For Immediate Release
Cheyenne, Wyoming
May 7, 2008

Six Wyoming Healthcare Clinics Recognized by Department of Health for Support of Medicaid Health Management Program

The Wyoming Department of Health (WDH) EqualityCare Program and APS HealthCare have named six state healthcare provider clinics as “Champions” of the Healthy Together! program in 2007.

The providers were honored for their support of the WDH health management program which offers services to Wyoming EqualityCare (Medicaid) clients. To earn this recognition, the providers referred numerous clients into the program and worked closely with Healthy Together! Nurse Health Coaches to coordinate care and educate their chronically ill and pregnant patients about their conditions.

“Because of the support from these clinics,” explains Marion Smith, M.D. family practitioner and medical director of APS Healthcare, “clients received important information on managing their health conditions at home, reminders to keep their medical appointments, toll-free access to they could call 24 hours a day to discuss health questions with a nurse, and links to resources in their community like public health nurses.”

The healthcare clinics honored include:

• Cheyenne Obstetrics & Gynecology
• Wind River Obstetrics & Gynecology in Riverton
• Popo Agie Women’s Clinic in Lander
• Cheyenne Children’s Clinic
• Women’s Primary Health in Casper
• Dr. Harlen Myers in Casper

“Partnering with physicians and their staff is paramount to the success of Healthy Together!” explains Brent Sherard, M.D., WDH director and State Health Officer. “Providers recognize, at the point of care, those patients who can benefit from a team of healthcare providers and social workers who are available around the clock. We have had much positive feedback from those clients who were able to take advantage of this expanded team of care givers. I applaud my colleagues for their support of this program.”

About Healthy Together!
Healthy Together! is offered by the Wyoming Department of Health to all Wyoming EqualityCare clients. The program provides clients with one-on-one support from a Nurse Health Coach, educational materials to encourage the self-management of their health, and assistance in coordinating their care among multiple providers at no cost. Healthy Together! also provides EqualityCare clients with information on weight loss, smoking cessation and how to adopt healthy lifestyles. Healthy Together! was named the Best Government Disease Management Program by the Disease Management Association of America in 2005.

Michelle Crist

APS Healthcare Public Programs

Office: 307-433-0970