For Immediate Release
January 31, 2005

Contact:
Beryl Wolfe
(207)883-6083
E-mail: beryl@wolfenews.com
Web Site: http://www.martinspoint.org

The US Family Health Plan at Martin’s Point Health Care announced today that it has been awarded Health Network Accreditation from URAC, a Washington, DC-based health care accrediting organization that establishes quality standards for the health care industry.

“The US Family Health Plan at Martin’s Point is honored to receive Health Network Accreditation from URAC,” said David H. Howes, MD, president of Martin’s Point Health Care and program director for the US Family Health Plan at Martin’s Point. “We are very pleased to be recognized in the industry for providing outstanding services. Such a distinction also underscores the quality of our work with customers, patients, clients, payors, and providers by demonstrating compliance with national standards for case management services.”

The US Family Health Plan at Martin’s Point provides health care services and plan administration to more than 22,000 military retirees, their dependents, and active-duty families throughout Maine and southern New Hampshire. For additional information on Martin's Point Health Care and the US Family Health Plan, visit online at www.martinspoint.org and www.usfamilyhealthplan.org.

“By applying for and receiving URAC Health Network Accreditation, the US Family Health Plan at Martin’s Point has demonstrated a commitment to quality health care,” said Garry Carneal, URAC president and CEO. “Quality health care is crucial to our nation’s welfare and it is important to have organizations that are willing to measure themselves against national standards.”

URAC’s Health Network Accreditation standards include key quality benchmarks for network management, provider credentialing, utilization management, quality management and improvement and consumer protection.

URAC, an independent, nonprofit organization, is a leader in promoting health care quality through accreditation and certification programs. URAC's standards keep pace with the rapid changes in the health care system, and provide a mark of distinction for health care organizations to demonstrate their commitment to quality and accountability. Through its broad-based governance structure and an inclusive standards development process, URAC ensures that all stakeholders are represented in setting meaningful standards for the health care industry. For more information, visit .

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