Preferred Care Gold Ranked Number One Medicare Advantage Health Plan Nationally In U.S. News & World Report/NCQA 'America's Best Health Plans 200...( SCHENECTADY N.Y. Nov. 10 /- In a ...),Health

SCHENECTADY, N.Y., Nov. 10 /PRNewswire/ -- In a listing of U.S. News & World Report/NCQA "America's Best Health Plans 2008," announced in the publication's November 17 edition, Preferred Care's Gold Medicare Advantage plan is ranked number one nationally, with an overall quality and customer service score of 88.4. Preferred Care's Commercial health plans rank 22nd nationally and its parent company, MVP Health Care's Commercial plans rank 29th.

"We are exceedingly proud of this achievement," said David W. Oliker, President and CEO of Preferred Care/MVP Health Care. "These top rankings, and the health plans that are included, clearly demonstrate that the people served by them receive exceptional care. Preferred Care and MVP are in very good company."

Preferred Care Gold held the number one ranking nationally among Medicare Advantage plans in 2005 and 2006, and was ranked number four in 2007. The Preferred Care Commercial plans have been top ranked nationally in all four years.

"Preferred Care thanks the physicians and other health care professionals who provide the excellent care to our members that results in our top rankings," said Lisa Brubaker, Executive Vice President of MVP Health Care/Preferred Care, with responsibility for Rochester and Government Programs. "We also applaud the contributions to achieving these rankings made by our more than 1700 employees and their service to our more than 700,000 members."

"It is great to return to the top of the rankings," said Patrick Glavey, Vice President of Medicare for the health plans. "We work very hard to assure that our Gold members have available to them the programs and other opportunities that help them live healthier, more vital lives. Being ranked as the number one Medicare Advantage plan in the nation seems to confirm that we are meeting, even exceeding that goal."

"What we know is that Preferred Care and MVP offer excellent health plans," Oliker said. "Over time, and
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