National Business Group on Health Names American Specialty Health One of Nation’s Leading Employers Promoting Healthy Lifestyles for Its Employees
SAN DIEGO (June 25, 2009) –
American Specialty Health (ASH), a national health and wellness company, has been honored with a Gold award by the National Business Group on Health as one of the nation's leading corporations providing innovative programs that promote a healthy workplace. ASH not only designs and offers workplace wellness programs to employer groups across the nation, but implements those programs within its own organization.
ASH was among 63 employers that received a Best Employers for Healthy Lifestyles award at the Joint Summit of the Institutes on Health Care Costs and Solutions & the Costs and Health Effects of Obesity. ASH received a Gold Award for the wellness and population health management programs that it offers to its employees. This is ASH's second consecutive Gold Award from the National Business Group on Health.
"We are pleased that the National Business Group on Health has again recognized our wellness solutions and our ongoing commitment to employee health improvement," said ASH CEO and chairman George DeVries. "Our mission-to empower individuals to live healthier and longer lives-is carried out not only through the health improvement programs we provide to our clients, but through the programs we champion for our employees.
Some of ASH's clients are also NBGH award winners including Aetna, CIGNA, Cummins, and Humana.
"As one of 63 companies recognized this year for their employee health and wellness programs, ASH is at the vanguard of a national movement to promote a system-wide culture of health emphasizing prevention, exercise, and eating right," said Helen Darling, President of the National Business Group on Health. "More than ever, a healthy workforce is critical to helping America's large employers compete in the global marketplace. American Specialty Health is to be applauded for making health and wellness an integral part of their workplace."
ASH's Healthyroads employee health and wellness programs include telephone health coaching for weight management, tobacco cessation, stress management, and healthy living. ASH also offers its employees complementary health care benefits such as chiropractic, acupuncture, massage therapy, and dietetic counseling.
The Healthyroads wellness program offerings also include their proprietary "How to Build a Fit Company™" program of worksite fitness, nutrition, and healthy living challenges; onsite health education programs; an integrated wellness Web site and wireless technology that helps employees monitor their progress and stay motivated; and incentive programs that include cash and other awards for healthy living. ASH's corporate headquarters also provides its employees with discounted healthy food and beverage snacks in its vending machines, and an onsite store with discounted health products.
Now in its fifth year, the Best Employers for Healthy Lifestyles awards recognize those employers that have truly embraced a culture of wellness and are working collaboratively to improve their workers' health, productivity and quality of life. The underlying goal of the program is to serve as a catalyst to encourage all employers to take action.
Winners of the Best Employers for Healthy Lifestyles awards were honored in one of three categories: Platinum, for established programs with measurable outcomes; Gold, for creating cultural and environmental changes that support employees who have made a commitment to long-term behavior changes; and Silver, for those employers who have launched significant programs or services to promote living a healthier lifestyle.
About American Specialty Health
American Specialty Health Incorporated (ASH) provides population health management programs including wellness and prevention, fitness and exercise, and specialty network management services to health plans, insurance carriers, employer groups, and trust funds. Based in San Diego, ASH has more than 700 employees and covers over 15 million members.
For more information about ASH health and wellness programs, visit www.ASHCompanies.com or call 800.848.3555.
About the National Business Group on Health
The National Business Group on Health is the nation's only non-profit, membership organization of large employers—including 60 of the Fortune 100—devoted exclusively to finding innovative and forward-thinking solutions to their most important health care and related benefits issues. The NBGH identifies and shares best practices in health benefits, disability, health and productivity, related paid time off and work/life balance issues. NBGH members provide health coverage for more than 50 million U.S. workers, retirees and their families. For more information about the NBGH, visit
- www.businessgrouphealth.org