Intracorp Announces California Medical Provider Network Solution

Intracorp Announces California Medical Provider Network Solution

PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 17, 2004 /PRNewswire/ -- Intracorp today introduced a comprehensive Medical Provider Network (MPN) solution for California companies preparing to file their MPN plans with the state in accordance with California's new workers' compensation law. Intracorp's MPN solution is comprised of a five-part industry leading offering for customers:

-- access to Intracorp's vast provider network to develop preferred
physician panels tailored to customers' needs;
-- new web-based provider access tools, to locate profiled, preferred
providers;
-- consultation and program design to help companies meet specific
requirements of the law concerning continuity of care, transfer of
care and facilitation of second and third opinions;
-- a "turn-key" filing kit, fully compliant with California's new
regulations, so companies can submit their MPN plans with ease;
-- a dedicated national program team of clinical, vocational and
compliance experts with California-based service operations and
account management.



"The California MPN builds on Intracorp's existing customer-specific network strategy and offers California companies choice and customization in their MPN filing. With more points of access and providers than any other network, Intracorp can create a statewide and localized selection of providers that delivers the best outcomes," said Fred Scardellette, vice president, Intracorp Product Management and Marketing.

Intracorp's MPN offers more than 133,000 points of access for care and more than 3,700 occupational clinics and practices, serving all 58 California counties. Within this broad network, Intracorp's customers will be able to customize and implement the MPN solution that meets their business and location needs.

The MPN customization is made possible through Intracorp's new technology, an advanced, web-based search engine constructed exclusively for California. "Our new technology includes a sophisticated profiling model that makes it easier than ever for companies to locate providers and direct their ill or injured employees to participating providers based on clinical best practice outcomes. This ensures that customers have both choice and quality in the creation of their preferred physician panels," Scardellette said.

Another key feature of Intracorp's MPN services will be assistance to companies in managing specific requirements of the new law related to continuity of care when a provider is no longer part of the network, transfer of care into and within the network, and a process for facilitating a second and third opinion within the network. "Intracorp's range of services will include consultation on a company's program design, along with care management and return-to-work resources to help companies meet the specific demands of the new law," Scardellette said. "Our goal is to help companies maximize medical cost management opportunities in a way that is mutually beneficial to employers and their employees."

To learn more about Intracorp's California MPN, contact an Intracorp sales executive or the California Program Team at MPNinfo@mail.intracorp.com.

About Intracorp

In the past five years, Intracorp has managed more than 550,000 California claims with annual savings of $167 million. Intracorp's best practice clinical and return-to-work case management services have resulted in a 96 percent return-to-work rate for those customers participating in these programs.

Intracorp has been delivering services to California's injured workers and claims payers for 35 years. Intracorp's market leadership is demonstrated through award-winning technology and recognition by Business Insurance as number one in case management for the past five years. A CIGNA subsidiary, Intracorp helps employers maximize their health care, workers compensation and disability benefits programs to enhance the well-being and productivity of their workforce. Intracorp also offers disease management, utilization management, return-to-work programs, ergonomic consulting, provider bill review, provider network access, and information management services. CIGNA uses Intracorp's industry-leading case management to serve CIGNA's health and disability customers. For more information, visit Intracorp's website at: http://www.intracorp.com/ .


Source: Intracorp

CONTACT: Gloria Barone for Intracorp, +1-215-761-4758,
Gloria.barone@cigna.com

Web site: http://www.intracorp.com/


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