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Complementary Health Care Benefits By George DeVries, President and CEO, American Specialty Health, Incorporated Lockton Benefit News (June, 2003) -- Ask any consumer if he or she uses some form of complementary health care, and the majority will answer with a resounding "yes." Now ask employers if they offer complementary health care programs as part of their benefits package. Although there will definitely be some "yes's" among them, there are still many employers who have not realized the value these programs can bring to the health of their employees as well as to their bottom line. The employers who recognize this growing area of health care are responding with benefit packages that address the rise in consumer demand. Complementary health care may no longer be a trend, but an essential part of an individual's personal health care. In addition to popular complementary health care services such as chiropractic, acupuncture, and massage therapy, telephone and Web-based health education programs are becoming the next up-and-coming method of helping individuals take better care of themselves. Once limited to "Ask the Nurse" advice lines in traditional medical plans, telephone and Web-based education programs are now making inroads in complementary health care as a convenient, efficacious, and low-cost option. With obesity and chronic diseases at all-time high levels among Americans, many employers are seeking low-cost ways to decrease health care expenditures yet help their employees improve their health and fitness. Compelling evidence shows that a sizable portion of the billions of dollars spent by employers on health care costs is preventable by means of health education. Often telephone-based consultations–in conjunction with printed materials and the Internet–are proven to be an affordable and successful medium for disseminating this type of information. Weight Management
Consider weight management. Obesity is the root of approximately $117 billion spent by Americans each year in direct and indirect healthcare costs, according to a 2001 report by the Surgeon General. It can lead to chronic or even fatal illnesses, such as heat disease, type 2 diabetes, and stroke. Fad diets don't work. Diet changes without exercise or physical activity are often doomed as well. Successful treatment requires substantial lifestyle changes with programs that provide an integrated approach. Effective weight management requires the integration of good nutrition, exercise, and education. It also requires follow-up and accountability. Some studies have shown that frequent telephone contacts between a health educator and a client is a valuable strategy for weight maintenance. Nutrition Education
Nutrition education is another area that is effectively delivered through telephone and Web-based support. The effectiveness of nutrition counseling is well-established within the health community for aiding in disease prevention and health promotion. Similar to weight management and tobacco cessation, telephone-based nutrition education programs provide an excellent venue for one-on-one support. The positive clinical outcomes and cost savings produced by nutrition education are widely studied and reported. For example: - Cardiovascular Disease
Nutrition interventions have consistently proven to reduce cholesterol and the risk of cardiac disease. In a study in the Journal of the American Dietetics Association in 2000, one nutrition intervention produced an estimated $1300 per patient savings by lowering cholesterol, translating into a 9:1 return on investment.
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