PRESS RELEASES

CSG’S PPO, CHN, RECEIVES URAC HEALTH NETWORK WITH CREDENTIALING ACCREDITATION

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Missy Pudimott

Date: February 6,2006

(800) 225-4246 ext. 6493

missy.pudimott@chn.com

 

Hamilton, New Jersey CHN PPO, a division of Consolidated Services Group, Inc. (CSG), announced today that it has been awarded accreditation for Health Network with Credentialing from URAC, a Washington, DC-based health care accrediting organization that establishes quality standards for the health care industry. CHN PPO was the first independent PPO in New Jersey to be accredited by URAC in May 1995 and has continued to hold accreditation since. Additionally, re-accreditation is required by the organization every two years. In voluntarily applying for reaccreditation, CHN has demonstrated their commitment to the quality of the network offerings that they provide.

 

“We are very excited and proud to receive full URAC Accreditation,” said Michael Morrone, President of CSG. “This demonstrates our continued company-wide commitment to our clients to offer quality products and services.”

 

The acquisition of CHN by CSG in December 2005 has given the company an opportunity to offer customers medical claims solutions that surpass others in the marketplace. CSG has more than 25 years of experience in the property and casualty medical claims management business, specializing in managed care, utilization review and cost containment services to auto liability, general liability and workers’ compensation insurers. CSG services a significant number of the industry’s largest property and casualty carriers, while CHN Solutions represents several major insurers, third-party administrators, and many municipal and school board joint insurance funds in the New Jersey and New England regions.

 

Health Network with Credentialing is a program that accredits a company that meets the key quality standards of network management, provider credentialing, utilization management, quality management and improvement and consumer protection. In addition, the company has to provide a comprehensive assessment of health plan performance, and be able to apply that to health care services. This authorization is the premier accreditation program for PPO’s and similar networks.

 

“By applying for and receiving Health Network with Credentialing, Consumer Health Network Plus, LLC has demonstrated a commitment to quality health care,” said Alan Spielman, 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 set the bar on health and managed care accreditation. The accreditation standards include benchmarks for network management, provider credentialing, utilization management, quality management and improvement and consumer protection. Currently, 34 states and the federal government have designated URAC accreditation as a leading industry standard and in many instances “deem” URAC to meet state regulatory requirements.

 

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 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 www.urac.org

 

For more information contact Missy Pudimott at (800) 225-4246 ext. 6493 or visit www.chn.com