Use the Blues to improve your employees' health: the result could be a healthier organization and a healthier economy.

Every organization is looking for ways to better manage the cost of providing health benefits to their employees. Many plans can benefit directly from the steps their employees take to improve health. In these plans, organizations fund their employee claims directly or the premium they pay for coverage is determined in large part by the claims of their employees.

However, some organizations in Michigan are insured in community-rated programs. Improving the health of employees covered in community-rated programs does not have a direct effect on the health plan premiums. Improving employee health status can, however, impact absenteeism rates, productivity and employee morale.

Many companies in Michigan use Blue Cross Blue Shield as their medical vendor. In addition to paying medical claims, BCBSM also offers a host of programs your employees can use to help better manage their health. If your plan vendor is not the Blues, check with your provider and see what value-added programs they offer to help improve your employees' health.

BlueHealthConnection

BlueHealthConnection is a program Blue Cross Blue Shield offers to members. It is designed to help members get healthy and stay healthy. The BlueHealthConnection tools can be accessed through the Blues Website at www.bcbsm.com. Click on the lower left box that says "Members Take Your Free Health Risk Appraisal Now."

The BlueHealthConnection offers a host of personalized features to help understand health status and potential health risks. Members will be required to register in order to access these resources: Health Risk Appraisal; Customized Health Dashboard Health Profilers (diabetes, heart disease, asthma, pregnancy and fitness); Personal Health Record; Disease & Condition Center; Health Channels: Women, Men, Children, Seniors, Parents; Tools: Health Calculators, Quizzes, Drug Guide.

The Health Risk Appraisal is a new addition recently launched by BCBSM. This appraisal can be a valuable tool your employees use to identify any potential risks to their health. The survey is free and completely confidential. It will take an individual between 10-15 minutes to complete. The survey consists of a number of questions that are asked about current health status, family health history and current activities that can impact health.

Your employees will receive a report upon completion of the questionnaire. The report offers a wellness score based on the responses. The feedback includes three areas your employees can focus on to improve their health. The report also provides specific feedback on the areas that the employee is doing well in, such as a low-fat diet or not smoking and provides areas for improvement.

The Health Risk Appraisal is free for all BCBSM members. It provides great feedback to your employees on their current health, potential health risks and areas to improve. If this assessment encourages your employees to improve just one aspect of their health, it can impact your costs and your employees' quality of life.

The other tools located at BlueHealthConnection are designed to help your employees better manage their health. Several tools are devoted to education about health conditions and managing the condition properly. One tool allows your employees to record their personal health history. Health history is an important factor if a physician is attempting to diagnosis a potential condition, and very few people maintain records addressing their health.

Blue HealthLine

Blue Healthline is a 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week 800 number staffed by registered nurses. BCBSM members can call the BlueHealthline at 1-800-811-1764 anytime and speak to a registered nurse. This is a great resource for your employees to effectively manage their health care.

It is estimated that nearly 30 percent of all health care received in this country is not necessary. Often, people will seek medical attention because they are not sure how to handle certain medical situations. For example, perhaps your child falls down and hits her head on a piece of playground equipment. For your employees to use this resource effectively, you must remind them on a regular basis that it is available and when it makes sense to make a call instead of an emergency room visit.

Quit the Nic

Blue Cross Clue Shield offers members a telephone program to offer assistance to stop smoking. It's called Quit the Nic. An employee can call the BlueHealthConnection line at 1-800-775-2583 and request to enroll in Quit the Nic. During the initial call, a nurse will discuss the readiness to quit smoking and set up an action plan which will include setting a date to quit smoking.

The program also provides a toolkit to help individuals "kick the habit."

Blue Cross Blue Shield members discounts

Blue Cross Blue Shield also offers a number of discount programs to improve health and safety. These include:

* BlueSafe: This program offers discounts on safety products and home medical equipment including protective helmets and padding, athletic braces and supports, safety sport glasses, blood pressure kits and so on. Just show your ID card at participating stores like Dunham's, MC Sports and Wright & Filippis to get a 20 percent discount.

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* Naturally Blue: This program offers a 20 percent discount on acupuncture, massage therapy and nutrition counseling. For a list of participating providers, go to www.bcbsm.com/natblue. Naturally Blue also gives you access to discounted vitamins, minerals, herbal supplements and skin-care products from GNC.

* Weight Watchers: BCBSM also offers terrific discounts at Weight Watchers, including more than 20 percent off registration and initial 12-week plan, more than 25 percent off registration and initial 7-week plan and 10 percent off additional meeting packages.

Blue Cross Blue Shield offers a host of programs to help members improve their health. Unfortunately, these programs are not fully utilized, primarily because many people are not aware the programs are available. A healthier organization and a healthier Michigan could be the result of promoting these programs and encouraging your employees to use them.

Health Plan Benefit Costs for Active Employees

1998  $3,489
1999  $3,804
2000  $4,165
2001  $4,649
2002  $5,492
2003  $6,027
2004  $6,359

Source: 2004 Mercer National Survey of Employer Sponsored Health Plans

Note: Table made from bar graph.

Sue Mathiesen is director of technical services at McGraw Wentworth in Troy, a member of the Detroit Regional Chamber.

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These pages are brought to you by the Detroit Regional Chamber's Health Care Central ... the hub for all business related health-care issues. For learn more about this initiative, visit www.detroitchamber.com or call (866) MBR-LINE.

The Detroit Regional Chamber sponsors a wide range of special health insurance options. Packages are designed exclusively for small and mid-sized employers and self-employed entrepreneurs. Through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan and Blue Care Network, many plans are available including traditional, Preferred Provider Organization, Point of Service and Health Maintenance Organization. These plans may include extensive benefits normally available only to large firms. Visit the Health Care Central section of our Website at www.detroitchamber.com for more details.