MILPITAS, Calif, July 10, 1996 -- Since 1982 the number of Americans that joined one of the country's 574 HMOs rose from 10 million to 51 million. And, with these numbers set to rise further, more people will be required to choose among one of these plans in the near future.

Even though the choice of which plan to join is often made by an employer, knowing which questions to ask when evaluating managed care programs makes the transition easier, particularly if an individual suffers from a chronic disease like diabetes, asthma or epilepsy.

Kim Kelly, Director of Managed Healthcare at LifeScan, a division of Johnson & Johnson, offers these suggestions:

• Is the HMO accredited by the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) or the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO)?

• What special programs (educational, exercise, nutrition) does the HMO offer to people who suffer from chronic diseases?

  Are pre-existing medical conditions (like diabetes, asthma and epilepsy), covered by the plan? If so, how?

• What are the procedures for referrals to specialists and subspecialists? If you suffer from a chronic disease like diabetes, what access do you have to specialists such as endocrinologists, nutritionists and diabetes educators?

• What benefits does the HMO's pharmaceutical plan include? For example, does coverage include, insulin, oral medications, blood glucose meters, test strips and other supplies for people with diabetes?

As a company committed to improving the quality of life for all people with diabetes, LifeScan works directly with HMOs to create educational programs and to provide information and services for those who suffer from this disease, which effects more than 16 million Americans. LifeScan is the leading maker of blood glucose monitoring systems that provide simple solutions that meet the needs of people with diabetes. Every day more than 2 million people with diabetes rely on LifeScan systems to help them lead healthier lives.

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