Wellco Blog - HealthTrendsBlog.com
The One Question To Ask A Prospective Wellness Provider
November 30, 2011 by Scott FosterAn increasingly large cadre of self-proclaimed new wellness "gurus" claim to be really good at providing wellness programs. Have you noticed that in the past several years, established health providers of all kinds are adding departments devoted to wellness? Traditional companies that have focused on health insurance for decades all of a sudden claim to be wellness experts. Health systems skilled... Continue Reading »
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CDC Awards $9M in Wellness Grants
October 7, 2011 by Scott FosterAbout 100 employers across the nation will be provided with comprehensive wellness programs, as a result of $9 million in grant funding from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The grant is designed to boost health conditions and combat the associated costs to businesses.
Companies of various sizes across 7 national regions will be provided with 2-years of support... Continue Reading »
Companies of various sizes across 7 national regions will be provided with 2-years of support... Continue Reading »
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It Takes 2,000 Employees to Find a Healthy One?
April 1, 2011 by Scott FosterOnly 1 out of nearly 2,000 people assessed could claim ideal heart health, according to a recent study published in Circulation. Of 1,933 American adults who participated in a risk evaluation study, only 1 satisfied the American Heart Association's guidelines for good heart health. The study examined physician examinations, blood test measurements and survey questions to report health status based... Continue Reading »
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Small Business Wellness Grant Update
March 8, 2011 by Scott FosterAlthough the majority of large companies provide employee wellness programs, few small businesses do. Despite employing 70% of US employees, small businesses have less reason to offer wellness, largely because health insurance carriers do not reduce premiums for achieved savings like they do with bigger companies. Health reform provides a financial motivation to help small businesses catch up through... Continue Reading »
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How To Optimize Employee Health And Keep Your Day Job
How can a leading nonprofit human service agency optimize employee health resources without expensive technology or training? Continue on for a short video by Judson Center's Chief Operating Officer, Sean de Four.
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Watch Video »
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A practical overview of health reform and wellness.
November 2, 2010 by Scott FosterThe historic yet overwhelmingly complex Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) will strongly affect all aspects of medical care delivery, for better and worse. The 907-page mega law features wellness prominently and uses the word wellness 86 times. The most pertinent wellness issues are in the Prevention of Chronic Disease and Improving Public Health Section (Title IV).
Key... Continue Reading »
Key... Continue Reading »
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Who is the healthiest one of all?
October 14, 2010 by Scott FosterYou might think of Craige, my father-in-law, as the proverbial picture of health. At 57 years of age with regular checkups, healthy eating and exercise, Craige’s lifestyle couldn’t be healthier - or could it?
I can picture my most recent phone conversation with Craige as he was talking about how hard he tries to plan for healthy time with family during his approaching retirement... Continue Reading »
I can picture my most recent phone conversation with Craige as he was talking about how hard he tries to plan for healthy time with family during his approaching retirement... Continue Reading »
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60 Seconds to Save Prevention Funding
August 26, 2010 by Scott FosterThe health reform law contains the support of the Prevention and Public Health Fund to invest in prevention and community health. The fund has already met preventive milestones towards tobacco cessation, physical activity, healthy eating and disease prevention.
This instrumental fund is in danger due to an amendment by Senator Mike Johanns (R-NE) to divert the fund for another bill,... Continue Reading »
This instrumental fund is in danger due to an amendment by Senator Mike Johanns (R-NE) to divert the fund for another bill,... Continue Reading »
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3 Key Questions to Effectively Evaluate and Improve Benefits
August 6, 2010 by Scott FosterQuestion # 1: Do you have associates that aren’t as healthy as they think they are?
Despite their best intentions and regular medical visits, your employees are not as healthy as they think they are, not even close! We have never finished a single day of HealthHammer testing without finding a handful of “walking time bombs”. Providing an effective onsite health screening... Continue Reading »
Despite their best intentions and regular medical visits, your employees are not as healthy as they think they are, not even close! We have never finished a single day of HealthHammer testing without finding a handful of “walking time bombs”. Providing an effective onsite health screening... Continue Reading »
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Home Sick – How families and health impact your bottom line
July 16, 2010 by Scott FosterI have been trying to get my dad to see his doctor more and live healthier for more than 20 years but he didn’t wasn’t very receptive (perhaps as deserved revenge for me not listening to him as much as I should have growing up). Dad would say, “I only need to go to the doctor when I get sick and I never get sick.” Does that sound familiar to you?
The good news is that my... Continue Reading »
The good news is that my... Continue Reading »
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Hockey Legend’s Death Brings Awareness
July 8, 2010 by Scott FosterRetired Detroit Red Wings and Chicago Blackhawks tough guy Bob Probert died recently after an apparent heart attack while boating with his family. He was just 45 years old. Does it feel like heart disease victims are becoming younger and you’re getting older?
The devastation of losing a loved one unexpectedly has become more frequent and difficult. However, preventing heart disease... Continue Reading »
The devastation of losing a loved one unexpectedly has become more frequent and difficult. However, preventing heart disease... Continue Reading »
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Wellness Benefit, Value and Engagement
How does a leading internet services firm firm evaluate wellness and employee impact? Hear it yourself from Brad Frederick, CEO of Media Genesis.
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Watch Video »
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ROI Standard and Value
Benefit firms understand the need for health cost effectiveness for their clients. In this short video, Steve Rosser, Vice President of Benefits & Financial Services for Johnston Lewis Associates, shares his impression of the HealthHammer Zero Trend Appraisal system.
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Watch Video »
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The One Thing to Save Health Care
May 18, 2010 by Scott FosterRemember the movie “City Slickers?” During one of the better scenes, Curly (Jack Palance) tells Mitch (Billy Crystal) that life is about "one thing," but you have to find out just what that thing is for yourself. Mitch spends the rest of the movie looking for his "one thing” and ends up much better as a result.
Are you hearing about "one thing" that is going to save the health... Continue Reading »
Are you hearing about "one thing" that is going to save the health... Continue Reading »
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Study Identifies Avoidable Health Spending
May 5, 2010 by Scott FosterA recent study found Heart disease is the most expensive illness in the US at nearly $150 billion annually. Heart disease and other preventable conditions are responsible for significantly driving up health costs. The study was performed by Center for Healthcare Research and Transformation in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Other costly condition opportunities include mood disorders (depression and bi-polar),... Continue Reading »
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Companies Criticize Employees For Benefit Costs & Want Help
April 21, 2010 by Scott FosterPoor Employee health behavior is the biggest concern regarding health benefits and affordability according to 2/3 of employers in a recent survey by the National Business Group on Health and Towers Watson. The next biggest concerns, by 41% of companies, are poor utilization of preventive services, expensive catastrophic care and end-of-life treatment.
Fifty-eight percent of the employers... Continue Reading »
Fifty-eight percent of the employers... Continue Reading »
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Wellness Becomes Law
March 18, 2010 by Scott FosterThe House and Senate have approved the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Senate Bill and are expecting President Obama's signature by the end of April.
The 2,000 page, $940 million plan includes 6 corporate wellness provisions that will remain law regardless of what happens to the bill. With much debate over national spending, coverage and timing, many businesses are pleased... Continue Reading »
The 2,000 page, $940 million plan includes 6 corporate wellness provisions that will remain law regardless of what happens to the bill. With much debate over national spending, coverage and timing, many businesses are pleased... Continue Reading »
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Prestigious Wellness Conference Highlights Cost Control
March 18, 2010 by Scott FosterThe 29th Annual Wellness in the Workplace Conference was recently held in Ann Arbor Michigan and sponsored by the University of Michigan Health Management Research Center (HMRC). The conference highlighted wellness programs from leading organizations such as Pitney Bowes and Lincoln Industries. Dee Edington, Ph.D., Director, HMRC called businesses to action with the following key questions and opportunities... Continue Reading »
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Smoking Bans Create Momentum and Opportunity
February 2, 2010 by Scott FosterOn May 1, 2010, smoking will no longer be allowed in most Michigan workplaces, restaurants and bars along with 37 other states that have also banned smoking in public places.
Employers and people who break the no smoking law can be penalized $100 for the first offense and $500 afterward. Casinos and tobacco stores are often exempt and many hotels are contesting liability if customers... Continue Reading »
Employers and people who break the no smoking law can be penalized $100 for the first offense and $500 afterward. Casinos and tobacco stores are often exempt and many hotels are contesting liability if customers... Continue Reading »
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If You Thought HIPAA Regulations Were Confusing...
January 11, 2010 by Scott FosterThe number of companies that offer wellness programs is about 60%. This represents an increase of nearly 35% in less than 3 years. Corporate wellness spending is up 25% in the same period. Moreover, almost 10 wellness provisions are expected to be part of the 2010 final health reform bill. This turbocharged momentum has created new watchdog groups, lawsuits and legislation geared towards company... Continue Reading »
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