Horizon/Mercy Receives URAC Accreditation

Trenton, N.J., January 15, 2002 -

Horizon/Mercy announced today that it has been awarded Health Plan accreditation by URAC (also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission). Horizon/Mercy is New Jersey's largest managed healthcare organization serving the publicly insured.

Integrated networks such as health maintenance organizations, risk-assuming preferred provider organizations and other integrated health networks are eligible for health plan accreditation.

To grant accreditation, URAC evaluated Horizon/Mercy's policies and procedures as a managed care organization. Areas of review included utilization, quality and network management, provider credentialing and member protection.

"This accreditation demonstrates that our organization has the necessary processes and structures in place to provide high quality care, meet service provider needs and preserve patient rights," said Dr. Alan Adler, Horizon/Mercy's acting chief medical officer.

"Receiving URAC accreditation is an affirmation of Horizon/Mercy's continued efforts to expand our levels of excellence in serving our members and providers, and ensuring our place as The Plan of Choice," says Dr. Velvet Miller, president and CEO.

URAC is a leader in the accreditation of health and managed care organizations. Founded in 1990, URAC currently offers 13 accreditation programs that span a broad spectrum of health care services. URAC has issued more than 2,000 accreditation certificates to more than 500 health care programs. URAC-accredited organizations do business in all 50 states and provide services to more than 120 million Americans.

Garry Carneal, URAC president and CEO, said, "By applying for and receiving URAC accreditation, Horizon/Mercy has demonstrated a commitment to quality health care. 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."

Horizon/Mercy is New Jersey's largest managed healthcare organization serving the publicly insured, providing healthcare services to more than 264,000 people in all 21 New Jersey counties. With headquarters in Trenton, N.J., the organization is a partnership of Horizon Healthcare of NJ, Inc., a subsidiary of Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield (HBCBS), and Mercy Health Plan, a subsidiary of Mercy Health System in Southeastern Pennsylvania.