Employers are using upstream methods to give employees access to high-value health care. This was the focus of a panel discussion hosted by The Alliance at their 2019 Annual Seminar in Madison, Wis.
Alliance employer-members and industry professionals learned the latest about health benefit design challenges and how to address them. That was the focus of the Employer Connections event at Northern Illinois University’s Rockford Campus.
“The more time you spend with your provider, the more accurate your diagnosis will be,” said Dr. Michael Tuggy. Dr. Tuggy is the vice chair at Family Medicine for America’s Health and a clinical professor at the University of Washington. He spoke at two events hosted by The Alliance to start a discussion about high-value health care and employer-sponsored direct primary care clinics.
Employees and employers rarely discuss the caregiving responsibilities at home that can affect their performance at work. Yet, one out of every six U.S. employees is an informal caregiver outside of the workplace for a family member or friend. How can an employer start the conversation with their workforce about work-life balance and promote caregiving benefits?
“I want you [employers] to be the drivers of change,” said Heather Sundar, Pharm.D., senior vice president consulting and employer solutions at Archimedes. Sundar spoke at The Alliance’s September 2018 Annual Meeting about the risks and opportunities presented by specialty drugs and biosimilars.
Culture change is never easy. But now is the time for employers to increase awareness about opioid abuse and implement prevention and treatment options to support their employees (and loved ones too!).
Two medical doctors, a pharmaceutical researcher and a pharmacist were among the speakers invited to share their insights at The Alliance’s Opioid Epidemic Summit, held at the Monona Terrace in Madison, Wis.
“How do you talk to someone who is an addict? Use honesty. Don’t overcomplicate this.” Those were the words of advice from Robert Poznanovich, vice president at Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation. Poznanovich was one of several speakers at The Alliance’s Opioid Epidemic event. The speakers offered strategies for employers to reduce stigma and address opioid addiction in the workplace.
“There is strength in numbers – in policy making as well as purchasing health care,” said Karen Timberlake, principal at the Wisconsin offices of Michael Best Strategies. Several staff members of Michael Best Strategies spoke about the past year in health policy and what lies ahead in 2018 at The Alliance’s Health Policy event.
How has federal health policy changed over the past year? Which changes impact employers with self-funded employee health benefit plans? And what are the ‘hot button’ legislation items currently being discussed in U.S. government? John Barlament, partner at Quarles and Brady informed attendees of the need-to-know issues that could impact their benefit offerings at the health policy focused event last month.
