Posted on 13. May, 2009 by admin in Press Releases
PDF version from Forbes.com
Media Contact:
CPR for Center for Health Value Innovation
Jim Stroh; 201.641.1911 x18; Jstroh@cpronline.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Michael Taylor MD FACP, Chairman of Center for Health Value Innovation, Lauds Consumer Engagement and Support for Wellness Programs
ST. LOUIS, Mo. – May 13, 2009 –The Center for Health Value Innovation, (www.vbhealth.org), the nation’s premier organization dedicated to establishing value and producing evidence for sustainable health and financial improvement, cites the importance of co-pay incentives in fostering consumer engagement to improve employee behaviors, reduce the cost trend, and accelerate positive outcomes. Mike Taylor, M.D., FACP, medical director of health promotion at Caterpillar Inc. and chairman of the Center, points to the successes documented by members of the Center including commercial payers, private sector employers, municipalities, health systems, and provider organizations.
“Employers look to Washington for revisions that will enable them to adopt wellness programs and effectively reward wellness performance,” says Dr. Taylor. “These may include eliminating the 20 percent cap on such rewards, removing the tax to employees – which adds a dollar burden where they least need it– and easing the accommodation rule which can diminish the effect of population health rewards. These changes will help employers engage their populations in improved health management.”
Taylor says that an increasing number of businesses are using the Center’s principles of ‘Data, Design, Delivery, and Dividend’ to reap the rewards of engagement, lowered health cost trend, improved productivity and quality of care.
“With the alignment of stakeholders, increased provider participation in incentive-based designs, and public and private support for wellness initiatives, the Center anticipates an uptake in the emergence of value-based product offerings,” says Dr. Taylor. “The Center applauds the general direction of all these discussions that are emphasizing the importance of health and wellness. Personalized benefits designs along with wellness incentives are proven to improve consumer health.”
Jack Mahoney, M.D., chief medical officer of the Center, adds, “As we experience the first tremors of what will be a massive shift in health care in this country, the pioneering leaders at the Center, like Mike Taylor, are ready to share their collective experiences and wisdom in driving the value of health dollars.”
About The Center for Health Value Innovation:
Information exchange for value-based design
Launched in 2007, The Center for Health Value Innovation is a multi-stakeholder not-for-profit (501c3) alliance focused on employers that drives the financial value of health dollars. www.vbhealth.org <http://www.vbhealth.org> .
Tags: chairman, engagement, Family doctors, Michael, Mike, prevention, Taylor
