Gateway Health Plan^Ò Maintains Highest Rating by

National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA^Ò)

PITTSBURGH, PA (May 6, 2009) – Gateway Health Plan^Ò again earned the highest possible rating by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA^Ò) for its Medicaid HMO product. Following an on-site survey in March 2009, Gateway Health Plan received a three year Excellent accreditation, marking the fifth consecutive time the plan has received NCQA’s highest rating. 

The survey results were based on the Plan’s 2008 HEDIS^Ò and CAHPS^Ò scores, a review of utilization management, complex case management, credentialing and appeal files, and an assessment of plan performance against NCQA's standards.  The Excellent status is based on service and clinical quality that meets or exceeds NCQA’s rigorous requirements for consumer protection and quality improvement.  It is a reflection of the high quality of care that Gateway Health Plan provides to its members on a daily basis. 

“This NCQA rating is an independent validation of Gateway Health Plan’s commitment to quality,” said Michael Blackwood, President and Chief Executive Officer of Gateway Health Plan, Inc. “We are pleased that Gateway received the highest level of accreditation available from the organization that is the industry standard for assessing the quality of managed care organizations.  With this rating, NCQA has reassured our members that we are keeping our promise to provide them with access to quality health care.”

About Gateway Health Plan^Ò

Gateway Health Plan is a top-ranked managed care organization that provides service to more than 244,000 members eligible for medical assistance. Established in 1992 as an alternative to Pennsylvania’s Department of Public Welfare's Medical Assistance Program, Gateway Health Plan^Ò currently operates in 39 counties in Pennsylvania.  Gateway Health Plan Medicare Assured^SM, a Special Needs Plan for those eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid, is one the nation’s largest Medicare programs for the dual-eligible population with nearly 24,000 members. Gateway’s mission is to provide accessible, quality health care services to its members.

The National Committee for Quality Assurance is a private, not-for-profit organization dedicated to improving health care quality. Since its founding in 1990, NCQA^Ò has been a central figure in driving improvement throughout the health care system, helping to elevate the issue of health care quality to the top of the national agenda.  For more information about NCQA, please visit www.ncqa.org.