BOSTON, Mass. – January 28, 2010 – Health Dialog, the Managed Care Executive Group (MCEG), and HTMS today jointly released a report that examines regional health plan priorities for 2010. The report, entitled “Regional Health Plans & Reform: The 2010 Agenda” is based on information gathered from approximately 50 regional health plans.

Regional health plans continue to face a troubled economy and have endured over a year of heated debates on reform, but still there is no sure direction in sight. This report is intended to serve as a benchmark for regional health plans to understand where their peers are focusing attention so they too can anticipate market changes and adapt in the year ahead. The paper explains that while large health plans have advantages in terms of size and resources, smaller regional health plans have advantages of their own that can enable them to be nimble and prepared in the face of reform.

The report highlights five strategic issues viewed as critical or important to the health plans surveyed, including:

•    Overall cost of care
•    The Government’s role in healthcare
•    Demand for improved data analytics
•    Increased collaboration with providers
•    Increased collaboration between health operations and IT

The report also identifies key operational issues the plans are facing as well as their thoughts on pending reform.

“Small and mid-size regional health plans must use their size to their advantage,” said Elise Burns, Senior Vice President, Government Affairs, Health Dialog. “They need to remain agile and adaptable, and make use of their relative ease in automating operations. Their stronger local presence as compared to large national plans provides an opportunity to leverage close relationships with providers, state officials, and policymakers by collaborating with them to innovate and adapt to market changes.”

To download a copy of “Regional Health Plans & Reform: The 2010 Agenda” please visit http://www.healthdialog.com/go/RegionalHealthPlans.

About Health Dialog:
Health Dialog Services Corporation is a leading provider of healthcare analytics and decision support. The firm is a private, wholly-owned subsidiary of Bupa, a global provider of healthcare services. Health Dialog helps healthcare payors improve healthcare quality while reducing overall costs. Company offerings include Health Coaching for medical decisions, chronic conditions, and wellness; Population analytic solutions; and consulting services. Health Dialog helps individuals participate in their own healthcare decisions, develop more effective relationships with their physicians, and live healthier, happier lives. For more information please visit www.healthdialog.com.

About Managed Care Executive Group
The Managed Care Executive Group (MCEG), formed in 1988, is a national organization that provides a forum for the open exchange of information, innovative ideas, and experience among senior health plan leaders. The organization uniquely serves as a community of executives who act as resources to each other throughout the year in navigating the tactical and strategic issues facing organizations today. The purpose of MCEG is to create a comfortable forum for the exchange of ideas, the development of valuable peer relationships and the opportunity to explore the innovation that will transform organizations and the industry.

About HTMS
HTMS is a management consulting company focused on the healthcare market, particularly payer organizations. HTMS assists its clients to adapt and lead in an ever-changing environment. Founded in 2000, the corporate office is located in Indianapolis, Indiana, with a regional office in Phoenix, Arizona. HTMS’ mission is to help organizations in the health industry to operate with greater efficiency and provide higher quality.

Media Inquiries:
Kiran Ganda
Health Dialog
kganda@healthdialog.com
617.406.5239