Arkansas and Missouri Care Improvement Plus Members Overwhelmingly Pleased with Special ...( - First member satisfaction survey...),Health

- First member satisfaction survey shows health improvements, disease

management support among valued benefits of plan -

ST. LOUIS, Nov. 12 /PRNewswire/ -- One year following the launch of operations in Arkansas and Missouri, 90 percent of members of Care Improvement Plus feel their health has maintained or improved, according to a recent survey examining the satisfaction of the plan's south central regional membership. Of those who feel health has improved, 96 percent cite Care Improvement Plus as contributing to their health improvement.

"This survey clearly demonstrates that members are pleased with Care Improvement Plus and the comprehensive approach to healthcare coverage that it provides," said Lee Spruiell, regional vice president of field operations for Care Improvement Plus. "The fact that 27 percent of members surveyed cite our plan as helping to improve their health after only one year of operations is encouraging and further supports the notion that special needs plans can provide enhanced quality and value to chronically ill Medicare beneficiaries."

The survey is the first to assess Care Improvement Plus plan member satisfaction since the plan underwent a major expansion in 2007, launching services in five additional states, including Arkansas and Missouri. Among the key findings from the survey:

-- Overall satisfaction was high: 93 percent of south central regional members were satisfied with the plan overall

-- Members are highly likely to recommend the plan to others: 89 percent of south central regional members were likely to recommend the plan to other Medicare beneficiaries with chronic illnesses

-- Members value plan benefits and coverage: More than 93 percent of south central regional members were completely or very satisfied with the plan's medical coverage and prescription drug benefits

-- Members are pleased with disease management support the plan provides: 93 percent of s
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