URAC

URAC is nationally recognized as the leading entity for accrediting specialty health plans. By applying for and receiving URAC accreditation, American Specialty Health Insurance Company (ASH Insurance Company), American Specialty Health Networks, Inc. (ASH Networks), American Specialty Health Plans of California, Inc. (ASH Plans), American Specialty Health IPA of New York, Inc. (ASH IPA), American Specialty Health ODS of New Jersey, Inc. (ASH ODS), American Specialty Health Networks of South Dakota, Inc. (ASH Networks SD), and Healthyroads, Inc, have demonstrated the commitment to be measured by nationally accepted health care benchmarks. This accreditation assures health plans, employer groups, members, and providers that ASH maintains the infrastructure and processes necessary to promote high-quality health care.

The URAC health program accreditations received by ASH include a comprehensive review of organizational structure, administrative services, network management, quality management, utilization management, provider services, provider credentialing, member participation and protection, and claims processing. Although URAC also offers a certification process available to organizations that opt for a less comprehensive evaluation, ASH has chosen to pursue full accreditation rather than the certification process.

ASH continues to apply for and receive reaccreditation in these areas.

• Health Plan (including chiropractic, acupuncture, massage therapy, naturopathy, and dietetic counseling programs)
• Health Network with Credentialing (including chiropractic, acupuncture, massage therapy, naturopathy, and dietetic counseling programs)
• Health Utilization Management (including chiropractic, acupuncture, massage therapy, naturopathy, and dietetic counseling programs)
• Workers' Compensation Utilization Management (including chiropractic and acupuncture programs)
• Workers’ Compensation Network (including chiropractic and acupuncture programs)

Additionally in 2002, Healthyroads.com^® became one of the first Web sites to be awarded Health Web Site Accreditation from URAC. Healthyroads.com is committed to meeting URAC accreditation by providing accurate and timely information, and health and wellness products that are tested for safety and quality. By achieving URAC accreditation, Healthyroads.com met a series of strict standards that were developed to foster trust between Healthyroads.com and its visitors.

In November 2003, Healthyroads.com was awarded full reaccreditation by URAC and an additional site, ASHCompanies.com was accredited.

ASHCompanies.com is the ASH corporate Web site offering information to its providers, members, health plans, and the general public.

ASH continues to apply for and receive reaccreditation for these Web sites.

• Claims Processing
• HIPAA Privacy
• HIPAA Security

In 2006, ASH’s Chief Medical Officer, Robert Crocker, MD, was appointed chairman of URAC’s Board of Directors. Crocker occupies a seat reserved for the American Association of Preferred Provider Organizations (AAPPO), a charter member of URAC’s board. This appointment helps to ensure ASH’s compliance with URAC standards.

In 2007, ASH once again received full URAC HIPAA Privacy and Security Accreditation.

The Claims Processing accreditation process validates that standards are met in areas such as accuracy, timeliness, notification to claimants, and quality monitoring.

The HIPAA Privacy and Security accreditations outline a framework of best practices that describe the operational policies and procedures necessary for an effective HIPAA compliance program.

ASH continues to apply for and receive reaccreditation in these areas.

NCQA

The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) is a private, not-for-profit organization whose mission is to improve the quality of health care through measurement, transparency, and accountability. NCQA programs aim to generate useful and understandable information about health care quality to help inform consumer and employer choice.

In 2007, ASH successfully renewed NCQA’s “organizational certification” in credentialing and utilization management. The new certification is effective October 12, 2007 through October 12, 2009.

The certification applies to two ASH subsidiaries, American Specialty Health Plans of California, Inc. (ASH Plans) and American Specialty Health Networks, Inc. (ASH Networks).

In October 2005, ASH Networks and ASH Plans became the first complementary health care companies to receive NCQA Organization Certification for both Utilization Management and Credentialing. Organization Certification requires a rigorous survey process designed to evaluate both clinical and administrative systems, and focuses on consumer protection and improvement in service to customers. Standards recognize that organizations that apply for certification have open-access networks, and can improve service quality and utilize customized structures to meet purchaser needs.

ASH is committed to maintaining URAC accreditation and NCQA Organization Certification in Utilization Management and Credentialing. More information is available at the URAC Web site (www.urac.org) and at the NCQA Web site (www.ncqa.org).

Awards

• “Best in Show,” eXtremeQUIT^® teen tobacco cessation materials
• Gold Award, Brochures—Series (3 or more color): eXtremeQUIT teen tobacco cessation materials
• Gold Award, Brochures—Single (3 or more colors): 2006 Year in Review brochure
• Gold Award, Special Events, Internal: Multiple-Day Event: “I Stepped it Up with George & Bob” Walking Challenge
• Silver Award, Special Events, Internal: Single-Day Event: 2007 “Sea of Stars” Corporate Awards Banquet
• Silver Award, Brochures—Single (3 or more colors): Health Plan Sales Brochure
• Silver Award, Brochures—Series (3 or more colors): eXtremeFUN™ Parent Supplemental Guides
• Bronze Award, Public Relations Campaigns, Internal: ASH Internal Wellness Campaign
• Bronze Award, Audio/Visual External Video Program: FitnessCoach^® health improvement online Flash classes

• Gold Award, Brochures— Single (3 or more colors): 2005 Year in Review
• Gold Award, Brochures—Series (3 or more colors): Healthyroads eXtremeFUN Weight Management for Kids and Teens
• Gold Award, Special Events, External: Multiple-Day Event: ASH Bridges to Better Health Conference
• Silver Award, Brochures—Single (3 or more colors): Health Plan Sales Brochure

• Grand Award, Electronic & Video Publications (For Profit): Silver&Fit^® Healthy Aging DVD
• Award of Excellence, Web & Intranet Sites: www.QuitAndFit.com tobacco cessation Web site
• Award of Excellence, Health, Fitness, & Medical Materials: eXtremeFUN childhood obesity educational materials
• Award of Excellence, Meeting & Event Campaigns & Programs: Bridges to Better Health Conference

San Diego Business Journal Names ASH CEO George DeVries a “Health Care Champion” Finalist

ASH Recognized as Finalist in URAC’s Best Practices in Consumer Empowerment and Protection Awards

San Diego Magazine Lists ASH Among the 10 Best Places Workplaces in San Diego

National Initiative for Children’s Healthcare Quality (NICHQ) Names Healthyroads’ eXtremeFUN Weight Management Program for Children and Teens One of the Nation’s Best

• Silver Award, Best Site Design: Healthyroads.com
• Award of Distinction, Best Overall Internet Site: Healthyroads.com

• Gold Award, Brochures—Single (3 or more colors): 2003 Year in Review brochure
• Gold Award, Advertising—Direct Mail/Direct Response: Broker Road Show Invitation
• Gold Award, Internal Communications: ASH Internal Communications Plan
• Gold Award, Off-the-Wall: “Walk the Talk” Challenge
• Gold Award, Web Site Redesign: ASHcompanies.com.
• Gold Award, Interactive CD-ROMS: Healthyroads for Living Premium Tobacco Cessation Module
• Silver Award, Special Publications: Healthyroads for Living Cookbook
• Silver Award, Web Site Redesign: www.HealthyRoads.com
• Silver Award, E-zines/Internet Newsletters: ASH News Flash

ASH CEO George DeVries Receives 2005 “BC Superstars” Award from Benefits & Compensation Solutions Magazine

• Bronze Award, for “Walk the Talk” pedometer contest

• Gold Award, poster: “Walk the Talk” pedometer contest
• Merit Award, brochure: 2002 Year in Review
• Merit Award, calendar: Holiday card calendar
• Merit Award, other: ASH Trade Show Exhibit
• Merit Award, Web site: ASH News Flash

• 2004 Award of Distinction, for article published in Employee Benefits Journal, authored by ASH CEO George DeVries

• World Wide Web Health Awards (Best E-Commerce Site, 4 Gold Awards in categories of Health Promotion, Disease Prevention, Patient Education, and Private Business)

• World Wide Web Health Awards (6 Bronze Awards in categories of Advertising and Marketing for HMO/Managed Care Systems, Insurance Company, and Private Business)

• Gold Award, Special Publications: Healthyroads Premium Weight Management Module
• Gold Award, Interactive Communications: ASH News Flash
• Gold Award, Publications/Collateral Design: Health Net of Oregon Brochure
• Silver Award, Exhibits: American Specialty Health Exhibit
• Silver Award, Direct Mail: Provider Recruitment Brochures

• Bronze Award, Patient Education Information/Audio: Healthyroads Module
• Bronze Award, Patient Education Information/Books: Healthyroads Guidebook
• Merit Award, Complementary Health Care Education: ASH Educational Brochures
   

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