Affinity Health Plan Helps Member Receive Heart Transplant

Managed care company goes above and beyond to assist member obtain heart transplant; Affinity offers range of cardiac services for the underserved.

Bronx, NY (Vocus) July 27, 2007-- Long Island resident Sylvester Killings, 45, was in dire straights prior to joining Affinity Health Plan (http://www.affinityplan.org/) in 2006. Born with rheumatic fever, Sylvester had long suffered from various ailments which were made worse by drug and alcohol use. After an accident placed him in the hospital, he learned his heart condition had worsened and he needed a heart transplant to live. With no where to turn, Sylvester relied on Affinity to help him stay sober while keeping him on track to obtain, and maintain, a new heart.

Sylvester’s story is a testament to Affinity’s Cardiac service offerings. Unlike most Prepaid Health Services Plans (PHSPs) or Health Maintenance Organizations (HMOs), Affinity provides a range of cardiac services (http://affinityplan.org/members.asp), including transplant placement and rehabilitation, largely for underserved populations reliant on Medicaid.

“I was confused and didn’t know what to do,” said Sylvester, who joined Affinity Health Plan just a year ago. “Affinity did a great job. They sent me to a top hospital and got this heart for me.”

Though an Affinity case manager was immediately assigned to Sylvester’s case, it was not easy getting Sylvester on the transplant list due to his past drug and alcohol abuse. The case manager worked for months to enroll Sylvester in Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, and then collaborated with his Cardiologist at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital to secure his placement on the transplant list. While on the list Sylvester had to keep all appointments, which required traveling from Suffolk County to Manhattan. Affinity was there again – setting up his appointments and arranging transportation services.

Sylvester, after waiting on the list for several months, received his new heart in May of 2006. A year after the transplant Sylvester is determined to follow through on the discipline and personal choices needed to stay healthy. He eats right and exercises, running two miles every other day. “It’s a wonderful life I’m going through now,” he says.

After the transplant, Sylvester received a call from another health plan who asked him to switch to their coverage. “I told them ‘no way, Affinity saved my life when no one else would help.’”

“Sylvester truly represents the heart of our membership,” said Maura Bluestone, President and CEO of Affinity. “We are filled with people who care about people, and the service Sylvester received is how we strive to handle all of our Members. We’re proud of the fact we not only cover major cardiac services, but also work hard to keep members healthy long after surgery.”

Affinity’s network of providers offer a range of cardiac services not usually covered by managed care plans. Further, Affinity gives its Members, traditionally underserved Medicaid recipients, access to the top hospitals in the New York metro area, including Columbia Presbyterian Hospital.

About Affinity

Affinity Health Plan is an independent, not-for-profit organization offering quality health care coverage to underserved New Yorkers. Its programs are sponsored by New York State and include Child Health Plus, Family Health Plus, Medicaid managed care, and UniCare. Affinity is also a Medicare Advantage contract organization offering Affinity Medicare Ultimate and Affinity Medicare Solutions in New York City. Founded in 1986, Affinity serves more than 208,000 members in an area that includes New York City, Long Island, and the surrounding counties of Westchester, Rockland and Orange. For more information visit www.affinityplan.org or call (866) 247-5678.

To speak with an Affinity representative regarding Sylvester Killings or its provider hospitals and cardiac services, contact:

Max Meng                        

Director of Corporate Communications        

Tel: 718-794-5799                    

Cell: 917-684-5467

mmeng(@)affinityplan.org                

Matt Draper

Communications Manager    

Tel: 718-794-5746    

Cell: 917-440-3427    

mdraper(@)affinityplan.org

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