"Healthiest Companies in America" 2007 Winners Announced by Interactive Health Solutions Beyond Wellness Plans, Companies Address Employee Health Problems Early to Control Healthcare Costs Arlington Heights, IL (PRWEB) May 27, 2008 Outstanding progress with their prevention-based healthcare initiatives that encourage employee health and reduce medical costs has led 48 firms to be named the "Healthiest Companies in America" for 2007. The award, based on clinical evaluations of employee participants in key health metrics, was designed by Interactive Health Solutions (IHS), Arlington Heights, Ill., the leading provider of turnkey population health management programs to companies nationwide. Population health management is a strategic initiative for companies that differs from more commonly known wellness programs, according to Jim Banks, IHS CEO. "What IHS provides is true preventative care, with the goal of involving a high percentage of employees at each company," he explains. "Employers and employees take an active role in their own healthcare through our program, allowing them to assert some control over costs." Staying Healthy; Saving Money
Employees who don't get sick save money in medical costs. IHS calculates that on average, the 2007 Healthiest Companies in America spend $2,850 less per employee on annual healthcare costs. "What we are providing is a market-based solution to the current cost crisis facing American companies," explains Banks. At companies that deploy the IHS program, employees receive annual Health Evaluations, personalized health goals and an array of ongoing resources for any identified health condition. Most organizations brand the proactive health effort as a fun, internal program with incentives that reward progress and healthier lifestyles. Winners of the 2007 Healthiest Companies in America Award range from manufacturers to service providers to educational facilities and municipalities. The three categories of winners this year include: Most Improved, Best in Class and Healthiest Companies Overall. Winning companies were selected based on best year-to-year aggregate Interactive Health Index (IHI) score improvement; best IHI score in its class; and best overall IHI score, respectively (see last page for full list of 2007 Award winners). Some companies won more than one Award. A National Issue
A 2007 study recently completed by Zoe Consulting, Inc., Catawba, SC, showed that, for IHS participants, the actual medical cost growth rate was 54 percent less than the medical cost growth rates for non-participants. Medical problems also carry a high price tag in lost productivity and poor service quality. IHS' data shows that companies with the most unhealthy employees have higher workmen's compensation and short-term disability costs. IHS also sees rates of "presenteeism" (employees that are at work - but not performing) decrease by 41 percent at the 2007 Healthiest Companies. "The health of the employer's balance sheet is directly proportionate to the health of its employees," says Banks. Notably, the cost of the entire 12-month IHS preventative care program per employee amounts to less than if an employee had visited his or her physician for one regular check-up. As such, the IHS program serves as a healthcare 'detective,' finding symptoms and indicators before they become a treatable disease. "Doctors are not normally paid to prevent disease, they are called on to treat them," says O'Brien. "What we are trying to accomplish is to focus on healthy people who choose to remain that way." Taking the Pulse of Employee Health
The program begins with employee Health Evaluations held on-site at each employer location, conducted by IHS' medical staff. Within 48 hours of the evaluation, IHS issues a report to each employee that summarizes the results of 36 different blood analyses. "The report states in clinically objective terms what the individual's risks are, and where there are opportunities for improvement," explains O'Brien. Results of the annual IHS screening often lead to employees taking the next steps in treatment and/or lifestyle changes. A customized course of action is recommended following review of the IHI score by the IHS medical staff. IHS then provides medical resources, in-person health courses and online information about specific conditions. IHS also keeps in regular contact with each employee with reminders, status details and helpful recommendations. At year-end, IHS calculates a cumulative IHI 'score' for the company as a whole. This gives employers a comprehensive report card about their employees' health for the first time - an important benefit of the IHS program for company managers. The Healthiest Companies in America for 2007 were selected from more than 1,000 organizations that participate in IHS programs. Results from the various winners provide some telling statistics:
Winning companies were presented with crystal awards and certificates of achievement, both designating their Healthiest Companies in America status. Companies, their management and employees will be further recognized through local and national publicity about the Award. For more information about the IHS preventative care program, contact
Healthiest Companies in America - 2007 Healthiest Companies Overall Category
AP&S
Bell, Boyd & Lloyd LLP
Central Bancompany
City of Batavia
City of Florence
Fairview Ministries
Focused Health Solutions
HCH Administration
HSBC
Indiana Blood Center
Indian Creek School District
Jenner & Block LLP
Kohrs Lonnemann Heil Engineers
Lions Clubs International
Maurice Sporting Goods
MB Financial Bank
McDermott, Will & Emery
Mercy Health Partners
Mesirow Financial
Midmark
MBA/VEBA
Nature's Sunshine Products, Inc.
North Shore School District
Novaspect
Oxford Bank & Trust
Shawano-Gresham Schools
The Horton Group
Troy City School District
WILD Flavors, Inc.
Totes-Isotoner
Virchow Krause & Company
Waubonsee Community College
Wittenberg University
Best in Class Category
Banking
Consulting
Education
Government
Hospital
Insurance Broker (Tie)
The Horton Group
Legal Services
Manufacturing (Tie)
Gallatin Steel
Medical Services
Public Service
Third Party Administrator
Union
Most Improved Category
Brook Furniture Rental Inc.
Catchall Services, Inc.
Cherry Corporation
Cope Plastics
Cummins-Allison Corporation
Fairrington Transportation Services
Gallatin Steel
Goellner
Hutchison, Inc.
Knox College
Lac Du Flambeau
Meritain Health
Nature's Sunshine Products, Inc.
Steel Warehouse
Interactive Health Solutions, Inc. (IHS) provides turnkey population health management programs to companies nationwide. Program services are clinically based and fully HIPAA compliant. The year-round IHS program includes annual, on-site Health Evaluations; individualized health goals; in-person courses and online information about specific conditions; as well as full program administration, record keeping and reporting. IHS employs a national staff of medical professionals (physicians, phlebotomists, counselors, nurses and others) that administer the tests. IHS then reviews and recommends courses of action. The company maintains a comprehensive database and a virtual medical file for each participant. For more information, contact IHS at 800-840-6100, or http://www.healthiestcompanies.com. For further details, please contact: Joseph O'Brien, President, IHS, (847)754-2712 or e mail j.o'brien @ interactivehs.com Robert Reed, Media Relations, (630) 579-1770 or e mail bob @ rurelevant.com Guy Tichy, Media Relations, (224) 653-8875 or e mail guy @ rurelevant.com
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