<0> AmeriHealth New JerseyJill Roman, Manager, Public Relations609‐662‐2454 </0>
No matter what you are paying for, we all want the same thing ─ a quality product at an affordable cost.
AmeriHealth NJ today announced the launch of an innovative outreach program that enables members to play an active role in selecting where they can receive high-quality and cost-effective advanced diagnostic imaging services when they are needed. This voluntary program is being offered through a strategic partnership with AIM Specialty Health, a leading specialty benefit management company.
According to the National Healthcare Group, prices can vary by as much 683% more for the same medical procedures, such as MRIs or CT scans, in the same town, depending on the site the medical procedure is performed.
The goal of the outreach program is to bridge that price gap by providing members with information that will help them make informed decisions about the health care they receive. Once a physician orders an approved MRI and/or CT scan for the member, the member may receive a call from a specialist who will provide information on in-network facilities that offer the same imaging services, and how those facilities rank in terms of cost and capabilities, including the distance from the member’s home.
“Today, there is a lack of transparency around health care pricing. For example, when you go to buy a car, you could be looking at the same exact make and model at two different dealers right down the street from one another and they could be totally different prices,” said Paul Portsmore, vice president of health services for AmeriHealth New Jersey. “The same could be said for certain advanced diagnostic imaging services such as an MRI. This program provides the consumer with key information to help them make the decision that is best for their individual needs.”
For AmeriHealth NJ members who have coinsurance plans and pay a percentage of costs out of pocket for services such as an MRI, the program could mean significant savings.
“It’s a priority for us to provide our members with high-quality services at an affordable price and this new program with AIM Specialty Healthis helping us do that,” said Portsmore.
AmeriHealth HMO, Inc. and AmeriHealth Insurance Company of New Jersey (collectively, AmeriHealth New Jersey) provide health insurance coverage to employers and individuals throughout New Jersey. The company has the largest provider network in New Jersey*, and that network includes access to hospitals and doctors across the nation. The company is also committed to offering value-added insurance solutions for customers through its innovative wellness and incentive programs and benefits designs.
The company's managed care plan, AmeriHealth HMO, Inc. is accredited by National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA).
AmeriHealth New Jersey and its affiliates are a growing group of insurance and health companies whose product portfolios include health insurance, workers' compensation, property and casualty insurance, and management services. AmeriHealth New Jersey headquarters are located in Cranbury, NJ. For more information on AmeriHealth, visit .
* Based on analysis done through an independent source.