Achievements

 2008

• HCE was awarded a contract from MDwise, a managed care organization, to complete medical reviews.
   
• Diane Atkins wins two Leading Light Awards from Women in Hi Tech: Distinguished Use of Technology in a Non-Profit or Government Organization; Distinguished Use of Technology in Healthcare Life Science. (January)
   
•  HCE QualityQuest is awarded a Medicaid contract for external quality review from the State of Utah, Department of Administrative Services.
   
• The Indiana Medicaid contract modification for the Surveillance and Utilization and Review Pharmacy Audits took effect January 1, 2008. Internal reference is IMSA (Indiana Medicaid Surveillance and Utilization Review and Pharmacy Audits).
   

2007

• HCE receives MarCom Awards: Gold Award for Quarterly Connection newsletter and an Honorable Mention for a Health House advertisement.
   
• HCEI CEO, Sharon Smith, appointed to American Health Quality Association (AHQA) Legislative Affairs and By-Laws Committees. May 2007.
   
• HCE receives high honors at Hermes Awards: three gold, one platinum, and one honorable mention at the Association of Marketing and Communications Professionals Hermes Creative Awards. HCE’s submissions ranked in the top 10% to 18% of the 3,500 entries.
   
• The editors of Graphic Design USA selected HCE as a winner of a 2007 American Inhouse Design Award for our Quarterly Connection newsletter from over 4,000 entries. March 30, 2007.
   
• The Health House, an HCE sponsored exhibit at The Children’s Museum in Indianapolis, opens to the public on March 3, 2007.
   
• John Nelson Lewis, MD, MPH, Medical Director for the Kentucky Medicare Quality Improvement Organization, is elected as the AHQA Health Care Quality Improvement Program (HCQIP) Network Chair. February 2007
   
• Mehrdad Shafa, MD, MMM, HCE QualityQuest Medical Director, is elected as a member of the Board of Trustees and Secretary of the American Board of Medical Quality.
   
• HCE launches a new product line—customer satisfaction surveys under certification received from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA).
   
• Communicare (Kentucky), Indiana Health Network, and Kentucky Behavioral Telehealth Network have been chosen to be part of a Federal Communications Commission Initiative (CCI) increasing access to Health care in rural America through broadband and telehealth services. The pilot program helps support Health and Human Services (HHS) initiative to support the creation of a nationwide interoperable health information technology infrastructure to improve the quality of health care.
   
• Health Care Excel Incorporated is certified community as a leader in the Value-Driven Health Care Initiative. As part of the Value-Drive Health Care Initiative, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has recognized Health Care Excel Incorporated for their commitment to support the Four Cornerstones of Value-Driven Health Care.
   
• HCE is approved as a sponsor of continuing education for Indiana Health Facility Administrators.
   
• HCE receives recertification from STR-R for meeting ISO standards.
   
• Q Mark receives certification from the National Committee on Quality Assurance (NCQA) for Limited Certification for Pay for Performance (P4P).
   
• HCE QualityQuest contracted with US Healthcare Holdings (USHH), based in Indiana, to conduct independent reviews for its Kentucky-based Welborn health plan.
   
• HCE awarded Pandemic Influenza Educational and Outreach (PIEOS) contract by CMS.
   
• HCE and Missouri’s University Hospital began work on a pilot program that allows HCE, under the MMUR contract to access and review 100 medical records electronically versus hard copies.
   
• HCE was awarded the 2007 QualityNet Conference through CMS. The conference will be held in Baltimore, Maryland at the Baltimore Convention Center. The dates are October 22-24, 2007.
   
• HCE is working with the Ohio Department of Mental Health to develop a PASRR needs assessment tool to manage the increasing demands for the next 5-10 years. The HCE IT department is working to create the software for the ODMH contract.
   
• HCE awarded ISDH Mass Fatalities Planning Services contract by Indiana State Department of Health.
   
• Health Care Excel is awarded the Indiana State Department of Health Mass Fatalities Planning Services (MFPS) contract April 11, 2007.
   
• HCE awarded Ohio Department of Mental Health contract for Preadmission Screening and Resident Review (PASRR) July 31, 2007.
   
• HCE, in partnership with the Indiana Rural Health Association and the American Heart Association, is selected to present at the 2007 National Rural Health Association Conference.

2006

• HCE QualityQuest becomes a designated Independent Review Organization for the Arizona Department of Insurance to conduct case reviews of member insurance appeals of managed care plans.
   
• HCE QualityQuest contracts with the Arizona Strategic Contracting Centers to serve as an approved Medical Management Consultant for state agencies.
   
• HCE QualityQuest becomes a designated Independent Review Organization for the Oregon Insurance Division to conduct case reviews of member insurance appeals of managed care plans.
   
• Mitzi Daffron, R.N., M.S., C.P.H.Q., Product Development and Specialized Contracts, is selected as a finalist in the CareerBuilder.com and The Indianapolis Star “Salute to Nurses” program which recognizes and honors extraordinary nurses throughout Indiana.
   
• HCE is selected as a winner in The Communicator Awards 2006 Print Competition. The organization received two Awards of Distinction for the following projects: 2005 Annual Health Forum Campaign and the 2005 Media Kit. The competition is an international awards competition that recognizes outstanding work in the communications field.
   
• HCE receives 2006 American Inhouse Design Awards by the editors of Graphic Design USA for the following three projects: 2005 Annual Forum invitation, “Patient Safety: Every Patient, Every Time,” 2005 Media Kit, and an invitation to a Nursing Home Quality Initiative provider meeting with a theme of, “Season of Change.”
   
• John Nelson Lewis, M.D., M.P.H., Medical Director for the Kentucky Medicare Quality Improvement Organization (QIO), is chosen as one of the “most influential health care business leaders in Greater Louisville” by Business First, the business journal for Louisville business owners, managers, and executives.

• HCE receives two 2005 MarCom Creative Awards for its marketing and public relations efforts—a Gold Award for its 2005 Media Kit in the Writing/Media Kit category, and an Honorable Mention Award for its brochure, Innovative Solutions, Proven Results, in the Brochure/Capabilities category. The MarCom Creative Awards is an international competition that recognizes the achievements of marketing and communications professionals. Awards acknowledge creative excellence in the concept, writing, and design of marketing and communication programs, and print, visual, and audio materials.
   
• HCE acquires ownership of the Dallas-based Q Mark, Inc. Founded in 1996 by four nationally recognized Quality Improvement Organizations, Q Mark provides a suite of business process outsourcing and consulting services.
   
• HCE receives 2005 Outstanding Service in the Public Interest Award from the Indiana Optometric Association for their work in the development of the Diabetes Eye Examination Report. The award recognizes organizations or individuals who demonstrate a strong interest in, and actively support, projects that benefit the visual welfare and health of Indiana citizens.
   
• HCE wins three awards in The Communicator Awards 2005 Print Media competition, including three Awards of Distinction for the Kentucky Mammography Collaborative Campaign, Partners Promoting Quality, and the Quarterly Connection employee newsletter, and an Honorable Mention for the Nursing Home Providing Meeting Invitation.
   
• HCE is asked to participate in the Indiana State Diabetes Health System Advisory Group. The advisory group, made up of more than 50 people from professional organizations throughout the state, is dedicated to reducing the burden of diabetes in Indiana.
   
• HCE is selected as a winner in the 2005 American In-House Design Awards by the editors of Graphic Design USA for the Quarterly Connection employee newsletter.

• HCE is featured on the Learning Channel program, "Health Matters," hosted by Peggy Fleming.
   
• HCE offers a new Internet-based educational program for health care professionals, Quality Health Care in the 21st Century.
   
• HCE becomes a member of the Indiana Health Industry Forum.
   
• HCE opens two new offices in Des Moines, Iowa, and Phoenix, Arizona. In Phoenix, a new subsidiary is established - HCE QualityQuest, Incorporated.
   
• HCE of Kentucky (HCEK) partners with the Kentucky First Lady Glenna Fletcher, to promote mammograms in the Commonwealth.
   
• The Indiana Medicare QIO wins a Certificate of Merit from the Twelfth Annual Monroe E. Trout Premier Case Award for the initiative covering Diabetes in a Disadvantaged Population.
   
• HCE wins three awards in The Communicator Awards 2004 Print Media competition. Two Awards of Distinction for ISO Awareness Education and the Quarterly Connection employee newsletter, and an Honorable Mention for the 2003 Annual Forum publicity campaign.
   
• HCE wins a Printing Industry Association of the South (PIAS) Award of Excellence for the Physician Practice Quality Initiative tri-fold pocket folder.
   
• HCE receives a BKD Indiana Excellence Award which recognizes business excellence through the improvement of a product, service, or business practice that not only betters the business itself, but the surrounding community as well. BKD, one of the largest CPA firms in the country, awarded HCE the Silver Award for its participation in the Nursing Home Quality Initiative.

• HCE receives International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 9001:2000 certification by the STR-Registrar, LLC. 
   
• HCE partners with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Office on Women's Health for Moving Research into Practice: Chronic Disease and Missouri Women conference.
   
• Through participation on the Indiana Minority Health Advisory Committee, HCE is instrumental in development of the "Healthy Indiana Minority Health Plan" submitted to the Indiana State Health Commissioner.
   
• The new HCE Web site is launched and receives a Golden Web Award from The International Association of Webmasters & Designers and an Award of Distinction from The Communicator Awards competition.

• HCE's Terre Haute office earns accreditation for its medical utilization case review through the American Accreditation Health Care Commission/URAC.
   
• HCE is invited to participate on the Indiana State Department of Health Bioterrorism Advisory Committee.
   
• HCE receives an Award of Distinction from The Communicator Awards competition for a print media category submission for its "universal folder" concept.
   
• HCE is a Silver Award winner in the 7th Annual Mature Media Awards Program for, "An Important Message from Medicare."
   
• HCE establishes Health Care Excel of Kentucky, Incorporated (HCEKI), a new subsidiary.
   

• The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) awards HCE the National Beneficiary Services Certificate of Merit for outstanding work on behalf of beneficiaries.
   
• HCE opens an office in Jefferson City, Missouri.

• HCE is a finalist for the Telly Award for the video Reversing Trends: Smoking Cessation Techniques for the Health Care Professional. The Telly Awards give recognition to outstanding non-network and cable TV commercials, film, and video production.
   
• HCE launches its first Internet Web site.

• HCE receives an Award of Distinction from The Communicator Awards competition for outstanding work in the communications field (in collaboration with Indiana University School of Medicine and Nursing) for the Smoking Cessation Toolkit video, "Reversing Trends: Smoking Cessation Techniques for the Health Care Professional."

• HCE participates in special small area analysis of cooperative cardiovascular project.
   
• HCE receives Advocate of the Year Award from Senior Advantage and Consolidated Health Systems.
   
• Indiana State University awards HCE a Heartbeat Health Festival Award.
   
• HCE receives a Minority Awareness and Education Award from the National Cancer Institute.
   
• HCE receives a National Mature Media Award for educational materials.

• Partners Promoting Quality (PPQ) meetings are established to create statewide coalitions that assist in assuring high-quality health care for consumers in Indiana and Kentucky.
   
• HCE receives a National Mature Media Award for an outreach publication.
   

• HCE is the first Peer Review Organization (PRO) in the country to receive funding for the development of evidence-based guidelines from the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA).
   
• HCE develops methodology for making use of multiple data sources for quality improvement.
   
• HCE receives a National Health Information Award for educational information.
   
• HCE opens an office in Columbus, Ohio.

• HCE receives a National Medicare Beneficiary Services Certificate of Merit Award in recognition of outstanding service and as an advocate for beneficiaries.
   
• HCE receives a National Health Information Award and a Mature Media Award for outreach publications.
   
• HCE hosts its first annual health forum.
   
• HCE opens office in Indianapolis.

• HCE develops two-stage multivariate hospital peer group methodology.
   
• HCE receives a National Mature Media Award for outreach publications.
   

• In collaboration with American Association of Retired Persons (AARP), HCE develops an informational directory selected as a model program.

• HCE performs pioneering work in the development of algorithms for small area analysis.

• HCE receives an American Association of Retired Persons (AARP) Area 5 Partnership Award in recognition of outstanding support of AARP programs.

• HCE develops invasive procedure criteria, deemed by the Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) to be used as a model for other Medicare Peer Review Organizations.

• HCE opens an office in Louisville, Kentucky.

• HCE implements an innovative caseflow system.

• HCE co-sponsors Indiana's first Peer Review Organization (PRO) and is one of three external quality review organizations remaining in Indiana.

• HCE hosts Indiana's first program to introduce Diagnosis Related Groups (DRGs) and the Prospective Payment System (PPS).

• Health Care Excel, Incorporated opens its first office in Terre Haute, Indiana.

• The corporation is formed by a group of physicians from nine counties in west-central and south-western Indiana.

• Federal legislation establishes Professional Standards Review Organizations (PSROs), forming a unique partnership between the Federal Government and the medical profession. The PSRO program represents an unprecedented nationwide effort to control the medical necessity, appropriateness, and quality of health care services.