In recent years, we’ve seen a sizable shift toward a data-driven healthcare system, but we still have some distance to go before it becomes the norm. Providers are beginning to decipher how to efficiently leverage the right data sets — and technologists are still in the process of building systems capable of sharing that data across the entire healthcare network in a meaningful … [More]
Paid Sick Leave Impacts Preventive Care
More than 20 million Americans have gained health insurance coverage through the Affordable Care Act and do not have to pay for 15 preventive screenings recommended by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. Yet, despite this advantage, many are not utilizing these lifesaving screenings and are contributing to the nation’s soaring healthcare costs, which reached a whopping $3 … [More]
Avoid a Costly Flu Season
When it comes to flu season, both employees and employers are at risk. According to the National Foundation for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, up to 20 percent of the U.S. population suffers with the flu each year. The loss of employee earnings is estimated at $16.3 billion annually and the overall economic burden is roughly $87 billion. Given that the flu can … [More]
Advanced Illness Management
Hospice of the West, a leading community-based hospice and palliative care organization in Maricopa County, points to the importance of Advanced Illness Management for health plan members with serious illnesses, effectively improving care quality, addressing financial consequences, and coordinating access to care. To further advance satisfaction with care and health plan … [More]
Stand Up for Work
Standing desks are gaining attention as a way to promote health and wellness in the workplace. The peer-reviewed British Journal of Sports Medicine recommends office employees work their way up to standing for four hours per day. One key reason, aside from workers being more alert and focused, is that standing burns more calories than sitting, according to the U.S. National … [More]
Specialized Response to PT Clinic Growth
Emma Kingston’s recent launch of PT Clinic Marketing after two year’s success with AZ Healthcare Marketing is a response to the growth of that specialized facet of the healthcare industry. “The more I was engaged in the medical community, the more I saw that [physical therapy] clinics are really taking off, and changing the way they practice,” she says. The growing #ChoosePT … [More]
Posture Impacts Productivity
A new product addresses a health and productivity issue that affects a large segment of the workforce — poor posture. The UpRight Trainer is a small wearable that attaches to the upper or lower back and employs advanced smart sensors to vibrate gently when the user slouches, reminding him to correct his posture and, ultimately, training him to improve his posture. UpRight … [More]
Wellness Benefits
MJ Insurance has added a new position of wellness coordinator to its Arizona benefits consulting team, charged with developing and employing wellness initiatives for its clientele. Bringing experience and education in wellness and exercise to this new position, Amanda Marenghi will use data-driven strategies to provide them with the necessary tools and understanding to deliver … [More]
Wearable Devices Integrate with Wellness Program
Last year, UnitedHealthcare and Qualcomm introduced UnitedHealthcare Motion as a pilot program that integrates new wearable devices with wellness programs and allows people to earn financial rewards for being active. The program was built around Qualcomm Life’s 2net™ Platform* for medical-grade connectivity that features multiple safeguards to help keep data … [More]
It’s All about Meditation
Current Meditation’s raison d’être is empowering people to tap into the benefits of meditation and use it every day to improve their quality of life. “Meditation is becoming mainstream,” says Ross Weisman, president and chief operating officer, who, with his co-founders, brings to the enterprise a combined 40-plus years of business experience. In vogue now as the science of … [More]
U.S. Health Advances — and Declines
With employee health continuing to be an important focus for employers, recognizing the direct correlation to productivity and healthcare premiums and thus profitability, the 27th America’s Health Rankings Annual Report® recently released by United Health Foundation has both good news and bad. The report — which is prepared through an analysis of 34 measures of behaviors, … [More]
Magellan Health Expands
Magellan Health, Inc. has entered into an agreement to acquire Veridicus Holdings, LLC, a privately held pharmacy benefit management (PBM) organization with a unique set of clinical services and capabilities. Veridicus’ differentiated approach to pharmacy management leverages proprietary analytics and clinical software that integrates pharmacy, medical and lab data to drive … [More]
Packaging Keeps Med Log
TimerCap LLC is a leading innovator of easy and effective medication compliance packaging solutions to address poor medication adherence. TimerCap makes it simple to stay on top of medication schedules by replacing traditional prescription vial caps with a reusable simple cap incorporating a built-in digital timer. Working with Medisafe, a leading personalized medication … [More]
Offering Healthcare to Multigenerational Workforces
As employers work to refine their annual benefits offerings, a central challenge they face is providing the right mix of care and preventive services for an increasingly age-diverse population. For the first time in modern history, four generations are in the workforce, each with different needs, desires and resources. Employers are being challenged to better understand … [More]
Service Partnership Saves 911 Resources
A service partnership between Tempe Fire Medical Rescue Department and Tempe St. Luke’s Hospital is not only making a significant impact on patient care, it’s reducing the number of 911 calls from people who may not require emergency services. Formed to address repeat 911 calls from chronically ill patients who may not require emergency services, a Patient Advocacy Service … [More]
Be Alzheimer’s-Friendly to the Public
Enabling public-facing businesses to better serve a consumer population dealing with Alzheimer’s and other dementias, Home Instead Senior Care last month rolled out a special Alzheimer’s Friendly BusinessSM training program. “The unpredictable nature of the disease is one of the biggest deterrents to going out in public,” says Rey Graf, client care representative with the local … [More]
Healthcare IT Grows in Niche Market
Phoenix-based Topaz, a healthcare IT company that recently underwent a rebranding to support its evolution to a national provider of healthcare technology solutions, has grown since its founding in 2008 from a staff of two focused solely on the Arizona market to a staff of 43 with clients in nine states. Javier Favela, president and CEO, credits that in large part to “a shift … [More]
New Company Investing in Healthcare Startups
Trinnovate Ventures, a subsidiary of Blue Cross Blue Shield of Arizona that launched last year focused on accelerating healthcare innovation, aims to improve quality of life, increase efficiencies and enhance the overall healthcare experience for consumers and providers through strategic investments. The company provides business resources, offers access to capital and … [More]
