<< BACK TO NEWS SECTION

AirLogix Becomes First Disease Management Company to Earn PCBA Certification from JCAHO/NCQA

New privacy certification demonstrates compliance with standards to safeguard personal health-related information

(Dallas, TX - June 9, 2004) The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) and the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) today awarded disease management company AirLogix with certification from the new Privacy Certification Program for Business Associates (PCBA).

The PCBA certification was awarded after a thorough on-site review found that AirLogix had demonstrated compliance with national standards to safeguard personal health-related information.

"AirLogix was an early adopter of the NCQA accreditation process for disease management programs several years ago and is proud to be the first company to receive this important certification," said Susan B. Riley, CEO of AirLogix. "Our patients' well-being has always been the primary focus of our efforts; securing the privacy of their healthcare information is the critical first step in establishing trust and ensuring an open line of communication."

AirLogix was required to meet rigorous standards addressing privacy protections for oral, written and electronic health information, and processes and practices respecting the use, disclosure, and secure storage of personal health information. PCBA standards also require employee training in protecting personal health information, consumer access to their own health information, and contracting between covered entities and their business associates.

PCBA was established in 2003 by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) and the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA), the nation's leading advocates for quality in health care. The certification program is designed to assess whether organizations referred to as business associates under the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996 are meeting essential requirements for safeguarding identifiable health information.

Certain protections for such information are required by sections of the HIPAA privacy and security regulations. These regulations establish specific expectations for "covered entities," such as health plans and hospitals, which in turn are required to obtain satisfactory assurances that their business associates are appropriately protecting private health care information.

"PCBA standards are designed to stimulate continuous, systematic and organization-wide efforts to carefully and effectively protect personal health information," says William Tulloch, Director, PCBA. "Certification demonstrates the AirLogix commitment to this fundamental responsibility."

"The team of individuals from JCAHO/NCQA that conducted both the reviews was very professional and thorough. Their knowledge and expertise have provided us with some in-sights to enhance our already outstanding commitment of quality care and service to our customers." said Riley.

About AirLogix Inc. As the pioneer in respiratory disease management, AirLogix is the industry's leading expert and resource for comprehensive respiratory disease management. Since 1994 the company has managed more than 400,000 patient lives, specializing in respiratory ailments including Asthma and COPD. With a focus on high-touch care and high-tech systems, the company provides innovative programs that are flexible to meet the diverse needs of managed care organizations providing assistance in managing chronic respiratory diseases and reducing medical costs. The programs include a combination of inbound/outbound telephonic care, education materials and in-home interaction. AirLogix has sophisticated information technology with which it manages the patient data, operational program flow, client information, analysis and outcomes.

For more information visit www.AirLogix.com or call (214) 576-2000.

<< BACK TO NEWS SECTION