KEYWORDS:
Managed Care, HEDIS®, Varicella, Education, Missed Opportunities, Partnering

BACKGROUND:
Geisinger Health Plan is a not-for-profit, group model health maintenance organization with 295,000 members in 41 counties of northeastern and central Pennsylvania. GHP's commercial product line has attained an Excellent accreditation rating by the National Committee for Quality Assurance. This Plan has been reporting Adolescent and Childhood Immunization rates to NCQA's Health Plan Employer Data and Information Set, HEDIS®, since 1997. Although each of the immunization rates are above the National and PA averages, varicella remains our lowest rate.

OBJECTIVE(S):
To share barriers associated with and methods used to improve Varicella immunization rates.

METHOD(S):
Increasing provider and office staff awareness of the importance of adequate documentation. Educating members that Varicella is a vaccine preventable disease.

RESULT(S):
Childhood Varicella rates for this Health Plan have increased from 58.4% in 1997 to 82.6% in 2000. Adolescent Varicella rates have increased from 50.6% in 1997 to 55.2% in 2000.

CONCLUSIONS(S):
Varicella vaccine is highly effective protecting against severe chickenpox disease. Despite recommendations, many eligible children and adolescents remain un-immunized. Geisinger Health Plan promotes quality healthcare through provider and member education.

LEARNING OBJECTIVES:
To share methods used in educating providers and members.