Bonus to Baltimore Medical System

First Bonus Checks Paid to Primary Care Providers this Month

(BALTIMORE, MD — September 29, 2008) — As part of its Network Quality Improvement Program (NQIP), Bravo Health presented a bonus to Baltimore Medical System (BMS). Officially launched in January 2008, NQIP is Bravo Health's special voluntary program for primary care providers that aims to improve the quality and appropriateness of health care delivery.

Bravo Health, a Medicare Advantage plan dedicated to providing beneficiaries access to high quality, cost-effective health care, began paying the first NQIP bonus checks in September 2008. BMS is a primary care practice serving more than 1,000 Bravo Health members in several communities within Baltimore City and Baltimore County.

"By supplying meaningful clinical information and practical guidance, Bravo Health helps primary care physicians provide timely, appropriate and impactful care to our members," said Ace Hodgin, M.D., executive vice president and chief medical officer of Bravo Health. "NQIP makes it easy and rewarding to meet the requirements. The more successful providers are in reaching the program goals, the more successful Bravo Health is in making sure our members receive the best possible health care."

Under NQIP, Bravo Health staff meets with participating providers monthly to review detailed reports on their patients who are Bravo Health members. The reports include actionable data on the following five selected quality measures:

• Mammograms to screen for breast cancer
• Cholesterol screening
• Retinal eye exams for diabetic patients
• Glaucoma eye exams
• Blood tests for diabetes control

The report also includes information on health care efficiency, including data on patients' hospital and/or emergency room care and prescription information.

"The monthly staff visits and detailed reports give us a clear roadmap to follow in addressing the needs of our patients," said David Silver, D.O., medical director of BMS. "Our mission at BMS is to improve health and wellness in the communities we serve by providing safe, high quality, accessible and affordable care. Through NQIP, Bravo Health helps us reach that goal."

In the photo (left to right):
Scott Keim, Senior VP and Interim Executive Director of Bravo Health Mid-Atlantic; Bonnie Tegen, Director of Quality, Baltimore Medical System; Ursula Parker, Quality Review Coordinator, Baltimore Medical System; Mary Ann Eull, VP, Network Management, Bravo Health Mid-Atlantic.