Living with Illness and Getting Better

Living with Illness and Getting Better 1996—2007
Click a green button to view trend charts showing rates of how well health plans promote the right care at the right time.

HEART HEALTH 2007 printer friendly version

There are over 927,448 deaths each year due to heart disease. Heart disease is the number one killer of men and women in America. Over one million new cases are identified each year. Out of 18.2 million Americans with diabetes, 65% will die from heart disease or stroke.

Advice to stop smoking
Beta blocker treatment after heart attack
Cholesterol screening after heart attack

LIVING WITH DIABETES 2007 printer friendly version

The number of people who have diabetes is rising in this country. Over 18 million Americans have diabetes, and more than 3,500 persons are newly diagnosed each day. This disease causes high levels of sugar in the blood, and this problem causes damage to eyes, kidneys, blood vessels and the heart. On average, diabetics who control their blood sugar will live five years longer.

Blood tests for people with diabetes: cholesterol and other fats (lipids)
Blood tests for people with diabetes: HbA1c (blood sugar control)
Eye exams for people with diabetes
Urine tests for people with diabetes
Lipid screening & control

Staying Healthy
Click a green button to view trend charts showing plans that provide recommended preventive care services.
Plans get better quality marks because they are working to keep members healthy.

WOMEN & CHILDREN'S HEALTH 2007 printer friendly version

Breast cancer screening
Caesarean Section (C-Section) rate
Cervical cancer screening
Infant immunization rate
Timeliness of prenatal care

MENTAL HEALTH 2007 printer friendly version

There are an estimated 57million adults in America with severe mental illness, and over 20 million are hospitalized each year. Four of the 10 leading causes of disability are due to mental health disorders. Major depression affects 19 million Americans each year, although 80% can be treated quickly and effectively with medication and counseling. It is a leading cause of decreased productivity, and lost work days from absenteeism and disability at an annual cost of $44 billion.

Follow-up after hospitalization for mental illness
Managing medication for depression—the first 12 weeks
Managing medication for depression—over 6 months
Patients with depression: seeing health care providers often

Heart Health
Advice to quit smoking

	1997	1998	1999	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007
NCQA benchmark						74%	75%	75%	78%	78%
Aetna-HMO			51%	^†NR	**	†NR	74%	79%	74%	68%
CIGNA-HMO	55%	70%	67%	63%	**	74%	78%	75%	72%	77%
CIGNA-POS		71%	62%	63%	**
Denver Health Medical Plan-HMO				78%	**	79%	75%	^†D	71%
HMO Colo-HMO/POS	63%	60%	69%	66%	**	64%	65%	74%	71%	70%
HMO Colo-POS		66%	53%		**
Kaiser-HMO	66%	71%	77%	78%	**	†na	71%	68%	75%	85%
PacifiCare-HMO	69%	68%	70%	70%	**	75%	71%	75%	75%	79%
PacifiCare-POS		71%	64%	70%	**
Rocky Mntn-HMO		67%	60%	65%	**	72%	67%	70%	75%	78%
United-HMO		74%	61%	63%	**	60%	67%	65%	67%	77%
United-POS		65%	69%	63%	**	**

†Not Reported—sample size too small.
†na—not applicable
^†D—Plan declined to report

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Advice to quit smoking. 2007 printer friendly version
Why is it important to me?
Nearly 48 million Americans smoke. 70% of smokers report that they would like to quit. Smoking is the leading preventable cause of death in the U.S. It causes more than 400,000 deaths each year from heart disease, cancer and lung disease. People who smoke are 30% more likely to quit if their doctor advises it. About 50% of lifelong smokers will die from a smoking related illness and they will die 13.2 years (for men) and 14.5 years (for women) sooner than people who do not smoke.

Trend charts show how we are improving in Colorado and that our efforts are making a difference.
NCQA (National Committee for Quality Assurance) Benchmark plan scores guide our direction. This score defines excellence. It is the 90th percentile score for all health plans in the country that report their information to NCQA as of January.
ALL COLORADO is the average of Colorado health plans that report to the Colorado Business Group on Health.
U.S. AVERAGE is the score from all plans that report.

Heart Health
Beta blocker treatment after heart attack.

	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007
NCQA benchmark						95%	95%	100%	100%	100%	*
Aetna-HMO/POS				87%	97%	97%	97%	†na	†na	na	*
CIGNA-HMO		88%			100%	100%	100%	99%	99%	100%	*
CIGNA-POS		88%									*
CIGNA-HMO/POS			84%	100%							*
Denver Health Medical Plan-HMO					†NR	†NR	†NR	†na	^†D	na	*
HMO Colo-HMO/POS		65%	53%	79%	98%	92%	95%	100%	100%	na	*
HMO Colo-POS		65%									*
Kaiser-HMO		83%	92%	95%	93%	98%	100%	98%	100%	100%	*
PacifiCare-HMO		57%			93%				100%	100%	*
PacifiCare-HMO/POS			73%	93%	93%	94%	96%	100%			*
Rocky Mntn-HMO		*	NR^†	96%	96%	95%	100%	96%	97%	98%	*
United-HMO		*	NR^†	86%	96%	97%	97%	†na	95%	97%	*
United-POS		82%	91%	86%	96%	97%	97%				*

†Not Reported—sample size too small.
†na—not applicable
^†D—Plan declined to report

* This measure is not reported this year

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Beta blocker treament after heart attack.
Why is it important to me?
According to the American Heart Association, heart disease is the number one cause of death in America. Heart disease causes an average of one death every 34 seconds. Beta blockers are drugs that effectively reduce risks of a second heart attack and death. As many as 1,200 lives could be saved every year if patients who are good candidates for beta blockers after a heart attack receive this medication when they leave the hospital.

Heart Health
Cholesterol screening after heart attack.

	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007
NCQA benchmark			83%	83%	86%	86%	88%	92%
Aetna-HMO/POS	NR^†	68%	82%	82%	77%	77%	79%	90%
CIGNA-HMO/.POS	53%	76%	81%	81%	82%	82%	83%	86%
Denver Health Medical Plan-HMO		*	NR^†	†NR	†na	^†D	67%	80%
HMO Colorado-HMO	*				85%	85%	82%	87%
HMO Colorado-HMO/POS	*	46%	76%	76%
Kaiser-HMO	88%	94%	95%	94%	95%	94%	90%	97%
PacifiCare-HMO						85%	76%	88%
PacifiCare-HMO/POS	75%	77%	78%	82%	85%
Rocky Mntn-HMO	86%	77%	84%	84%	84%	84%	75%	85%
United-HMO	73%	74%	84%	84%	82%	88%	79%	89%
United-POS	73%	74%	84%	84%

†Not Reported—sample size too small.
†na—not applicable
^†D—Plan declined to report

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Cholesterol Screening. 2007 printer friendly version
Why is it important to me?
*Elevated cholesterol (the "bad" cholesterol, or LDL) is a major risk factor for heart disease.

*LDL cholesterol deposits block the flow of blood through blood vessels, which causes heart disease and stroke.

*Over 100 million people in this country have high cholesterol levels higher than desireable.

*About 40% of people with high cholesterol will eventually die from heart disease.

*Screening and control of LDL levels can prevent heart attacks, and can help save lives. High cholesterol can be lowered with diet and medication.

Heart Health
Cholesterol control after heart attack.

	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007
NCQA benchmark	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	66%
Aetna-HMO/POS	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	65%
CIGNA-HMO/.POS	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	65%
Denver Health Medical Plan-HMO	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	58%
HMO Colorado-HMO	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	65%
HMO Colorado-HMO/POS	*	*	*	*	*	*	*
Kaiser-HMO	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	69%
PacifiCare-HMO	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	63%
PacifiCare-HMO/POS	*	*	*	*	*	*	*
Rocky Mntn-HMO	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	62%
United-HMO	*	*	*	*	*	*	*	62%
United-POS	*	*	*	*	*	*	*

†Not Reported—sample size too small.
†na—not applicable
^†D—Plan declined to report

* This measure is not reported this year

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Cholesterol Control . 2007 printer friendly version
Why is it important to me?
*Elevated cholesterol (the "bad" cholesterol, or LDL) is a major risk factor for heart disease.

*LDL cholesterol deposits block the flow of blood through blood vessels, which causes heart disease and stroke.

*Over 100 million people in this country have high cholesterol levels higher than desireable.

*About 40% of people with high cholesterol will eventually die from heart disease.

*Screening and control of LDL levels can prevent heart attacks, and can help save lives. High cholesterol can be lowered with diet and medication.

Living with Diabetes
Eye exams for people with diabetes.

	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007
NCQA benchmark							66%	68%	68%	69%	71%
Aetna-HMO/POS				44%	51%	59%	48%	46%	49%	49%	46%
CIGNA-HMO/POS	30%	NR^†	46%	41%	52%	61%	62%	58%	61%	61%	60%
Denver Health Medical Plan-HMO					60%	60%	78%	63%	^†D	52%	39%
HMO Colo-HMO/POS	25%	20%	30%	33%	35%	35%	44%	47%	49%	54%	36%
Kaiser-HMO	65%	55%	67%	73%	63%	89%	82%	78%	91%	64%	62%
PacifiCare-HMO	46%	42%	34%	54%	60%	60%	64%	44%	49%	52%	51%
Rocky Mntn-HMO		52%	52%	59%	58%	64%	65%	59%	58%	61%	63%
United-HMO		41%	45%	44%	50%	55%	45%	38%	46%	52%	47%
United-POS		45%	48%	44%	50%	55%	45%	38%

* The Healthy People 2010 goal is 75% What is Healthy People 2010?

^†D—Plan declined to report

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Eye exams for people with diabetes. 2007 printer friendly version
Why is it important to me?
Diabetes is the leading cause of blindness in people age 20 to 74. 12,000 to 24,000 new cases of blindness occur each year. A dilated retinal examination (not a "vision test") by an eye specialist can detect eye complications related to diabetes. With proper screening and treatment up to 40% of diabetes related blindness could be prevented.

Living with Diabetes
Urine tests for people with diabetes.

	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007
NCQA benchmark							58%	69%	69%	69%	87%
Aetna-HMO/POS							29%	47%	55%	55%	80%
CIGNA-HMO/POS							53%	52%	51%	51%	76%
Denver Health Medical Plan-HMO							52%	48%	^†D	71%	84%
HMO Colo-HMO/POS							35%	37%	48%	48%	74%
Kaiser-HMO							74%	60%	58%	65%	89%
PacifiCare-HMO							49%	42%	48%	55%	83%
Rocky Mntn-HMO							53%	45%	55%	53%	81%
United-HMO							47%	41%	52%	55%	78%
United-POS

^†D—Plan declined to report

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Urine tests for people with diabetes. 2007 printer friendly version
Why is it important to me?
Diabetes is the leading cause of kidney failure. More than 140,000 people currently have kidney failure due to diabetes. A simple urine test detects early damage to the kidneys, and treatment can be started to delay or prevent kidney failure. On average, persons with diabetes gain 6 years free from kidney disease if their blood sugar is controlled.

Living with Diabetes Cholesterol – lipid screening rates for people with diabetes.

	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007
NCQA benchmark							86%	92%	92%	95%	88%
Aetna-HMO/POS							86%	92%	94%	94%	87%
CIGNA-HMO/POS							91%	92%	95%	95%	82%
Denver Health Medical Plan-HMO							92%	91%	^†D	94%	74%
HMO Colo-HMO/POS							75%	87%	90%	91%	84%
Kaiser-HMO							89%	94%	94%	94%	87%
PacifiCare-HMO							91%	91%	91%	92%	83%
Rocky Mntn-HMO							89%	88%	91%	95%	83%
United-HMO							87%	89%	93%	93%	88%
United-POS

^†D—Plan declined to report

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Cholesterol — lipid screening rates for people with diabetes.
2007 printer friendly version
Why is it important to me?
Most people with diabetes also have high levels of LDL cholesterol ("the bad cholesterol"). LDL cholesterol deposits cause blockage inside blood vessel walls, leading to heart disease or stroke. High levels of cholesterol can be lowered with diet and medication.

Living with Diabetes Lipid Control.

	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007
NCQA benchmark							86%	92%	92%	77%	51%
Aetna-HMO/POS							86%	92%	94%	72%	52%
CIGNA-HMO/POS							91%	92%	95%	72%	50%
Denver Health Medical Plan-HMO							92%	91%	^†D	78%	41%
HMO Colo-HMO/POS							75%	87%	90%	56%	43%
Kaiser-HMO							89%	94%	94%	82%	56%
PacifiCare-HMO							91%	91%	91%	72%	46%
Rocky Mntn-HMO							89%	88%	91%	74%	49%
United-HMO							87%	89%	93%	74%	44%
United-POS

Lipid Control. 2007 printer friendly version
Why is it important to me?
Controlling LDL levels in type 2 diabetes patients can reduce diabetes related strokes, small blood vessel damage, and deaths. The old target level, 130mb/dL, is report5ed in this measure. The new target is 100mg/dL. Cholesterol control is reached through diet modifications and medication.

Living with Diabetes Blood sugar screening rates for people with diabetes: HbA1c (blood sugar control).

	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007
NCQA benchmark							89%	91%	91%	93%	93%
Aetna-HMO/POS							78%	88%	91%	91%	87%
CIGNA-HMO/POS							91%	92%	94%	94%	92%
Denver Health Medical Plan-HMO							91%	87%	^†D	87%	80%
HMO Colo-HMO/POS							76%	85%	87%	86%	88%
Kaiser-HMO							88%	87%	84%	87%	90%
PacifiCare-HMO							85%	89%	85%	86%	87%
Rocky Mntn-HMO							86%	86%	88%	89%	92%
United-HMO							87%	86%	87%	87%	89%
United-POS

The Healthy People 2010 goal is 50% What is Healthy People 2010?

^†D—Plan declined to report

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Blood tests screening rates for people with diabetes:HbA1c (blood sugar control). 2007 printer friendly version
Why is it important to me?
Persons with diabetes can monitor how well their blood sugar is being controlled over the past two months with a blood test that measures the Hemoglobin A1c or "HbA1c" value. The target is 7 or less. Dropping the test result from "8" to "7" can reduce your risk of eye and kidney damage 35%. Good eating habits and a healthy diet can help improve blood sugar levels.

Living with Diabetes Blood sugar control rates for people with diabetes: HbA1c (blood sugar control).

	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007
NCQA benchmark							89%	91%	91%	93%	19%
Aetna-HMO/POS							78%	88%	91%	91%	26%
CIGNA-HMO/POS							91%	92%	94%	94%	23%
Denver Health Medical Plan-HMO							91%	87%	^†D	87%	43%
HMO Colo-HMO/POS							76%	85%	87%	86%	31%
Kaiser-HMO							88%	87%	84%	87%	21%
PacifiCare-HMO							85%	89%	85%	86%	27%
Rocky Mntn-HMO							86%	86%	88%	89%	18%
United-HMO							87%	86%	87%	87%	26%
United-POS

Blood sugar control rates for people with diabetes:HbA1c (blood sugar control). 2007 printer friendly version
Now that I know my blood tests results, is blood sugar controlled?
*Low number in this chart is better.

*Every 1 percent reduction in HbA1c levels results in a 40% reduction in risk of developing eye, kidney, and nerve disease.

Mental Health
Follow-up after hospitalization for mental illness.

	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007
NCQA benchmark						87%	87%	84%	84%	86%	88%
Aetna-HMO/POS				80%	63%	71%	70%	69%	84%	78%	71%
CIGNA-HMO	74%	91%							79%	77%	79%
CIGNA-POS		80%
CIGNA-HMO/.POS			60%	68%	81%	81%	80%	78%
Denver Health Medical Plan-HMO					82%	82%	74%	66%	^†D	na	†na
HMO Colorado-HMO	90%	91%							79%	86%	85%
HMO Colorado-HMO/POS			97%	97%	70%	65%	68%	83%
Kaiser-HMO	94%	93%	92%	89%	89%	94%	92%	88%	96%		93%
PacifiCare-HMO	86%	86%							85%	87%	75%
PacifiCare-HMO/POS			63%	80%	85%	85%	77%	81%
Rocky Mntn-HMO		61%	72%	70%	77%	77%	78%	80%	72%	68%	56%
United-HMO		NR^†	NR^†	NR^†	73%	73%	69%	79%	76%	77%	78%
United-POS		NR^†	NR^†	NR^†	73%	73%	69%	79%

†Not Reported—sample size too small.
^†D—Plan declined to report

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Follow-up after hospitalization for mental illness. 2007 printer friendly version
Why is it important to me?
About 1.9 million Americans are hospitalized for mental illness each year. After a person is discharged from the hospital, they should have an outpatient visit with a mental health practitioner within 30 days. This helps the patient’s transition back to a normal home and work environment, and helps prevent further hospitalizations.

Mental Health
Medication for depression—the first 3 months.

	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007
NCQA benchmark							70%	69%	69%	70%	70%
Aetna-HMO/POS							60%	64%	61%	67%	63%
CIGNA-HMO/POS							63%	70%	72%	70%	69%
Denver Health Medical Plan-HMO							57%	†na	^†D	68%	62%
HMO Colo-HMO/POS							21%	70%	68%	70%	†na
Kaiser-HMO							72%	74%	74%	72%	72%
PacifiCare-HMO							64%	64%	64%	63%	64%
Rocky Mntn-HMO							73%	63%	63%	63%	64%
United-HMO							66%	68%	71%	63%	61%
United-POS							66%	68%

†na—not applicable
^†D—Plan declined to report

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Medication for depression—the first 3 months . 2007 printer friendly version

Many patients with depression stop taking their medicines too soon. What percent of patients complete their first 12 weeks of treatment?

Mental Health
Managing medication for depression—over 6 months.

	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007
NCQA benchmark							54%	53%	53%	53%	53%
Aetna-HMO/POS							46%	46%	46%	52%	46%
CIGNA-HMO/POS							43%	56%	53%	51%	54%
Denver Health Medical Plan-HMO							47%	†na	^†D	56%	50%
HMO Colo-HMO/POS							68%	58%	56%	58%	†na
Kaiser-HMO							59%	60%	60%	58%	58%
PacifiCare-HMO							49%	51%	51%	47%	50%
Rocky Mntn-HMO							57%	48%	51%	45%	51%
United-HMO							51%	51%	53%	47%	50%
United-POS							51%	51%

†na—not applicable
^†D—Plan declined to report

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Managing medication for depression—over 6 months. 2007 printer friendly version

Many patients with depression stop taking their medicines too soon. What percent of patients complete a full six months of medication?

Mental Health
Patients with depression: seeing health care providers often.

	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2004	2006	2007
NCQA benchmark							34%	31%	31%	31%	31%
Aetna-HMO/POS							15%	12%	7%	12%	17%
CIGNA-HMO/POS							20%	18%	17%	16%	16%
Denver Health Medical Plan-HMO							0%	†na	^†D	21%	19%
HMO Colo-HMO/POS							56%	13%	12%	13%	†na
Kaiser-HMO							20%	20%	26%	24%	21%
PacifiCare-HMO							28%	25%	21%	16%	15%
Rocky Mntn-HMO							23%	19%	17%	14%	13%
United-HMO							18%	17%	9%	16%	11%
United-POS							18%	17%

†na—not applicable
^†D—Plan declined to report

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Patients with depression: seeing health care providers often.
2007 printer friendly version

What percent of patients have at least three outpatient visits during the first 12 weeks of treatment? These visits are important to make sure the medication is working.

Women's Health Breast cancer screening.

	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007
NCQA benchmark						81%	81%	83%	83%	80%	77%
Aetna-HMO/POS				68%	75%	75%	71%	71%	70%	71%	65%
CIGNA-HMO/POS	72%	61%	73%	79%	80%	80%	83%	83%	76%	77%	71%
Denver Health Medical Plan-HMO					70%	76%	78%	79%	^†D	73%	64%
HMO Colo-HMO/POS	66%	67%	68%	70%	73%	75%	76%	80%	75%	72%	69%
Kaiser-HMO	81%	82%	81%	81%	81%	80%	78%	77%	77%	77%	71%
PacifiCare-HMO	75%	70%			76%				77%	71%	68%
PacifiCare-HMO/POS			71%	74%		77%	74%	79%
Rocky Mntn-HMO		80%	80%	82%	83%	83%	80%	80%	84%	77%	74%
United-HMO		71%	71%	72%	73%	74%	74%	74%	72%	73%	71%
United-POS		70%	72%	72%		74%	74%	74%

The Healthy People 2010 goal is 60% for women ages 42 to 69.
What is Healthy People 2010?

^†D—Plan declined to report

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Breast cancer screening. 2007 printer friendly version
Why is it important to me?
Breast cancer is the second most common type of cancer among American women. Early detection results in more treatment options and much greater chances of survival. Mammography along with clinical breast examinations can reduce death from breast cancer by 25 to 30 percent in women over age 50. If all U.S. women over 40 received mammograms every two years, an additional 10,000 cases of cancer would be found in an earlier, more treatable stage. The American Cancer Society estimates there are 211,240 new cases and 40,410 deaths from breast cancer each year.

Women's Health Cervical cancer screening

	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007
NCQA benchmark						81%	86%	87%	87%	88%	87%
Aetna-HMO/POS		78%		66%	83%	83%	84%	88%	85%	85%	83%
CIGNA-HMO/POS	67%	75%	70%	70%	83%	83%	82%	82%	83%	83%	87%
Denver Health Medical Plan-HMO					72%	77%	80%	78%	^†D	78%	80%
HMO Colo-HMO/POS	65%	57%	57%	64%	83%	83%	87%	87%	87%	87%	82%
Kaiser-HMO	80%	80%	84%	77%	86%	84%	80%	81%	84%	84%	85%
PacifiCare-HMO	71%	73%	72%	72%	83%	83%	84%	84%	84%	84%	77%
Rocky Mntn-HMO		74%	75%	71%	87%	87%	85%	85%	89%	89%	86%
United-HMO		68%	73%	73%	82%	84%	85%	88%	83%	88%	86%
United-POS		75%	73%	73%		84%	85%	88%

The Healthy People 2010 goal is 85% What is Healthy People 2010?

^†D—Plan declined to report

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Cervical cancer screening. 2007 printer friendly version

Why is it important to me?
Cervical cancer can be detected by a simple test called a Pap test. Since doctors started using the Pap test, deaths from cervical cancer have been reduced by more than 70%. About 6,800 cases of cervical cancer could be detected at an earlier stage if all U.S. women received screening. The American Cancer Society estimates there are 10,370 new cases and 3,710 deaths from cervical cancer each year. It is the fifth leading cause of death of women.

Women & Children's Health
Infant immunization rate

	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007
NCQA benchmark				79%	81%	79%	NR	82%	82%	87%	88%
Aetna-HMO				59%	68%	70%	NR	70%	72%	76%	80%
CIGNA-HMO/POS			69%	74%	74%	77%	NR	78%	82%	85%	85%
Denver Health Medical Plan-HMO					61%	61%	NR	80%	^†D	86%	88%
HMO Colo-HMO/POS			42%	46%	50%	66%	NR	72%	76%	82%	83%
Kaiser-HMO			87%	76%	76%	77%	NR	85%	86%	86%	87%
PacifiCare-HMO							NR		72%	69%	80%
PacifiCare-HMO/POS			NR	68%	68%	68%	NR	72%
Rocky Mntn-HMO			63%	65%	61%	61%	NR	72%	70%	77%	79%
United-HMO			53%	55%	61%	66%	NR	72%	77%	79%	83%
United-POS			60%	55%	61%	66%	NR	72%

The Healthy People 2010 goal is 90% What is Healthy People 2010?

NR Not Reported
^†D—Plan declined to report

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Infant immunization rate. 2007 printer friendly version
Why is it important to me?
Immunizations are one of the most important ways parents can protect their children against serious diseases. These diseases may be life threatening or cause permanent disability. Immunizations are extremely safe thanks to advancements in medical research and ongoing review by doctors, researchers, and public health officials. Children are far more likely to be harmed by serious infectious diseases than by immunizations. Although Colorado has only 1.6% of the US population, we had 4% of the hospitalizations from pertussis (whooping cough) in 2003, and 2 children died. According to a national survey by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Colorado ranked last among all 50 states in immunization rates.

Women & Children's Health
Timeliness of prenatal care

	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006	2007
NCQA benchmark						95%	95%	95%	95%	97%	98%
Aetna-HMO				87%	93%	93%	84%	95%	96%	96%	96%
CIGNA-HMO/POS	96%	76%	85%	85%	93%	93%	93%	93%	96%	96%	99%
Denver Health Medical Plan-HMO					74%	76%	86%	86%	^†D	89%	80%
HMO Colo-HMO/POS	67%	57%	70%	70%	91%	91%	92%	92%	96%	96%	95%
Kaiser-HMO	92%	92%	96%	91%	91%	94%	93%	94%	94%	91%	96%
PacifiCare-HMO	81%	92%							93%	94%	92%
PacifiCare-HMO/POS			77%	91%	82%	88%	90%	96%
Rocky Mntn-HMO	86%	94%	94%	95%	83%	92%	95%	96%	95%	95%	94%
United-HMO		73%	84%	84%	86%	93%	87%	94%	94%	96%	95%
United-POS		76%	85%	85%	86%	93%	87%	94%

* The Healthy People 2010 goal is 90% What is Healthy People 2010?

^†D—Plan declined to report

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Timeliness of prenatal care. 2007 printer friendly version
Why is it important to me?
Proper care provided by your doctor, beginning in early pregnancy, is the best preventive medicine for a healthy baby. It is important that the mother is living a healthy lifestyle, has a proper diet and is taking vitamins for best outcomes in birth weight and overall health of the baby. Colorado ranks higher than the national average for low birthweight babies. The chance of death for a low birthweight baby is 40 times higher in the first four months of life than for an average weight baby.

Women & Children's Health
Caesarean-section (C-section) rate

	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002	2003	2004	2005	2006
No NCQA benchmark established
Aetna-HMO/POS				18%	**	20%	26%	†	†	†
CIGNA-HMO	17%	14%			**			†	†	†
CIGNA-POS		17%			**			†	†	†
CIGNA-HMO/POS			17%	18%	**	18%	22%	†	†	†
Denver Health Medical Plan-HMO						22%	20%	†	†	†
HMO Colorado-HMO	15%	15%			**			†	†	†
HMO Colorado-HMO/POS			16%	14%	**	20%	22%	†	†	†
Kaiser-HMO	13%	14%	16%	9%	**	18%	20%	†	†	†
PacifiCare-HMO/POS			16%	21%	**	23%	23%	†	†	†
Rocky Mntn-HMO		17%	23%	17%	**	21%	24%	†	†	†
United-HMO		18%	14%	21%	**	20%	22%	†	†	†
United-POS		17%	18%	21%	**	20%	22%	†	†	†

†na—Data not collected for 2004 and 2005
^†D—Plan declined to report

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Caesarean-section (C-section) rate.

Why is it important to me?
A Caesarean Section (or C-Section) is a surgery to deliver a baby. A C-Section is necessary when a vaginal delivery presents a danger to the mother or child. However, C-Section also increases the risk of complications to both. The goal should be to have neither too few nor too many Caesarean Section surgeries.

* The Healthy People 2010 goal is 15%

* What is Healthy People 2010?

Cardiac catherterization.

Cardiac catheterization
This non-surgical procedure looks for blockages of the coronary artery as well as other problems, such as poorly functioning heart muscles, diseased or damaged heart values or congenital birth defects. A thin tube (catheter) is inserted into an artery and x-ray sensitive dye is injected to get an image of the heart and blood vessels.This chart shows the number per thousand men age 45 to 64 and per thousand women age 45 to 64 who have had a cardiac catheterization procedure in the last year.

Women 45 to 64	1997
CIGNA	3.4%
HMO Colorado	6.9%
Kaiser	3.5%
PacifiCare	3.7%
Prudential-HMO	6.2%
Prudential-POS	5.3%
QualMed	4.2%

Men 45 to 64	1997
CIGNA	9.8%
HMO Colorado	11.9%
Kaiser	7.9%
PacifiCare	9.4%
Prudential-HMO	14.0%
Prudential-POS	14.1%
QualMed	10.2%

Angioplasty.

Angioplasty.
The pain known as angina results from a lack of blood flow to the walls of the heart. This occurs when the coronary arteries are blocked. Angioplasty uses balloon inflation to reshape blocked coronary arteries and improve blood flow.

This chart shows the number per thousand men age 45 to 64 and per thousand women age 45 to 64 who have had angioplasty in the last year.

Women 45 to 64	1997
CIGNA	1.5%
HMO Colorado	2.3%
Kaiser	1.4%
PacifiCare	1.0%
Prudential-HMO	2.1%
Prudential-POS	2.1%
QualMed	0.8%

Men 45 to 64	1997
CIGNA	6.6%
HMO Colorado	6.8%
Kaiser	4.9%
PacifiCare	5.6%
Prudential-HMO	9.9%
Prudential-POS	107%
QualMed	6.8%

Coronary artery bypass graft.

Coronary artery bypass graft.
This type of open heart surgery uses a blood vessel from another part of the body (usually the leg or inside the chest wall) to bypass blocked blood vessels. This chart shows the number of these surgeries performed per thousand men age 45 to 64 and per thousand women age 45 to 64 in the last year.

Women 45 to 64	1997
CIGNA	.2%
HMO Colorado	.7%
Kaiser	.7%
PacifiCare	.5%
Prudential-HMO	.3%
Prudential-POS	.9%
QualMed	1.1%

Men 45 to 64	1997
CIGNA	1.4%
HMO Colorado	2.9%
Kaiser	3.7%
PacifiCare	3.6%
Prudential-HMO	3.4%
Prudential-POS	1.1%
QualMed	3.4%