1. Assessing Hospital and Health System Preparedness and Response Robert G. Harmon, MD, MPH Vice-President and National Medical Director for Optum/United Health Group Chair of the American Association of Health Plans (AAHP) Subcommittee on Prevention & Public Health

2. The Role of Health Plans in Addressing Bioterrorism Early Detection & Surveillance Response to Events Outreach to Community Stakeholders

3. Early Detection & Surveillance Unique capacity to identify sentinel events & illness clusters Automated outpatient systems and nurse call lines for early identification of symptom patterns Real-time ambulatory & patient diagnosis/chief- complaint data identifying unusual illness clusters Electronic dissemination to public health authorities

4. Response to Events Unique capacity for accurate & timely information to providers and consumers Two-way communication via nurse call lines, behavioral health call centers and case managers E-mail, faxes, newsletters and mailings to employer groups, providers and consumers Alerts to providers for CME training opportunities

5. Outreach to Community Stakeholders Collaboration with local public health, police, fire and EMS officials Direct communication with Governors and State emergency planning offices Development of emergency preparedness planning templates and checklists with scenario training

6. Efforts to Develop Health Plan Bioterrorism Readiness Individual plans engaged with local public health officials Understanding public health resources and needs Communicating health plan resources and capacities National Engagement AAHP Board of Directors task force Coordination with Federal government agencies Developed a health plan readiness checklist Flow of information to health plans and physicians

7. Lessons Learned From 9/11 and the October Anthrax Exposures Back-up operations to support health plan members Employee assistance programs Behavioral support-critical incident stress management Health plan physicians, nurses, social workers, mental health specialists mobilized Communications and IT support