American Specialty Health (ASH) announced a new agreement with Kaiser On-the-Job Health Care Organization (KOJHCO) to provide access to a network of chiropractors and acupuncturists to thousands of its KOJHCO enrollees in Northern California.

American Specialty Health Networks (ASH Networks) will administer chiropractic and acupuncture services for approximately 20,000 enrollees. Coverage is expected to expand to 50,000 enrollees in January 2005.

With an extensive network of providers, ASH Networks will assist KOJHCO enrollees to find the appropriate contracted chiropractor or acupuncturist.

"This agreement between American Specialty Health Networks and Kaiser is the latest chapter in a longstanding and mutually beneficial relationship between ASH Networks and Kaiser," said George DeVries, chairman, president and chief executive officer of ASH.

"We look forward to continuing to administer chiropractic and acupuncture services for Kaiser On-the-Job Health Care Organization enrollees."

"Kaiser On-the-Job in Northern California is pleased to be working with ASH again in administering health care for injured workers because of the quality of ASH Networks' clinician credentialing, utilization review, medical care quality oversight and the high level of customer service that they consistently deliver," said Douglas Benner, MD, coordinator of occupational health for Kaiser Permanente Northern California Region.

Kaiser Permanente, founded in 1945, is a non-profit integrated health care organization. In its Northern California Region, the organization serves almost 3.2 million members.

ASH Networks is a subsidiary of American Specialty Health Inc. ASH and its subsidiaries are specialty benefits organization for complementary health care, providing benefit, health education, and affinity network programs to health plans, insurance carriers, employer groups, and trust funds nationwide. This article was prepared by Health Business Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2004, Health Business Week via IncRx.com.

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