(Chicago) - Rush Health has once again received certification in 2008 for Disease Management Program Design from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA). Rush Health was the first Chicago-area provider organization to receive this designation in 2006 and remains the only Chicago-area provider organization – and one of the few in the country-- that has passed the NCQA’s rigorous review.

Rush Health is a not-for-profit organization whose members include Rush University Medical Center, Rush Oak Park Hospital, and approximately 750 physicians who practice at these hospital locations.

NCQA Disease Management Certification standards are developed with input from researchers in the field, the Disease Management Advisory Council (DMAC) and standing committees, employers, both purchasers and operators of disease management programs, state and federal regulators and other experts. NCQA Disease Management Certification standards are intended to help organizations achieve the highest level of performance possible, reduce patient risk, and create an environment of continuous improvement. Rush Health’s certification applies to its programs in asthma, coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure, diabetes, and hypertension.

“Seeking and obtaining NCQA recognition reflects Rush Health’s commitment to clinical excellence, and demonstrates our ability to integrate treatment guidelines for the care of patients with chronic medical conditions throughout a process that supports clinical performance improvement”, says Dr. Catherine Dimou, Medical Director, Rush Health.

“Disease management offers tremendous promise for improving the care received by the chronically ill. By achieving NCQA DM certification, an organization is showing that it is ready to provide specific services that can help fulfill that promise”, Margaret E. O’Kane, President, NCQA.

“Disease Management certification offers an additional tool for comparing Rush Health physicians to other providers in the Chicago area. This allows employers and individual consumers to make health care purchasing decisions based on a demonstrated commitment to quality”, says Brent J. Estes, President and CEO, Rush Health. “Integrating patient care by working with both physicians and patients is a key component to ensuring clinical excellence”.

Rush Health is also certified by NCQA as a Credentials Verification Organization.

NCQA has reviewed and certified Rush Health’s Program Design capability. NCQA is an independent, not-for-profit organization dedicated to assessing and reporting on the quality of managed care plans, managed behavioral health care organizations, preferred provider organizations, new health plans, physician organizations, credentials verification, disease management and other health related programs. For more information on NCQA, visit www.NCQA.org