HOUSTON, June 12, 2000 (PRIMEZONE) -- MediQuik Services, Inc. (OTC:MDQK) announced today that it has signed Texas Health Choice, L.C. (THC) for implementation of its Diabetes Advantage Plan(TM). THC provides health benefits to nearly 120,000 Texans. Among its membership, an estimated 3,800, or 3.1 percent, have diabetes. Enrollment of these individuals in the Diabetes Advantage Plan(TM) will begin in June and continue on an on-going basis.
Laura Higginbotham, Quality Improvement Director for THC said, "We were looking for a proactive diabetes support program that puts a strong emphasis on the patient's individual care and support. After evaluating several programs, we selected the Diabetes Advantage Plan(TM) from MediQuik because of their comprehensive and cost efficient method of helping our members. We are excited about launching this new initiative this summer."
The initial implementation of the Diabetes Advantage Plan(TM) will assess THC members through specialized health surveys. As a result, several personalized health interventions, based on MediQuik proprietary health assessment algorithms, will be activated. As a result, patients begin receiving direct help and support from THC care coordinators immediately and usually before serious complications have developed. MediQuik continues its support with educational materials, an unlimited 24 hour diabetes support network and, a convenient direct to home delivery of medications and supplies service. The outcome of this program is a reduction of costs through the prevention of emergency visits, in-patient hospital admissions and avoidable out patient procedures.
"Recognizing the deep commitment that THC has to its members, we were very pleased to have been selected for their diabetes support program. We share their commitment and look forward to providing their members with our Diabetes Advantage Plan(TM)" said, Ben Scardello, Sr. Vice President for MediQuik.
About Texas Health Choice ( www.texashealthchoice.com )
Texas Health Choice is a health maintenance organization providing health benefits to nearly 120,000 members in the Dallas, Fort Worth and Houston areas. Plans available include traditional HMO plans, as well as point-of-service plans, individual plans, and Medicare + Choice plans for Medicare beneficiaries. Texas Health Choice is an operating subsidiary of Sierra Health Services, Inc. (NYSE:SIE), a Nevada-based diversified health care services company, serving 1.4 million members.
About MediQuik Services ( www.mediquik.net )
MediQuik Services, Inc. is based in Houston, Texas and offers an advance eCare system to chronic disease management programs. The company's eCare approach utilizes proprietary clinical and operational systems to greatly enhance patient care while reducing costs. MediQuik's renowned clinical and executive team has developed "state of the art" disease management algorithms, telecommunications and Internet connectivity technologies to help patients. The company's programs are specifically designed to provide significant cost savings to managed care organizations by enhancing the support patients receive. This aggressive level of personalized support encourages participation and self-management with each patient. By providing high quality healthcare resources to the patient, MediQuik and its clients can achieve the goal of improving the patient's health care experience while reducing the long-term costs associated with the diabetes.
This press-release contains certain forward looking statements within the meaning of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Investors are cautioned that all statements included in this press release which concern the company and its operations, other than statements of historical fact, are forward looking statements. Although the company believes that forward looking statements contained herein are reasonable they are based on numerous assumptions, any and all which could be inaccurate, and therefore, there can be no assurance that the forward-looking statements included herein will be correct or accurate, the inclusion of such information should not be regarded as a representation by the Company or any other person that the objectives and plans of the Company will be achieved.