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Seven great reasons to renew with Providence Health Plan

Renewal season begins with a look back at our successful partnership in 2008 and a look ahead at Providence Health Plan's competitive advantage in 2009.

Financial stability

  • As the only A ("Excellent") A.M. Best-rated health plan in Oregon and the highest rated provider-sponsored health plan nationally, Providence Health Plan is uniquely positioned to provide financial stability to its clients and members.
  • Sound financial investments and a responsible growth strategy have largely insulated Providence Health Plan and its sponsor organization, Providence Health & Services, from the bond market turmoil now troubling other local health care insurers and provider organizations. A long-term strategy of funding capital projects with a conservative mix of bonds, revenue funds and successful fund raising is contributing to the success of both Providence organizations.
  • Chief executives across Oregon have named Providence Health Plan a "Top 10 Most Admired Health Care Company" in Portland Business Journal for three years running (2006, 2007 and 2008). In 2008, Portland Business Journal named Providence Health Plan CEO Jack Friedman their Health Care CEO of the Year.

A commitment to controlling health care costs

  • In direct comparison to competitors in Oregon and southwest Washington, Providence Health Plan rated "best in market" in hospital and professional contracting (within the study's margin of error) according to 2008 research conducted by Axene Health Partners. In addition, Providence Health Plan enjoys best-in-market rates with Providence facilities.
  • Pay for performance is an important shift away from the pay-for-service reimbursement model that is driving the escalation in health care costs. Today, 50 percent of claims that Providence Health Plan pays for specialty care are paid to a provider who is engaged in at least one of our performance incentive programs. Additionally, 70 percent of primary care physicians in our Portland service area participate in these programs, which support evidence-based health care for our members.
  • Premiums for individual Medicare plans that include Medicare Part D prescription drug benefits were reduced by $1 for 2009. There were no premium increases for individual Medicare plans for 2009.

National provider network expansion

  • Thanks to 24 percent growth in our network since 2006 and an ambitious statewide expansion in 2008, Providence Health Plan's proprietary network offers coverage at competitive discounts throughout Oregon and southwest Washington.
  • By partnering with First Choice in Washington and Multiplan/PHCS nationally, Providence Health Plan ensures that employees and dependents have in-plan access to over 540,000 providers, 4,000 hospitals and 78,000 facilities.

Investments in value-driven health care

  • Five Value Based Open Option medical plans and four Value Based Prescription Plans were added in 2008 to Providence Health Plan's product portfolio. These plans are designed to encourage healthy behaviors with low copays for screenings, doctor visits and preventive medicine, and incentives for using value and generic drugs.

New tools for wellness and disease prevention

  • An online health risk assessment, electronic personal health record and online help for more than 50 chronic and acute health problems – such as allergies, diabetes and back pain - are now available through www.myprovidence.org.
  • New tools for promoting wellness at the workplace are available at no cost to fully insured groups through Health BalanceSM at www.providence.org/php/wellness.

Award-winning disease management programs

  • In 2008, Providence Health Plan earned a 2008-2009 Recognition of Excellence in Disease Management by Disease Management Purchasing Consortium International, Inc., for Asthma Disease Management, Asthma Admission Avoidance and Coronary Artery Disease Management.

Community benefit

  • The Providence Health Plan Mission calls on us to provide compassionate service to all, especially the poor and vulnerable. In response to increased economic hardship in the communities we serve, Providence Health & Services has made substantial year-end gifts to community agencies and organizations. These gifts – given in the name of Providence employees – total $366,000. They will go to local safety net organizations chosen by Providence entities in each Oregon service area. In addition, we are donating $150,000 to the Oregon Food Bank.
  • Providence Health & Services facilities have increased financial assistance to patients by more than 50 percent compared to this time last year.
  • Providence Health Plan was awarded a Top 10 ranking in the 2008 Portland Business Journal Corporate Philanthropy Awards for large companies.
  • Through our community benefits program, Providence Health Plan contributed more than $600,000 to health care programs that support the poor and vulnerable in Oregon and southwest Washington.
  • Providence Health Plan supports the work of employees who are active volunteers in diverse community organizations, including Susan G. Komen for the Cure, Camp Erin, Our House of Portland, the United Way, Mercy Corps, Medical Teams International and other groups.



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