NEWTON, Mass., Feb 12, 2003 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- McKesson Corporation announced today that CareEnhance(TM) HealthPlan Reporter(TM) version 5.1.1 was certified by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) for HEDIS(R) 2003. It is the third consecutive year the McKesson product has undergone automated testing to attain NCQA HEDIS Software Certification(SM), a program that validates then certifies software that uses health plan data to calculate HEDIS results. McKesson's CareEnhance HealthPlan Reporter software application is the leading product used by health plans to manage the Health Plan Employer Data and Information Set (HEDIS) reporting process.

NCQA updates specifications for HEDIS reporting annually, and requires verification that HEDIS reporting software offered by vendors produces results that are consistent with those specifications. NCQA's Software Certification program, which is voluntary, streamlines the process for health plans by replacing an auditor's manual inspection of a vendor's source code.

CareEnhance HealthPlan Reporter is a component of McKesson's CareEnhance Resource Management Software (CRMS(TM)), a business intelligence tool that integrates clinical and financial information to help measure and improve care delivery. HealthPlan Reporter was 100 percent certified--all measures passed--for the third year in a row.

"We value McKesson's participation in our HEDIS related programs," said Alisa Ray, NCQA's assistant vice president of certification and information products. "In addition to taking part in software certification since its inception and serving as a beta partner last year, they contribute their expertise and experience as ongoing members of our pharmacy review panel."

According to Dr. Paul Steen, vice president of product management and clinical development for McKesson CareEnhance Products, it's all part of a broader strategy. "McKesson's goal is to help our clients achieve success with their HEDIS processes, and do it as efficiently and economically as possible. NCQA software certification for HealthPlan Reporter means less time and cost for clients. We also recently formed a partnership with FMG Technologies to integrate its handheld data collection software with HealthPlan Reporter to make HEDIS(R) chart reviews less resource intensive and more accurate at the same time."

About NCQA

NCQA is an independent, not-for-profit organization dedicated to measuring the quality of America's health care, whose mission is to provide information that enables purchasers and consumers of managed health care to distinguish among plans based on quality, thereby allowing them to make more informed decisions.

About McKesson Corporation

McKesson Corporation is the leading provider of supply, information and care management products and services designed to reduce costs and improve quality across healthcare. Founded in 1833, with annual revenues of more than US$50 billion, McKesson ranks as the 31st largest industrial company in the United States. The McKesson Health Solutions business unit offers integrated technologies and services for the payor, provider and pharmaceutical manufacturer markets. The CareEnhance(TM) Products division supplies workflow technology that facilitates case, disease and utilization management; business intelligence tools for measuring, reporting, and improving clinical and financial performance; and InterQual(R) Criteria for clinical decision support. The CareEnhance(TM) Services division provides call center and online programs for disease management, nurse triage, early identification and referrals. The Specialty Pharmaceutical division supplies multiple channels with services for specialty product dispensing, reimbursement, patient support and compliance, and wholesale distribution.

HEDIS(R) is a registered trademark of NCQA.

HEDIS Software Certification(SM) is a service mark of NCQA.

CONTACT:
McKesson CareEnhance Products
Marian Mostovy, 800/522-6780 ext. 2859