It has been a busy and very productive year for Passport Health Plan, as the nonprofit, community-based managed care organization (MCO) has seen extensive growth in membership and continued to help all Kentuckians live healthier lives. Here’s a closer look at some of the more notable events that happened in 2016 for Passport:
- In February, Passport and Evolent Health announced the formation of a strategic alliance that created The Medicaid Center of Excellence (MCOE), which combines Passport’s expertise in Medicaid managed care with Evolent’s industry-leading technology and operations to offer centralized services for provider-led Medicaid health plans nationwide. The strategic alliance between Passport and Evolent will create new jobs, generate additional tax revenue, and further establish Louisville as a center for health care innovation.
- Passport was once again named the top Medicaid plan in Kentucky, rated a 4 out of 5 by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) for the second straight year, according to “NCQA’s Medicaid Health Insurance Plan Ratings 2016-2017.” Each year, NCQA rates health plans across the U.S. to provide consumers with a more accurate picture of how health insurance plans perform in key quality areas. The ratings align with the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Star Ratings of Medicare Advantage plans and give unprecedented importance to health outcomes and consumer satisfaction.
- Passport received the highest number of five-star “excellent” ratings as tallied by the Kentucky Department for Medicaid Services (DMS) in their “2017 Guide to Choosing a Medicaid Health Plan,” which compared the five Managed Care Organizations (MCOs) that serve Kentucky Medicaid members. Passport received three five-star ratings (on preventive care, access to care and getting help when needed) and zero one-star “much below average” ratings in the annual comparison.
- Passport received the 2016 Psychologically Healthy Workplace Award from the American Psychological Association (APA) in recognition of its efforts to create a healthy, high-performing work environment. One of just six U.S. employers to receive the award, Passport won in the medium not-for-profit category, excelling in its efforts to foster employee involvement, health and safety, employee growth and development, work-life balance, and employee recognition, according to the APA.
- Compassion is a key component in healthcare delivery, and eight individuals who embody that value were honored at a luncheon in Louisville called “A Commitment to Compassion,” which was co-sponsored by Passport Health Plan, Compassionate Louisville, and Insider Louisville. Nationally renowned author and motivational speaker Charla Young emceed the event, which recognized and honored eight dedicated healthcare workers who exemplify true compassion in the workplace. These are people who go above and beyond their job duties to extend needed consideration, kindness, and compassion to patients, their colleagues and the broader community.
- Passport became a statewide sponsor of the American Diabetes Association (ADA) to raise awareness about healthy nutrition, exercise and other steps Kentuckians can take to avoid the onset of diabetes, which affects close to 600,000 Kentuckians affected by diabetes and over 1.1 million at risk for diabetes.
- Along with serving as one of the title sponsors for the annual March of Dimes Greater Louisville March for Babies in May, Passport also partnered with March of Dimes to sponsor Prematurity Awareness Month in November, along with a special event that honored families that have had a preterm birth and talked about ways to help more moms have full-term pregnancies and healthy babies.
- Passport continued to work closely with the American Heart Association and sponsored a number of “Have Faith in Heart” events at area churches, where community members could learn about heart disease and ways to lower their risk for stroke and high blood pressure. Passport is also one of the major sponsors of the AHA’s Go Red for Women luncheon and conference in Louisville, which will be held on Friday, May 19, 2017, at Louisville Marriott Downtown.
- For the 9th straight year, Passport was one of the leading sponsors of the annual Healthy Hoops Kentucky event, where asthmatic children and their parents can learn about their breathing condition and at the same time exercise. This year’s Healthy Hoops Kentucky event was held at a new location, Assumption High School on Bardstown Road, and was led once again by basketball legend Darrell Griffith and other celebrity basketball coaches.
- Passport added The Little Clinic inside selected Kroger stores around Kentucky to its growing network of accepted healthcare providers, effective January 1, 2017. The Little Clinic locations are staffed with board-certified nurse practitioners authorized to diagnose, treat, and write prescriptions for many common illnesses such as bronchitis, sinus infections, seasonal allergies and the flu. The clinics also provide a wide selection of additional wellness services such as physicals, health screenings, tobacco cessation, and a number of vaccinations.
