HEALTH AND BEAUTY CLOSE-UP-10 October 2008-Magellan Health Services and Healthwise Team for New Behavior Change Tools(C)2008 - CloseUpMedia - newsdesk@closeupmedia.com

Magellan Health Services, a specialty health care management organization, and Healthwise, a provider of consumer health

The company said the newest addition to Magellan's behavior change products and services suite, Healthwise Ix Conversations apply evidence-based behavior change principles and feature interactive, Web-based conversations that speak directly with the user, and respond with answers tailored to his or her input. Each person gets only the information he or she needs and wants--making each experience unique.

According to a release, Magellan is initially offering Healthwise's Ix Conversations on "Quitting Smoking Again" and "Healthy Thinking" to members served through the company's employer customers who provide employee assistance and/or NAVIGOSM healthy lifestyle coaching services to their employees.

"We are pleased to be able to work with Healthwise to expand the evidence-based tools we offer consumers to help motivate and reinforce behavior change," said Russell C. Petrella, Ph.D., president of behavioral health for Magellan. "Empowering individuals to self-manage their health issues and providing them with the tools to succeed is at the core of Magellan's philosophy. As a leader in delivering evidence-based behavioral health services, including Magellan Condition Care Management and NAVIGO lifestyle coaching, we understand what it takes to motivate behavior change. We are pleased to be able to combine our knowledge and experience in this arena with Healthwise's innovative technology and uniquely personal approach."

"For decades Magellan has been at the forefront of innovation in behavioral health," said Healthwise founder and CEO, Donald W. Kemper. "We are excited that these next-generation, 'interactive conversations' will be used by Magellan coaches and members to help people make personal advances in behavioral health."

Magellan began working with Healthwise in 2006 when Magellan launched its disease management program. Magellan Condition Care Management, the cornerstone of Magellan's behavior change suite of products, is a proactive approach to care management that focuses on addressing underlying behavioral health barriers that can keep members from achieving their health goals. Through proactive outreach, assessments, coordinated interventions and industry behavioral health coaching, members are able to identify and close gaps in skills and understanding that often stand in the way of successful medical treatment.

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