APS Healthcare Awarded Utilization Review Program for the State of Maryland Developmental Disabilities Administration

Business Wire, Nov 2, 2006

SILVER SPRING, Md. -- APS Healthcare, one of the country's leading specialty healthcare companies, today announced that it has been selected by the state of Maryland's Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, Developmental Disabilities Administration (DDA) to provide utilization review services for the state's Medicaid beneficiaries. This contract represents an expansion of APS' relationship with Maryland, where APS' MAPS-MD program has served since 2004 as the administrative services organization (ASO) for Maryland's Medicaid and uninsured population served in the public mental health system.

"We are excited about our partnership with APS," said Scott M. Uhl, deputy director of the Maryland Developmental Disabilities Administration. "APS has a strong experience in utilization review services for people with disabilities, and we look forward to applying this expertise in Maryland."

"With this new program, we will continue working to ensure Maryland's Medicaid clients receive the quality healthcare they need, as well as expand our partnership with the state," said Steve Thronson, chief operating officer, APS' Public Programs division. "We are excited to strengthen our relationship with the state of Maryland and appreciate the confidence the state has shown through its selection of APS."

The program will include assessing individuals entering the DDA fee payment system for residential, day habilitation or supported employment; auditing healthcare provider records and interviewing consumers about community supported living arrangement services; and surveying consumer satisfaction related to the services APS is providing.

APS is one of the country's leaders in providing services to Medicaid programs and serves clients representing more than 30 percent of the nation's Medicaid population. The utilization review agreement took effect Sept. 1, 2006, and is administered out of APS' Baltimore service center.

About APS

APS Healthcare, headquartered in Silver Spring, Md., is a leading provider of specialty healthcare solutions that cover more than 20 million members in the United States and Puerto Rico. APS offers customized, integrated healthcare solutions across two major healthcare product lines - care management and behavioral health services. APS operates under the belief that managing healthcare for the mind and body improves overall health and reduces total healthcare spending. For more information, visit www.apshealthcare.com.