Louisville, Ky. (January 5, 2006) SHPS, a leading Integrated Health Management provider, announced today it is the first company to earn full accreditation for the new consumer education and support standards from URAC, a Washington, D.C.-based healthcare accrediting organization that establishes quality criteria for the healthcare industry. URAC developed the consumer education and support standards to address the growing role of consumers in the healthcare decision-making process.

By applying for and receiving URAC accreditation, SHPS has demonstrated a commitment to quality healthcare, said Charles Stellar, URAC board chair. Quality healthcare is crucial to our nations welfare and it is important to have organizations that are willing to measure themselves against national standards.

URACs consumer education and support standards are defined on two levels: giving consumers the information they need to choose a health plan, and once enrolled, giving them information to better manage their own healthcare.

SHPS led the way in earning the new accreditation based on the use of its internal resources and available websites to help healthcare consumers manage their health throughout the healthcare continuum. The specific areas addressed by the accreditation include, but are not limited to, the companys ability to:

• provide consumers decision tools with practice guidelines and cost information;
• offer personal health assessment tools for things such as prevention and wellness;
• present information in different languages and formats; and
• provide information to individuals with cognitive or physical impairments.

Accreditation also requires compliance with URACs core standards for key functions such as organizational structure, staff qualifications, training and management, regulatory compliance, quality management and consumer protection.

Were proud to be the first health management provider to receive the new consumer education and support approval from such a highly respected peer group such as URAC, said Keith Stoneback, SHPS president, healthcare services. Our mission is to empower employees to make wiser decisions about their health, and they can only do that by having the proper tools and information. This accreditation validates SHPS commitment to being a leader in the consumer-driven healthcare market.

SHPS is also accredited by URAC for health utilization management, disease management, workers compensation management, case management, health call center, and is currently in the accreditation process for the HIPAA privacy accreditation.

SHPS consumer education and support standards accreditation is effective through October 2007.

About URAC
URAC, an independent, non-profit organization, is well-known as a leader in promoting healthcare quality through its accreditation and certification programs. URAC offers a wide range of quality benchmarking programs and services that keep pace with the rapid changes in the healthcare system, and provide a symbol of excellence for organizations to validate their commitment to quality and accountability. Through its broad-based governance structure and an inclusive standards development process, URAC ensures that all stakeholders are represented in establishing meaningful quality measures for the entire healthcare industry. For more information, visit www.urac.org.

About SHPS | Carewise Health
SHPS is a leading, independent provider of integrated health solutions that improve personal health and reduce spending. By integrating traditional health management and benefits administration services, SHPS delivers people-centric solutions that empower individuals to make wise healthcare choices. It serves large and mid-sized employers, government agencies, and third-party administrators through the company’s Carewise Health, Landacorp, and SHPS brands. Visit www.carewisehealth.com.

For More Information
LeAnn Ross
Director of Marketing
leann.ross@shps.com

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