Health Insurance Daily

Health Coaches Help One Employer Cut Medical Bills

Eastman Chemical Company significantly reduced its medical bills through a program that helps newly diagnosed patients weigh treatment options.

Medical decision support, provided by Consumer's Medical Resource, helps patients understand treatment options and choose what's best for them, unlike disease management, which typically helps with follow-ups and treatment compliance after treatment begins.

Eastman, based in Kingsport, Tenn., estimates that it saved $415,000 with the program last year. That means it saved $3.30 for every $1 it spent on the program, according to David Sensibaugh, director of integrated health.

Sensibaugh recalls, for example, one cancer patient who decided on laparoscopic surgery that was less invasive, cost less and provided a quicker return to work, compared to other treatments. Another patient with heart disease opted for a coronary stent insertion rather than open-heart surgery, with similar results.

Health coaching typically leads to 20% to 40% fewer surgeries, 20% to 30% fewer doctor visits and 20% to 30% fewer hospital admissions, according to Mary Jane Favazza, senior vice president of service delivery at Health Dialog. That could represent significant cost savings for employers and patients.

Article can be viewed in its entirety at BenefitsNews.com.

posted by Mike @ 8:35 AM