FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

"Consumerism in health care is a rapidly emerging trend as individuals are becoming more accountable, knowledgeable, and actively engaged in managing their health," said David Henderson, MVP Health Care executive vice president and chief marketing officer. "Our goal with this integrated consumer directed suite is to combine the information our members need with innovative wellness programs that make it possible for them to be healthier and reduce their overall health care costs," he said.

Several features set the new generation MVP Health Care plans apart from older, more traditional high deductible plans:

Secure Member Information Portal: This new generation of high deductible plans puts all the information members need to take full advantage of their consumer directed health plan in one easy to track location through an integrated, secure member Web portal where members can track health benefit, claims and deductible information and HSA account information.

Microsoft HealthVault: The new plans include access to the Microsoft HealthVault where members can securely upload claim information to a security-enhanced, flexible health solutions platform that puts consumers in control of their health information. HealthVault gives members access to their health care data whenever and wherever they need it. The information stored in HealthVault is portable and the member keeps the information regardless of where they work or what health plan they belong to in the future.

HealthGrades Quality of Care Information: The new plans provide members with access to physician and hospital quality information powered by HealthGrades through the MVP Health Care Web site online provider search directory making this information extremely easy for MVP members to access.

"High deductible health consumer directed plans combined with Health Savings Accounts are an excellent option for employers who need to control costs, but it has been difficult for members to use and manage the tax-advantaged accounts," said Henderson. "Our new integrated solution means members spend less personal time spent filing forms and tracking expenses. Weve applied innovative technology to unlock the potential of these plans to empower members to be true health care consumers," he said.

Wellness and prevention are built in: Preventive care is covered in full and is not subject to the plan deductible. These plans also offer MVP's "WellStyle" Extras program, a healthy living and wellness education incentive program, that includes access to Personal Lifestyle coaches, who work with members one-on-one to help them quit smoking, lose weight, develop exercise programs, and manage stress. Lifestyle Coaches offer self-help health improvement programs that focus on weight loss, quitting smoking, and disease prevention. Members can get up to 52, one-half hour telephonic coaching sessions per year supported by online tools. The "WellStyle Extras" program allows members to earn rewards worth up to $300 per contract, payable in checks or gift cards for taking an active role in their health and participating in health improvement and wellness programs such as health coaching.

All MVP Health Care plans include the Core Wellness Package, which offers a wide range of wellness programs and services:

- Care management to assist members with pregnancies, and many chronic conditions such as diabetes, asthma, low back pain, depression and more.

- Access to an Online Personal Wellness Center featuring a Personal Health Assessment tool that creates a customized health action plan for each member, as well as a variety of interactive tools that can be tailored a members unique interests and lifestyle goals.

- The 24/7 Nurseline, which connects members with health questions to registered nurses seven days a week, anytime of the day or night.

New York lags behind neighboring states: An analysis of enrollment data in high deductible consumer directed plans comparing other states with New York state finds enrollment in New York lagging behind other states including Vermont and New Hampshire. For example, 3.5 percent of New Hampshire residents and 4.9 percent of Vermont residents are enrolled in high deductible consumer directed plans while one percent of New Yorkers are enrolled in similar plans.

Enrollment in high deductible plans linked to health savings accounts continues to grow, according to recent data complied by Americas Health Insurance Plans (AHIP). The current recession, which has forced employers to cut costs and has prompted consumers to boost their personal savings is likely to fuel even more growth in HSA-linked consumer directed health plans (CDHP) in all states including New York.