|
Delaware Employers Can Enrich Their Health Benefits Without Adding Substantial Costs Through New Complementary Health Care Coverages
Expanded Availability of Coverage for Alternative Medical Care Helps Employers Meet Growing Demand for Specialty Care San Diego, CA (September 15 , 2004) – American Specialty Health (ASH), the nation’‘s largest complementary health care organization, is debuting a new health benefits option that lets Delaware employers with 51 or more employees offer low-cost insurance coverage for alternative medical care. This makes popular treatments such as acupuncture, massage therapy, dietetic counseling, and chiropractic/manual manipulation more accessible and affordable for their employees. Employers are able to purchase these benefits as a supplemental group benefit rider, similar to purchasing vision, dental, or behavioral health coverage. The benefits are offered by American Specialty Health Insurance Company (ASH Insurance), a subsidiary of ASH, and are available for both in-state and out-of-state employees.
"Many employers today do not have access to alternative coverage through their traditional health plan," said George DeVries, president and CEO of ASH. "Complementary health care is highly used and valued by members. According to recent studies, complementary health benefits are one of the few programs employers are continuing to add to their health benefit packages as traditional health care coverages become less affordable."
Robert Stryker, DC, a local chiropractor with offices in Newark and Willmington, says the availability of direct purchase complementary health care coverage is of increasing importance to patients.
"Studies show that roughly half of all Americans use some form of complementary health care each year," said Dr. Stryker. "The key reasons are that these alternative therapies offer broader treatment options for patients, especially those who suffer with chronic conditions like neck or back pain. Additionally, chronically ill patients seek alternative care, such as chiropractic treatment, because traditional medicine hasn’t resolved their health problems."
ASH Insurance offers a broad range of benefit options, combinations, and plans for employers and their employees. Employees covered by ASH Insurance have access to a national provider network of more than 22,000 contracted acupuncturists, chiropractors, dietitians, massage therapists, medical doctors, and osteopathic physicians. In many cases, ASH Insurance may also cover employees residing in other states.
ASH is the nation’’s leading specialty benefits organization for complementary health care, providing health benefit, health education, and affinity network programs to employer groups, trust funds, health plans, and insurance carriers nationwide. Based in San Diego, California, ASH has over 500 employees and more than 9 million members in benefit programs nationwide. Its subsidiary, ASH Insurance, is currently licensed or admitted as an insurer in 42 states and the District of Columbia. For more information about American Specialty Health, visit ASHCompanies.com.
|