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GM Designates HAP the Only 'Benchmark' HMO in Michigan for Year 2000

20 October 1999

GM Designates HAP the Only 'Benchmark' HMO in Michigan for Year 2000

    DETROIT, Oct. 20 -- General Motors Corporation (GM)
designated Health Alliance Plan (HAP) a "Benchmark" HMO for the salaried
employees and retirees' health care program.  HAP meets the highest quality,
service and cost standards GM has for the HMOs it offers.  HAP is one of only
13 premier GM Benchmark HMOs nationally, and Michigan's only Benchmark HMO for
the year 2000.
    HAP, with approximately 6,000 contracts, will be the largest GM Benchmark
HMO in the country offered to their salaried employees.  Kaiser in Southern
California is the second largest, with 550 contracts.
    "Now that HAP attained Benchmark status, the monthly contribution paid by
GM salaried employees and retirees enrolling with HAP will be the lowest of
any HMO offered.  GM employees will appreciate the contribution advantage and
will recognize the value implied by the 'Benchmark' designation," said Joan C.
Rodney, Regional Director -- Southeast Michigan Health Care Initiatives.  "GM
devoted considerable effort to ensure that health plans offered meet our
expectations in terms of quality of care.  We look forward to building on
HAP's strengths to ensure an increasing level of health care quality, value
and service offered through the HAP program."
    "HAP commends General Motors' leadership in holding health plans
accountable for customer satisfaction, value, and quality," said HAP President
and CEO Cleve L. Killingsworth.  "The GM Medical Plan Guide enables consumers
to make an informed choice among local health plans by sharing meaningful,
comparative information during open enrollment.  Achieving the GM 'Benchmark'
standard reflects the high quality of HAP-affiliated physicians and employees
and their dedication to excellence in quality health care and service."
    Headquartered in Detroit and a subsidiary of the Henry Ford Health System,
HAP is a full-service, nonprofit healthcare insurer serving more than 506,000
members and 3,000 employer groups.  HAP's HMO is fully accredited by the
National Committee for Quality Assurance.