Wentworth Takes Home the Walking Challenge Prize
This year’s “Walk This Way Walking Challenge” was an overwhelming success. Fifteen member colleges and universities participated in the four-week challenge. Over 750 employees ...
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edHEALTH President Tracy Hassett to Join VCIA Board
VCIA is pleased to announce the addition of two new captive professionals to its Board of Directors. Joining the VCIA Board in October 2019, both have been active in the captive industry for years. Tracy Hassett, SPHR, is the President and CEO of edHEALTH, the member-owned healthcare collaborative for 20 colleges, universities, and charter schools. She also is the President and CEO of Educators Health Exchange, edHEALTH's medical stop loss captive. Prior to edHEALTH, Ms. Hassett worked for 17 years at Worcester Polytechnic Institute in a variety of HR roles. She rose through the ranks to Vice President of Human Resources, and was the first person to hold this position. While Ms. Hassett was working at WPI, she joined Boston Consortium higher education finance executives who were looking for a solution to the healthcare cost conundrum. WPI was a founding member ...
Read Full ArticleAugust edHEALTH News
Find out edHEALTH news and insights in the first digital edition of our newsletter. Check out our August Digital Digest!
Read Full ArticleedHEALTH is Beating the Healthcare Cost Curve
edHEALTH is poised for growth. Our healthcare rates are beating the rising healthcare cost curve:Five year average increase is 1.7% compared with the industry average of 8.1%Last year we actually had an average 2.9% decrease in rates!In January 2019, we selected a coast-to-coast healthcare administrator so that we can expand nationally. We’ve added some innovative population health programs to improve quality and control costs. And, we’re expanding our website and social media footprint to improve our communications efforts.
Read Full ArticleNew Benefits Administrator Expands edHEALTH Reach Nationally
edHEALTH is now available throughout the country. For 2019, we entered into an agreement with Trustmark Health Benefits, a national employee benefits company. The company has access to over 60 carrier-owned and provider-sponsored networks. These include Aetna, Cigna, Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield of New York, Anthem Blue Cross of California, and Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Georgia.Trustmark Health Benefits uses a customized approach to determine which networks best meets the needs of new clients. They evaluate network panel scope, how strongly the network and types of care align with the client’s utilization patterns, and financial value. These findings are provided to the new member organization, edHEALTH, and Spring Consulting for final network determination.This same customized approach is used for plan design. Like all member organizations, the school determines its plan type of...
Read Full ArticleTelehealth Offers Convenience for Non-Emergencies, Skin Concerns, and Behavioral Health - Download the App Today
Take Advantage of a Telehealth visit with a credentialed doctor specializing in internal medicine, family practice, pediatrics, dermatology, psychology, or psychiatry. A virtual care visit enables you to see a provider through real-time, Skype-like technology using a smartphone, tablet, or computer that has a microphone and webcam. Benefits include:Immediate access to doctors 24 hours a day, 365 days a yearNo need to travel from work or homeSecure and private two-way video chats with U.S. board-certified doctors and therapistsPrescriptions sent to your drug store, if needed$25 copay/visitConsider taking advantage of telemedicine benefits if you have any of the following non-emergency needs:AllergiesUpper respiratory infectionFluEaracheSkin rashUrinary tract infectionConjunctivitisSinus infectionUpset stomachBehavioral HealthTelehealth behavioral health benefits are confidential and co...
Read Full ArticleGet to Know Cindy Bartelson, edHEALTH’s Operations Whiz
If you’re a current edHEALTH member school, you’ve probably worked with Cindy Bartelson, edHEALTH’s Operations Manager. Cindy is the “go to” person for edHEALTH’s day-to-day activities:Troubleshooting health insurance-related issuesHR employee orientationPlan Design Committee logisticsNew group implementationTwo years ago, Cindy joined edHEALTH. She previously worked for 15 years in the HR Department at member school Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI). Cindy’s skills and experience make her uniquely qualified to running edHEALTH’s operations. She’s especially gratified to help member schools troubleshoot health-insurance related issues. “In HR there are a lot of urgent personnel-related issues,” says Cindy. “The school HR staff appreciates having one less item on their plates. And, through investigating member health insurance issues, I identify and find resolutions for larger conc...
Read Full ArticleNew Population Health Initiative Off to Strong Start
It was a pleasure to meet with all of you to discuss the new edHEALTH population health initiative, KnovaSolutions® Clinical Prevention Service. We’ve already heard from many of you that you want to participate in the program that targets the 5% of your population that comprises over 50% of claim costs. It’s a triple-win solution:1) Potential Reduction in High-Cost ClaimsThe program’s clinical staff provides personalized care for high-risk, high-cost employees and covered dependents. Through phone and secure email, participants receive support for medical decisions. Information, education, and decision support helps decrease unnecessary costs and utilization.2) Improves Healthcare Quality and Employee Satisfaction24/7 access to assistance: Questions about diagnosis, treatments, tests, and medicationsSupport for making lifestyle changesMedication review assistanceWork/life balance sup...
Read Full ArticleAward-Winning Optum Rx Program Effectively Tackles Opioid Abuse
Opioid abuse is a national epidemic: every 13 minutes there is an opioid-related death. Between 2015 and 2016 drug overdoses increased 21%, according to the Centers for Disease Control. Our prescription drug vendor, OptumRx, uses an innovative opioid management program that helps members and patients balance the need for powerful medications with the risk of abuse and misuse. Targeted drugs include Oxycodone, hydrocodone, morphine, hydromorphone, codeine, fentanyl, methadone, tramadol, OxyContin, Percocet, Lorcet, and Vicodin. The program takes a multi-pronged approach to help tackle abuse:Prevention and education: OptumRx provides education to patients and providers about the risks of opioids. Home delivery patients who fill opioid prescriptions through mail order receive education and promotion of proper leftover drug disposal. The drugs our dispensed with label and bottle cap warn...
Read Full Article2019 Annual Meeting
There was lots to celebrate at this year's Annual Meeting: 20 members before 2020; beating healthcare cost trends; financial performance; and $2 million in dividend distributions.Watch our presentation video here
Read Full ArticleNancy McConaghy Named Business Development Executive at edHEALTH
Nancy McConaghy Named Business Development Executive at edHEALTHLong-time Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Account Executive Brings Unique Expertise to the Role NORTHBRIDGE, MA, June 20, 2019 - edHEALTH, the member-owned healthcare purchasing collaborative for colleges, universities, private and charter schools, welcomed Nancy McConaghy, former Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Senior Account Executive, as its Business Development Executive. In this new role, McConaghy will be responsible for membership growth and retention.McConaghy was the account representative for edHEALTH’s Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Administrator and helped to ensure member satisfaction for the colleges, universities, and their employees enrolled in the Harvard Pilgrim health plan option. She served in that capacity since edHEALTH’s inception six years ago. With over 25 years of experience in account management for major ...
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