Information system powers innovative research project aimed at managing the care of senior citizens

HealthAmerica Pennsylvania, Inc., in Pittsburgh, is aiming to increase access to health care for senior citizens in its Advantra health plan in Pittsburgh. Under its Senior Life Management program, Coventry Health Care, parent company of HealthAmerica, hired nine personal service representatives (PSRs) and is asking them to provide outreach to 5,000 senior citizens. The PSRs and other staff members will get to know each senior citizen in the program, evaluate and recognize their health needs, and develop methods to ensure that their needs are met before any patient's condition becomes unnecessarily costly. The goal of this innovative program is to improve access to health care for these 5,000 members and thus improve their satisfaction with care and help to reduce health care costs.