IPG Device Benefit Management Panel at AHIP’s 2012 Institute Timely as Supreme Court Announces Decision on Healthcare Reform

Business Wire, Inc.

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- IPG, a leading nationwide provider of Implantable Device Benefit Management (DBM) solutions, spoke in conjunction with a distinguished panel of experts at American Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) 2012 Institute on June 20, 2012 in Salt Lake City, UT. The panel reviewed the market opportunity for implant device spend and health plan prioritization and challenges, taking an in-depth look at implementation models and strategies to deliver results that significantly lower health plan spend. The Thought Leadership Recording may be viewed online at http://www.ipg.com/health-plans.

Jay Ethridge, President and Chief Executive Officer at IPG was joined on the panel by Dr. Barry Schwartz, IPG Consultant and former Florida Blue Network Vice President and Stephen Kinsley, Senior Director of Reimbursement with Surgical Care Affiliates (SCA). The discussion around the Device Benefit Management industry needs and IPG model was very timely with the Supreme Court announcing their decision related to the healthcare reform law just one week later. With affordable and quality care as the top priority, and the critical need to reduce healthcare costs, there is an imperative need for greater transparency in the US health system. IPG has continued to build upon its infrastructure to ensure versatility and scalability in preparation for the law, responding to growing pressures in the marketplace to contain costs and improve quality of care, while delivering transparency and predictability to implant device spend.

“IPG is playing a very important role in the changing the healthcare landscape as unprecedented innovation around care coordination models is leading to new partnerships between health plans and providers,” Ethridge said. “As health plans seek initiatives to address high markups, growing utilization and quality programs to deliver measurable cost reductions, it is exciting to share IPG’s Device Benefit Management solutions. Having implemented the largest statewide initiative in the industry, with actuarially validated and proven results, the AHIP Institute was a great opportunity to share our best practices in preparing for the future of Device Benefit Management.”

Mr. Kinsley spoke about the collaborative relationship driven between the facility and health plan through the program, and added that “the IPG model allows us to focus on quality of care for our patients while delivering the ability drive down costs. The ASC market is a very dynamic space with endless opportunity from a volume and case perspective. There is a need to continuously improve, and when we see the opportunity to partner to control and manage costs, everyone benefits,” Kinsley said.

Post the Supreme Court decision, IPG remains committed to delivering solutions that integrate within Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs), bundled payment and varying reimbursement structures. IPG is leading efforts to promote healthcare affordability and cost reduction in a market that requires specialized expertise and proven solutions.

About IPG

<p> IPG works with large health plans to develop market-based solutions that deliver tangible value in the Implantable Device Benefit Management (DBM) space. The IPG model delivers increased transparency and reduced costs through sustainable partnerships with health plans, manufacturers, providers, physicians and patients. We offer solutions that influence quality, utilization, product enhancements and site of care, providing patient access to better, more affordable care and outcomes while effectively driving operational accuracies and efficiencies and lowering implant device spend. For more information about IPG, call us at 1-866-753-0046, or visit us on the web at www.ipg.com.