February 7, 2001 – The following press release was issued Feb. 7 by The Coalition for Affordable Quality Healthcare, a coalition of 24 of America's largest health plans and insurers. Aetna is a member of CAQH.

Improved access to obstetricians/gynecologists and pediatric care for consumers, progress toward reduced paperwork hassles for doctors, and a national effort to protect the potency of lifesaving antibiotics are all part of a major announcement by a coalition of 24 of America's largest national health plans that provide health care coverage for more than 100 million Americans. The announcement was made Feb. 7 by chief executive officers of companies in the Coalition for Affordable Quality Healthcare, and is part of a six-month report on progress the coalition is making on pledges announced last July to help improve health care coverage, service and quality. More information about the group's efforts can be found at http://www.caqh.org/.

The long-term goal of the coalition is to focus on improving systems for consumers and also work more collaboratively with the nation's doctors because, the coalition said, "actions speak louder than words."

"Each participating company has been working individually -- and now collectively -- to continually improve how we provide care and services for consumers nationwide," said Leonard D. Schaeffer, chairman and chief executive officer of California-based WellPoint Health Networks, Inc. and chairman of CAQH. "We're also taking steps to work more collaboratively with doctors to realize our shared goal of improving the American health care experience."

The announcement highlighted progress that CAQH is making on its national efforts, which focus on three key categories:

• Improving access to a range of care and services: all managed health insurance products offered by CAQH companies now provide direct access to OB/GYNs and pediatricians, independent external review, coverage for emergency care and more.
• Reducing paperwork and improving access to information: the coalition is targeting a streamlining of a paperwork intensive process called "credentialing" (how doctors and health plans confirm physician education and qualifications) to help physicians to do what they want to do -- focus on patients, not paperwork.
• Helping doctors improve the quality of care by launching a coordinated national partnership with one of the nation's leading heath organizations: CAQH will be working with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the nation's doctors to educate consumers on how to reduce the risk of a growing national health threat -- antibiotic resistance -- that reduces the effectiveness of many drugs in the nation's medical arsenal.

CAQH member companies nationwide are reaching out to work with local physician groups and hospitals, as well as local business groups, to explore ways to make this effort work for health care consumers across America. "We are pleased by the progress we have made to improve access to health care coverage for consumers, and we are encouraged by the early feedback from physicians and other health care professionals," said H. Edward Hanway, chairman and chief executive officer of Cigna Corporation and vice chairman of CAQH.

"We've made real progress and yet we know we have more to do," said Michael A. Stocker, M.D., president and chief executive officer of Empire Blue Cross/Blue Shield. "We look forward to partnering with other health care leaders around the nation as we move forward."

As part of its long-term effort, CAQH members said they would continue to identify and work on new areas of activity and would continue to report to the public about its activities and progress.

Health plans and insurers participating in CAQH are: Aetna; American Association of Health Plans; Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield; AultCare; Beech Street Corporation; CareFirst, Inc.; Cigna Corporation; Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield; FirstHealth; Great-West Life & Annuity Insurance Company; Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound; Health Insurance Association of America; Health Net, Inc.; HealthPartners; Highmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield; Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey; Humana Inc.; MultiPlan, Inc.; Mutual of Omaha; Oxford Health Plans; PacifiCare Health Systems Inc.; Private Healthcare Systems, Inc.; RightCHOICE Managed Care, Inc.; The Regence Group; Trigon Healthcare, Inc.; and WellPoint Health Networks Inc.