Press Releases
The Assist Group launches a new high risk maternity management program
Comprehensive Disease Management Program Manages and Coordinates Care for At-Risk Pregnant Women to Improve Birth Outcomes
Lakewood, Colo., June 6, 2007
A new, next generation disease management solution aimed at improving outcomes and reducing the cost of high risk pregnancies was introduced today by The Assist Group. Part of the company's successful CareAssist service, the high risk maternity management program provides payers with both clinical and financial oversight for women with high risk pregnancies, creating a complete outcome-driven care management plan.
"We have developed a program that complements CareAssist's highly effective neonatal care management program in response to a need expressed by our customers," says Beverly White Freedman, President and CEO of The Assist Group. "Clients saw the results that we could provide in the NICU and wanted to know what we could accomplish by starting with mothers who were at high risk for having a NICU baby. We are demonstrating that by providing comprehensive care management during the pregnancy, we can both optimize outcomes for mother and child, and minimize the expense by improving the quality and continuity of care."
The high risk maternity management program targets certain clinical factors that triple the risk for having a baby that needs NICU admission. Payers that identify high risk pregnancies through their own risk identification programs can use the program for the less than five percent of women with extreme issues. Using a team that includes some of the country's leading physicians specializing in Maternal Fetal Medicine (MFM), as well as perinatal nurse case managers and patient educators, a customized care management plan is constructed for each patient.
These specialists work directly with the mother's treating team to optimize care during the pregnancy. An MFM specialist reviews each case, following up with the patient's healthcare provider to resolve key issues, accelerate care, when appropriate, and offer innovative evidence-based solutions. When the patient delivers, an outcome report, including costs, clinical outcomes and any necessary recommendations for NICU care management, is presented to the client.
In addition, nurse care managers can, at the discretion of the payer, work directly with the patient and with families to prepare them for optimal birth outcomes. Families are also provided with the education and resources that they will need to facilitate a safe and timely discharge from the hospital for both mother and child.
More than one-third of all pregnant women develop complications annually, at a total cost of $1 billion. Many of these women have identifiable risk factors, including multiple pregnancy, past history of pre-term delivery, uterine and/or cervical abnormalities, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity or other chronic health problems. Based on current studies, a return on investment of at least three to one can be expected with appropriate intervention. With CareAssist's high risk maternity management program, complications to mother and infant can be reduced, and/or anticipated and treated appropriately. The program can effectively manage conditions identified during pregnancy and provide evidence-based interventions resulting in mitigation, improved outcomes, and reduced pregnancy and NICU costs.
The Assist Group is the industry leader in integrated disease management and claims resolution services, leveraging advanced technology and industry experts to develop the next generation of claims management solutions. The Assist Group's products include CareAssist, offering complete clinical and financial management of complex maternal-newborn conditions, and ClinAssist, providing comprehensive complex claim resolution services, from initial screening through settlement that can significantly reduce costs. Founded in 1999, The Assist Group has offices in Lakewood, Colo. and Irvine, Calif.