SHPS Partnership with The EPOCH Group
<p><strong>Louisville, Ky. — June 12</strong><br />SHPS, a provider of health advocacy and health benefits solutions, has announced an expanded agreement with The EPOCH Group, one of the nation’s largest third-party administrators (TPAs) for self-funded health care plans, to offer SHPS’ entire integrated care management solution to EPOCH clients. </p><p>The solution (which SHPS designed exclusively for TPAs) links utilization management, case management, disease management and wellness programs into a seamless medical management experience.<br /><br />Today, 30 percent of the U.S. population drives 80 percent of all health care costs. </p><p>To address this trend, better health management for the chronic and high-risk — and greater prevention for the well and at-risk — is needed. </p><p>By integrating SHPS’ care management programs under a single umbrella, EPOCH and its clients can now benefit from such a comprehensive approach. </p><p>The result of this integrated approach is improved outcomes, enhanced health care quality and lower costs along the entire care continuum.<br /><br />“EPOCH’s primary goal is superior service to our clients,” said Paul Stucky, EPOCH president and CEO. “By partnering with SHPS, our clients receive superior health care services, exceptional delivery and the personal touch that EPOCH provides each and every day. That’s a win for us, a win for our clients and a win for our members.”<br /><br />SHPS’ integrated care management solution is made up of URAC-accredited services that take a personalized approach to inpatient/outpatient review, care coordination and chronic condition management. </p><p>Since 2004, EPOCH has offered SHPS’ disease management and wellness services through EPOCH Care Management Solutions — a multifaceted approach to managing its clients’ rising health care costs. </p><p>EPOCH expanded its relationship with SHPS in January 2007 by adding utilization management and case management services.<br /><br />“This expanded partnership is indicative of a larger health care trend: collaboration,” said Jeff Rosenblum, SHPS executive vice president of channel solutions. “SHPS’ integrated care management solution marries our quality clinical services with EPOCH’s expertise in plan design and administration. That translates into lower costs and better outcomes for all involved.”</p>
