Wal-Mart Expands Discount Drug Program
Wal-Mart Stores announced that it would expand its discounted prescription drug program to offer 90-day supplies for $10. What's more, the company said it would lower the price of more than 1,000 over-the-counter drugs.
The giant retailer is in the third phase of a program that started in 2006 to provide a 30-day supply of generic prescription drugs for $4. Wal-Mart also said the program had saved customers more than $1 billion, reports the New York Times.
Information provided by Employee Benefit News, 5-8-2008.
Cancer Remains Top Cause For Long-Term Disability Claims
The American Cancer Society reports the number of cancer survivors in the United States has increased four-fold in the last 30 years, and prevalence of cancer is expected to double by 2030. Consequently, for the seventh consecutive year, cancer is the leading reason for long-term disability absence in 2007, found Unum, a provider of group disability insurance.
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long-term disability.
Power To The Patient
If rising rates of diabetes are any indication, this country is getting sicker.
In 2005, the Centers for Disease Control reported that nearly 21 million Americans were afflicted with diabetes. That was an increase of 2.6 million from 2002, making the disease -- a leading cause of blindness, kidney disease, heart attacks and strokes -- the sixth-highest cause of death in America.
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Coaching.
Dos and Don'ts of Health Coaching
Health coaching is an important aspect of any health-promotion program. Done well, it will be a catalyst for a healthier and more productive workforce.
What is health coaching? It is the process of support, guidance and encouragement for helping people make and sustain health improvements in their lives. When offered as a part of a health-benefits package, the biggest challenge is getting employees engaged and keeping them engaged over time.
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Health Coaching.
Designing Pharmacy Benefits To Reduce Disease And Cut Costs
In today's era of enormously expensive research and development, approval and marketing processes for drug companies, upwardly spiraling prescription prices are as certain as death and taxes, while the pressure to control expenses on the provider side is a fact of life that largely defines the reach and rationale of drug benefit plans.
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Pharmacy Benefits.
A Show of Support
Work-site support groups for certain health conditions can make employees feel valued, bolster morale and even improve employee retention, say some of the companies that sponsor them. Those employers believe in their value, but their use is not widespread—probably because there’s little hard evidence to show that they lower health care costs.
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Work-Site Support Groups.
Want To Reduce Sick Days By An Average Of 41%? The Solution Is Easy. Just Walk.
The average white-collar employee moves a mere 3,500 steps per day – only slightly over one mile. Experts recommend a minimum of 10,000 steps or 3.2 miles of walking and moving per day.
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Just Walk.
