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TPA Briefing: May 2010
In this issue:
On My Mind:
20 Years Later: From The Idea to The Alliance
By:
Cheryl DeMars, President & CEO
A lot can change in 20 years. Styles change for sure. As we’ve been preparing for our anniversary celebration next week (May 4) as part of the Alliance Annual Seminar, that has been abundantly clear as we flip through the records of our cooperative in the form of our annual reports and look at the pictures inside.
But even as the styles have changed, we are honored that many of the faces and organizations have remained the same. Next week as part of our program, we’ll hear from some of our long-term members and some of those who have played an active part in our Board of Directors and other committees. They’ll provide perspective on how health care has changed since 1990 and what part The Alliance has played in that.
Next week’s event is just the kickoff to our celebration of 20 years as a cooperative. Over the next weeks and months we’ll be looking back at how we have grown from The Idea — from seven organizations sitting together at a table — into The Alliance of today, consisting of more than 160 members.
Our program also includes Dr. Dee Edington and Dr. Wendy Lynch for an intriguing look at the health and productivity of the work force and how to influence these factors. I look forward to seeing you there.
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Read How Alliance Members Impacted Trend with Coordinated Health/Care™
A new case study shows how Alliance members Monroe Truck, Monroe, Wis., and Lakeside Foods Inc, Manitowoc, Wis., have seen positive impact on their trend since using the Coordinated Health/Care™ program from Quantum Health.
The Alliance has partnered with Quantum Health to offer their Coordinated Health/Care program to employers with more than 200 employees across all networks. For more information about Coordinated Health/Care, please contact Bobbi Jones, product management specialist, at 800.233.4139 x 6638.
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Congratulations to Our Members: Culver’s and Foremost Farms
Culver Franchising System, Inc. was recently awarded the Large Business of the Year award at the Sauk County Business Awards Dinner. It was only in 1998 that the organization won the award for Small Business of the Year, showing how much this organization has grown in 12 years.
Foremost Farms recently won the Workplace Gold Award from the Wellness Council of America (WELCOA) for its efforts to promote employee health and well being. A “well workplace” is an organization fully embracing its responsibility for maximizing the health and well-being of its employees. The gold award recognizes organizations developing comprehensive programs and producing results.
Congratulations to these members!
Do you have an award we should know about? Send it to Tierney Jensen.
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Preferred Pricing from Delta for Alliance Members
The Alliance offers a preferred relationship with Delta Dental and DeltaVision for members. Members save on administrative fees and are offered performance and savings guarantees.
Delta Dental
The Alliance’s preferred relationship with Delta Dental Plan of Wisconsin gives members savings on administrative fees for dental plans as well as performance and savings guarantees. Other benefits include:
Delta Dental Plan of Wisconsin is also part of the nationwide Delta Dental system, providing uniform benefits, expert administration and network savings wherever your employees may live.
DeltaVision
Alliance members can also receive discounted rates on DeltaVision product which includes rate guarantees for two years. The program was developed through a partnership between Delta Dental and EyeMed Vision Care and takes advantage of EyeMed’s large, nationwide network and expertise in claims administration and customer service.
The DeltaVision product can be offered as a stand-alone or combined with the dental plan.
To learn more about preferred pricing from Delta read our product sheet or contact Bobbi Jones, product management specialist, 800.223.4139 x 6638.
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Benefit in Focus: Challenges and Quarterly Focus Programs from Health Solutions, Ltd.®
Health promotion challenges or quarterly focus programs are low-cost ways to assist participants to reach their health goals, build support for wellness programs, and increase productivity and morale. Alliance members who use our wellness partner, Health Solutions, Ltd.®, have access to a variety of customizable health promotion challenges that are fun, effective, and easy to administer.
Support materials to implement a quarterly focus or challenge include educational information, flyers, table tents, presentations and event information. These materials focus on many of the popular health promotion challenge topics such as weight management, nutrition, fitness and tobacco cessation.
The challenges are designed to be done in teams or individually by participants. Typically, team approaches yield better results and have the added benefit of increasing accountability between participants. Quarterly focuses allow the opportunity to target multiple health risks in one program year and present health in a holistic manner.
For more information about Health Solutions, Ltd.®, the current program challenge offerings or information about their partnership with the Alliance, contact Bobbi Jones, product management specialist, 800.223.4139 x 6638.
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Resources from WELCOA
The Wellness Council of America has two new free resources for employers:
The Quick Culture Inventory will help members better understand the culture change process and help them identify which of the major elements of culture need to be addressed in order to create a healthier climate for employees.
The new Tool-Kit on Physical Activity for a Healthy Weight will help employees understand why exercise is important, how much they need, and how they can stay motivated. It includes a physical activity, handout masters for distribution, and an in-depth fact sheet to help members prepare.
Access these resource, and more, here.
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Upcoming Wellness Conference
The National Wellness Institute is holding its 35th Annual National Wellness Conference July 17 – 22 at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. The event includes International Wellness Day on Monday, July 19, a day-long series of presentations, workshops and wellness celebrations open to conference attendees. Learn more.
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Building Our Cooperative
Please join us in welcoming the following new member to the cooperative:
Dexter Apache Holdings joined The Alliance on January 1, 2010, and provides, through its subsidiaries, laundry equipment distributorship services, money lending financial services, and foundry manufacturing services. A 100 percent employee owned company headquartered in Fairfield, Iowa, with more than 750 employees, Dexter Apache Holdings focuses on delivering high quality, innovative products and services and creating a highly efficient, service oriented company that is committed to excellence.
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Alliance Provider Update
The Alliance encourages employers to distribute the monthly Provider Update listing to their employees.
Just a reminder: Always check the online provider directory for the most current provider information!
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QualityCounts™ for Employees
The Alliance encourages employers to distribute the monthly QualityCounts for Employees informational piece to their employees.
This month, we show how comparative effectiveness research can help individuals make more informed decisions about their care. This QualityCounts for Employees piece provides consumer-friendly information on what comparative research is and information about where to receive consumer guides on specific treatments.
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News You Can Use
Each month, The Alliance highlights health care and benefit management news for employers in News You Can Use, with a link to take you to the original story or report.
This month, read findings from the National Business Group on Health/Towers Watson Annual Employer Survey.
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Who to Contact at The Alliance
Do you know who to contact at The Alliance to have your questions answered? Our Web site can help you get to the right person quickly. It includes information on who to contact for eligibility, invoices, transmissions, and products and services.
Visit us and bookmark it for future reference.
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About The Alliance TPA Newsletter
Each month, The Alliance TPA Newsletter delivers the latest news to third-party administrators about Alliance services, programs and events as well as information on health benefit trends, issues and ideas of interest to our mutual clients.
Subscriptions are available on a complimentary basis. To subscribe, please send an e-mail with your name, title and organization to the marketing and member services department.
Reader comments, suggestions and topics are always welcome.
Cathy Lanser, Editor
Daniel Lehnherr, Design
Carlene Boehmer, Manager of Claims & Customer Service
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