On Thursday, May 8 from 2:00-3:30 p.m., Jerry Frye, President, The Benefit Services Group, will be the featured speaker in a webcast presented by the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans. The title of his presentation is "Prescription for Change: The Employer's Role in Healing the Health Care System."
If you would like to attend this webcast please register by clicking on the link below.
Click here for more information
Hewitt Research Reveals Companies to Get More Involved in the Health of Their Workforce, But Employees Cautious of New Role
April 3, 2008 - Hewitt Associates
The number of employers who say they will get more directly involved in managing the individual health of their employees jumped 25 percentage points from last year, reflecting a nationwide trend to find more ways to save money in a tightening economy, according to new research by Hewitt Associates, a global human resources services company. But while companies believe they need to get more involved in keeping their workforce healthy, employees are less convinced.
Physicians, Payors Agree to Draft National Quality Measurement, Reporting Principles
April 1, 2008- Healthcare Intelligence Network
The Consumer-Purchaser Disclosure Project today announced a national agreement with leading physician groups and health insurers on principles to guide how health plans measure doctors' performance and report the information to consumers.
The Patient Charter for Physician Performance Measurement, Reporting and Tiering Programs creates a national set of principles to guide measuring and reporting to consumers about doctors' performance. According to the Consumer-Purchaser Disclosure Project, the accord is an important step toward patient-centered health reform that gives patients reliable information that will lead to better care and help them make informed choices. Where embraced, the Patient Charter will ensure both consumers and physicians will be able to understand, trust and contribute to how health plans rate doctors' performance.
Prognosis Positive: Companies Aim to Get Workers Healthy
April 15, 2008 - Workforce Management
Prescription Plan: How concerned are companies with soaring health premiums? Get this: During the next three to five years, nearly 90 percent of firms plan to aggressively promote healthy lifestyles to their employees in an attempt to cut health care costs. That's according to Hewitt Associates, a Lincolnshire, Illinois-based consulting firm that based its findings on a survey of 500 U.S. companies. In a similar survey last year, Hewitt found that 63 percent of companies were making similar plans to promote health-conscious living among employees.
Obesity More Costly To U.S. Companies Than Smoking, Alcoholism
April 9, 2008 - Workforce Management
The obesity epidemic costs U.S. private employers an estimated $45 billion a year in medical expenditures and worker absenteeism, according to a report released today by the Conference Board.
The report found obesity is associated with a 36 percent increase in health-care spending, more than results from smoking or alcoholism. Since 34 percent of American adults fit the definition of obesity, cutting costs associated with the condition will challenge companies for years to come.
