Amerigroup Foundation Presents Grant To Georgia Partnership For TeleHealth

VIRGINIA BEACH, Va., Dec. 12, 2011 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The Amerigroup Foundation announced today that it has provided a $20,000 grant to the Georgia Partnership for TeleHealth (GPT).  The funds will help improve access to quality care for individuals in rural and underserved areas of Georgia through the use of telemedicine and state of the art technologies.   

"GPT is pleased that Amerigroup sees the value of expanding telemedicine in rural areas," remarked Paula Guy, chief executive officer for the Georgia Partnership for TeleHealth. "Our partnership with Amerigroup is invaluable, and with this funding we look forward to further expanding access to healthcare for rural Georgia populations by equipping multiple primary care providers with telemedicine equipment."

The Georgia Partnership for TeleHealth is working to ensure that all rural Georgians are able to access specialty care within 30 miles of their homes.

"We are extremely pleased to support the Georgia Partnership for TeleHealth in facilitating the delivery of convenient and accessible health care services to those in need," said Dr. Tunde Sotunde, chief executive officer for Amerigroup Community Care of Georgia.  "This grant will help fund additional telehealth sites in order to provide more patients in underserved areas with access to specialty care through the use of cutting edge technologies. Amerigroup looks forward to continuing to support the Georgia Partnership for TeleHealth in working towards the ultimate goal of improving the health and well-being of all individuals in Georgia."

Amerigroup is committed to supporting health services for the uninsured and underinsured.  In total this year, the Amerigroup Foundation has invested nearly $750,000 in grants to improve health outcomes and access to quality care for underserved communities, including the $20,000 grant to the Georgia Partnership for TeleHealth.

About Georgia Partnership for TeleHealthThe Georgia Partnership for TeleHealth (GPT) works to improve the availability and provision of specialized health care services in rural and underserved parts of Georgia through the use of telemedicine, health information exchange and telehealth technologies. The program's goal is to enable all rural Georgians to access specialty care within 30 mile of their homes.  For more information, please visit http://www.gatelehealth.org/.

About the Amerigroup FoundationThe Amerigroup Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Amerigroup Corporation (NYSE: AGP), a multi-state managed health care company based in Virginia Beach, Virginia. The Foundation works to create healthy communities by fostering access to health care, encouraging safe and healthy children and families, and promoting community improvement and healthy neighborhoods. For more information about the Amerigroup Foundation, please visit the Foundation page on our website.

CONTACTS:  

News Media: Maureen C. McDonnellAmerigroup CorporationVice President, External Communications(757) 473-2731 [e-mail]   

Crystal CameronAmerigroup CorporationDirector, Media & Public Relations(757) 955-8831 [e-mail]

SOURCE The Amerigroup Foundation

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