HARRISBURG, Pa., Nov. 6 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Taking another step toward reforming health care in Pennsylvania, Governor Edward G. Rendell today announced a $4.8 million federal grant that has been awarded to the Department of Public Welfare to help better control costs and promote a healthier, better-informed Medicaid client base.
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The grant will be used to transform the Medicaid case management process by moving people from what is commonly referred to as illness-based care, where a patient is treated only after they become ill, to wellness care.
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"This funding will allow DPW to be more proactive and help Medicaid clients stay healthy, which will benefit everyone," said Governor Rendell. "These efforts will move closer to my goals within the Prescription for Pennsylvania: to ensure that all Pennsylvanians have access to high quality and cost-effective medical care."
"We are thrilled to receive this grant from the federal government because it will help us meet Governor Rendell's objectives and enhance how we support 280,000 children and families who are enrolled in the ACCESS Plus program," said DPW Secretary Estelle B. Richman.
Wellness care provides individuals with the information and resources they need to help them prevent disease or spot it in its earliest and most treatable stage. Measures like eating a healthier diet, getting more exercise and receiving preventative screening tests -- like a mammogram or a blood sugar test -- are part of wellness care. These measures, paired with a more proactive identification of at-risk clients, and improved outreach and coordination of services will lead to healthier patient outcomes, a higher quality of care and the ability to control health care costs.
To identify the individuals who will benefit the most from wellness care, part of the grant money will be used to buy software that will use current data to identify gaps in care, monitor care history, and identify the changing health risk factors for each client. The data gathered from the program will transition into a health "to-do" list for better management of the client's health.
"Creating an environment where wellness is the shared goal between the nurse case manager and the recipient lays the groundwork for efficient and effective treatment for all," said Governor Rendell. "We continue to work diligently to make Prescription for Pennsylvania a reality and this federal grant is an important step toward reforming health care in Pennsylvania."
To learn more about Prescription for Pennsylvania visit http://www.rxforpa.com.
The Rendell administration is committed to creating a first-rate public education system, protecting our most vulnerable citizens and continuing economic investment to support our communities and businesses. To find out more about Governor Rendell's initiatives and to sign up for his weekly newsletter, visit his Web site at: http://www.governor.state.pa.us/.
CONTACT:
Gary Miller
717-783-1116
Stacey Witalec (DPW)
717-787-4592
SOURCE Pennsylvania Office of the Governor
