2012 Corporate Wellness Leadership Award Recipients Announced

November 28th, 2012 No comments

The Corporate Health and Wellness Association has released the list of recipients for the 2012 Leadership Award, http://www.corporatewellnessconference.com/cwc-leadership-award.html.

The Corporate Health and Wellness Association (CHWA) in conjunction with the Corporate Wellness Magazine (CWM) has released this year’s list of recipients for the Corporate Wellness Leadership Award.

This award recognizes leaders in the wellness industry for providing an exemplary program or innovation consistent with the vision of the Corporate Health and Wellness Association’s goals. The award also honors individuals whose professional accomplishments embody such qualities that drive the health and wellness industry forward.

The Corporate Wellness Leadership Award was recently presented to these individuals as part of the CHWA and CWM meeting, the 4th Annual Corporate Wellness Conference which was held October 24th – 26th, 2012 at the Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa in Hollywood, FL.

We would like to congratulate the following employer groups and individuals for paving the way in employee health and wellbeing and creating a culture of health within the workplace:

• Stan Sword, VP Total Rewards, Sprint Nextel Corporation
• Sally Luck, HR Director, Corporate Services and Wellness, Hallmark Cards, Inc.
• Jill Zartman, Wellness Coordinator, Premier
• Samanntha DuBridge, Global Benefits Strategy Director, Hewlett-Packard Company
• Andrew Scibelli, Manager Employee Health & Well-being, NextEra Energy, Inc.
• Missy Jarrott, Director, Human Resources, Chatham Steel Corp.
• Brad Wolfsen, President, Safeway Health
• Denise Holland, Director, Employee Healthcare, Hog Slat, Inc.
• Kim Dwyer, Vice President of Benefit Services, Advocate Health Care
• Ralph Lardieri, Wellness Manager, Wawa, Inc.

The recipients of the Corporate Wellness Leadership Award will be featured in the Corporate Wellness Magazine as a leader and will be interviewed as part of a featured piece in the magazine.

To make a nomination for the 2013 Corporate Wellness Leadership Awards please visit, http://www.corporatewellnessconference.com/cwc-leadership-award.html.

The 2013 Corporate Wellness Leadership Awards will be presented to these organizations and/or individuals as part of the CHWA and CWM Annual Meeting held November 2-6th, 2013 in Las Vegas.

About the Corporate Health and Wellness Association

The Corporate Health and Wellness Association, also known as the Health and Wellness Association or the Corporate Wellness Association is the first national non-profit association focused on health, wellness, prevention and disease management for employers, employees and their families, http://wellnessassociation.com/.

About the Corporate Wellness Conference

The Corporate Wellness Conference is the only dedicated corporate wellness and medical wellness conference in the country designed by industry experts to bring you the most up to date and cutting edge methods and techniques to positively effect not only your health plan and reducing healthcare costs but positively influencing employee and plan member’s behaviors in order to obtain healthier outcomes and healthier and more consumer driven employees, http://www.corporatewellnessconference.com/.

For more information please email us at info@WellnessAssociation.com.

 

Thought Leadership Destined to Empower ~ Announcing Key Preliminary Speakers for the 4th Employer Healthcare & Benefits Congress

August 16th, 2012 No comments

The 4th Annual Employer Healthcare & Benefits Congress , www.EmployerHealthcareCongress.com, announces its key speakers for their October 24th – 26th, 2012 event, taking place on the beach in Fort Lauderdale/Miami, Florida. The venue will be the prestigious Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa, located beachfront in tropical Fort Lauderdale/Miami Beach, Florida. The Westin Diplomat is one of the world’s only beachfront convention centers.

The Employer Healthcare & Benefits Congress (EHBC) features four individual conferences that hit to the core of employee health and benefits; the 4th Annual Corporate Wellness Conference, www.CorporateWellnessConference.com,  the 4th Annual Voluntary Benefits Conference, www.VoluntaryBenefitsConference.com, the 3rd Annual National Healthcare Reform Conference, www.HealthcareReformConference.com, and the 3rd Annual Self Funding Employer Healthcare & Workers Compensation Conference, www.SelfFundingConference.com.

With each individual conference the EHBC’s goal is to educate US Employers, Human Resources and Benefits Professionals, Agents, Brokers, Consultants, TPAs and many more. We aim to provide the most up-to-date insight for health plans and benefits and to bring a global perspective, as many companies manage benefit plans for their US based companies and abroad.

This is the first year that the EHBC will be fully integrated with the World Medical Tourism & Global Healthcare Congress (WMTGHC), www.MedicalTourismCongress.com.

By EHBC joining together with the WMTGHC, delegates of the EHBC will be able to sit in on additional sessions. The WMTGHC brings in Global Benefits Directors, Multinational Employers, International and national hospitals, doctors, insurance companies, governments and key industry players within the global healthcare industry.

Some of this year’s EHBC thought leaders destined to employer include:

Secretary Phyllis Borzi
Assistant Secretary
The Employee Benefits Administration

Kevin McCarty
President
National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), Insurance

Dr. BJ Fogg
Founder & Director, Behavior Design Lab
Stanford University

Peter W. Carmel
President
American Medical Association (AMA)

John Casey
Director of International Benefits
Google Inc.

Bernie Knobbe
Sr. Director Global Benefits
Yahoo!

Susan Tufts
Wellness Manager
L.L.Bean, Inc.

Disney Institute
Disney’s Approach to Business Excellence

Sally Luck
HR Director, Corporate Services and Wellness
Hallmark Cards, Inc.

Stan Sword
VP of Total Reward
Sprint Nextel

Breckon Jones
Director of Health & Benefits
American Express

Brad Wolfsen
VP of Strategy
Safeway Inc.

Andrew Scibelli
Manager Employee Health & Well-being
NextEra Energy/FPL

Joy Schramm
Medical Director for Health Promotion Corporate Human Services
Caterpillar, Inc.

Denise Holland
Director, Employee Healthcare
Hog Slat, Inc.

Dr. James Couch
Healthcare Market Sector Team Leader
Informed Opinion Leadership Action Group, LLC

Dr. Dee Edington
Professor, Health Management Research Center
School of Kinesiology, University of Michigan

Scott Clark
Risk & Benefits Officer
Miami Dade County Public Schools

Sheila Thomas
Director Employee Benefits
Denver Broncos

Missy Jarrott
Director of Human Resources
Chatham Steel Corporation

Sandra Morris
US Benefits Design
Procter & Gamble

Ralph Lardierie
Wellness Manager
Wawa, Inc.

Pani Tademeti
HR Manager- Total Compensation
NC Office of State Personnel

Debby Ball
Director of Human Resources
MWI Veterinary Supply Inc.

Dr. P. Mona Khanna
Medical Contributor
FOX Chicago News

Anne Wilde
Principal
The HR & Benefits Advisor, PLLC

Benjamin J. Conley
Attorney, Employee Benefits & Executive Compensation
Seyfarth Shaw LLP

Michelle Hicks
Director
Buck Consultants

Ruth Larkin
President
Life Cycle Benefits

Dr. Ron Leopold
Employee Benefits, Health & Productivity Thought Leader & Speaker
www.RONLEOPOLD.COM

Robert Shestack
Managing Director, National Sales Leader
Marsh US Consumer

Jim Christenson
Field Vice President
Allstate Benefits

Cheryl Larson
Vice President
Midwest Business Group on Health

Warren Benoit
President
Benoit & Associates

Dr. Bruce Rogen
Chief Medical Officer
Cleveland Clinic Employee Health Plan

Torben Nielsen
VP, eBusiness Strategies and Services
The Regence Group

Adam Bosworth
Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer
Keas

For a complete list of speakers confirmed thus far please visit http://www.employerhealthcarecongress.com/2012-speakers.html.  The Employer Healthcare & Benefits Congress is sponsored by the Corporate Wellness Magazine, Voluntary Benefits Magazine, the National Healthcare Reform Magazine and the Self Funding Magazine. For a complete list of sponsors please visit www.EmployerHealthcareCongress.com.

Are you Certifiable? Join the CHWA at the CWC, Oct. 24-26th, On the Beach Ft. Lauderdale/Miami

April 18th, 2012 No comments

The Corporate Health and Wellness Association

http://wellenssassociation.com

is gearing up for one of the most exciting conferences yet! We have a lot to share and I wanted to communicate with each and every one of you about our long awaited certification programs which we have launched!

Are you Certifiable?

The CHWA offers a Certification Program that is aimed at improving your education and providing you with that competitive edge you’ve been looking for. The program is focused on providing transparency, education and communication. The certification requires 8 hours of educational training, followed by an online exam. In addition to these excellent designations you can also earn SPHR and Continuing Education Credits all at the same time!

Below you will find the program listed and link to more information about becoming certified in Corporate Wellness. You will not only be able to boast your designation on your business cards but you will be able to post the Certification Seal on your business networking sites and your website! Also, once you have passed the exam you will receive your certificate of completion via email and you can submit your expenses for reimbursement for this valuable education!

You can Become Certified October 24-26, 2012 On the Beach~ Fort Lauderdale/Miami

Certified Corporate Wellness Specialist™

http://healthcareconference.com/certified-corporate-wellness-specialist.html

The best way to predict your future is to create it!

For more information on how to register for the conference and for the Certified Corporate Wellness Specialist™ visit the following link:

http://www.corporatewellnessconference.com/register.html

Our Agenda says it all

See the rich content that will be covered at the conference.

http://www.corporatewellnessconference.com/agenda.html

Our goal is to give you the most information possible for your unique industry in order to get you the best return on your investment. We are committed to your growth and are excited to be a part of your continuing education and betterment.

Employer Free VIP Pass

Once again we have been able to cover registration to attend our three day event for Employers that are Human Resource and Benefit Managers/Decision Makers for your benefit plans! This Employer Free VIP Pass is a $695 value!

To be considered for the Employer Free VIP Pass and attend the Corporate Wellness Conference visit the following link:

http://employerhealthcarecongress.com/employer-free-vip-pass.html

A complimentary pass will include:
-Access to all four Employer Healthcare & Benefits Congress’s educational sessions, seminars and workshops: Voluntary Benefits & Limited Medical, Corporate Wellness, Self Funding & Workers Compensation, and Healthcare Reform
-Access to the Employer Healthcare & Benefits Congress Exhibit Hall
-Access to the networking software where you can schedule your 16 one-on-one meetings
-Access to the Medical Tourism & Global Benefits Congress Exhibit Hall
-Access to all Medical Tourism & Global Benefits Congress Sessions
For more information about our Certification Programs or our Employer Free VIP Pass email us at
info@corporatewellnessmagazine.com

I look forward to seeing you On the Beach!

Best,

Sarah Michele Hunt
Sarah@CorpoateWellnessMagazine.com
561-204-3676

Become an Educational Underwriter & Thought Leader!

April 3rd, 2012 No comments

The 2012 Employer Healthcare & Benefits Congress, http://www.employerhealthcarecongress.com/, has been immersed with quality and relevant Call for Speaker proposals for the October 24-26th conference, taking place on the beach in Ft. Lauderdale/Miami.

Based on the many number of accepted invitations and researched topics, we have evaluated our agenda and set aside up to 8 exclusive educational sessions for proposals that have been submitted for consideration by service providers in the industry; Corporate Wellness, Voluntary Benefits, Self Funding and Healthcare Reform.

What is a Sponsored Educational Session?

•Coveted spot on the main Congress Agenda, designed to establish your organization as thought leaders, focused on education and insightful content.
•An opportunity unique of its kind; you will have a session on the agenda and it will be promoted with all of the other educational tracks.

Dynamics of a Sponsored Educational Session

•Credibility of being marketed as a speaker at the 2012 event
•Established as an educationally-driven leader in your industry
•Your topic, panel and PowerPoint presentation will be upheld to the Employer Healthcare & Benefits Congress standards defined in the Call for Speakers submissions, however, receive benefits of smart branding that will subtly convey the features of your company and services*

Most importantly, this one-of-a kind opportunity has been created to meet the two most crucial goals for speaking exposure to all key industry leaders; thought leadership and superior branding.

Two sessions are designed to fit specific marketing strategy and goals:

Sponsored Educational Session

•Educational Sponsored Session on the 2012 EHBC Agenda
•Branded as an Educational Underwriter with Sponsor promotions
•Official EHBC logo as an Educational Underwriter for the 2012 Congress to use on your media and press platforms

“Power Session” Showcase Presentation
•Strategic Power Session for a presentation of your choice in a Prime Location of the Exhibit Hall
•Branding as a Sponsor of the 2012 EHBC on Congress Website

As an Educational Underwriter, you also receive additional benefits, including logo visibility, distribution of marketing materials and blogs & press releases on the content of your featured session.

The opportunities are unlimited for the only benefits conference taking place at a beachfront convention center in 2012!

Brand Yourself~Affordable, “Out of the Booth” Sponsorships!
http://www.employerhealthcarecongress.com/sponsors.html

•Welcome Reception Beach Party
•Golf Tournament
•Fishing Tournament
•Morning Beach Boot Camp
•”Rise & Shine” Morning Beach Yoga
•Sand Sculpture Sponsorship ~ No attendee could miss your brand!

And Finally …Introducing for 2012 at the Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa!

•Private Networking Luncheons/Dinner Receptions for Hand Selected Guests
•Offsite Receptions at one of the many exciting venues on South Beach and Greater Ft. Lauderdale Area

Please contact Senior Meeting Manager, Megan Chiarello, for additional information and how you can reserve a Speaking Branding Opportunity or a Private Networking Reception.

Megan@EmployerHealthcareCongress.com
561.792.4418

Employer Healthcare & Benefits Congress Announces Preliminary Key Speakers

March 21st, 2012 No comments

The 4th Annual Employer Healthcare & Benefits Congress, www.EmployerHealthcareCongress.com, announces its key speakers for their October 24th – 26th, 2012 event, taking place on the beach in Fort Lauderdale/Miami, Florida. This year’s venue is the prestigious Westin Diplomat Resort & Spa. This year’s event is expected to bring in up to 2,000 attendees, 140 exhibitors, 100 expert speakers and over 5,000 pre-scheduled networking meetings.

This is the first year that the Employer Healthcare & Benefits congress will be fully integrated with the World Medical Tourism & Global Healthcare Congress, www.MedicalTourismCongress.com.  The Employer Healthcare & Benefits Congress will still feature our four individual conferences that hit to the core of employee health and benefits; the 4th Annual Corporate Wellness Conference, www.CorporateWellnessConference.com,  the 4th Annual Voluntary Benefits Conference, www.VoluntaryBenefitsConference.com, the 3rd Annual National Healthcare Reform Conference, www.HealthcareReformConference.com, and the 3rd Annual Self Funding Employer Healthcare & Workers Compensation Conference, www.SelfFundingConference.com.

With each individual conference the Employer Healthcare and Benefits Congress’ goal is to educate US Employers, Human Resources and Benefits Professionals, Agents, Brokers, Consultants, TPAs and many more. We aim to provide the most up-to-date insight for health plans and benefits and to bring a global perspective, as many companies manage benefit plans for their US based companies and abroad.

By the Employer Healthcare & Benefits Congress (EHBC) joining together with the World Medical Tourism & Global Healthcare Congress (WMTGHC), delegates of the EHBC will be able to sit in on additional sessions. The WMTGHC brings in Global Benefits Directors, Multinational Employers, International and National hospitals, doctors, insurance companies, governments & key industry players within the Global healthcare industry.

Some of the key speakers are:

Kevin McCarty
President
National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), Insurance

Peter W. Carmel
President
American Medical Association (AMA)

Patrick Geraghty
Chief Executive Officer
Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida

Dr. P. Mona Khanna
Medical Contributor
FOX Chicago News

John Casey
Director of International Benefits
Google Inc.

Disney Institute
Disney’s Approach to Business Excellence

Sally Luck
HR Director, Corporate Services and Wellness
Hallmark Cards, Inc.

Stan Sword
VP of Total Reward
Sprint Nextel

Breckon Jones
Director of Health & Benefits
American Express

Brad Wolfsen
VP of Strategy
Safeway Inc.

Andrew Scibelli
Manager Employee Health & Well-being
NextEra Energy/FPL

Joy Schramm
Medical Director for Health Promotion Corporate Human Services
Caterpillar, Inc.

Dr. Bruce Rogen
Chief Medical Officer
Cleveland Clinic Employee Health Plan

Torben Nielsen
VP, eBusiness Strategies and Services
The Regence Group

Adam Bosworth
Co-Founder and Chief Technology Officer
Keas

For a complete list of speakers confirmed thus far please visit http://www.employerhealthcarecongress.com/2012-speakers.html.  The Employer Healthcare & Benefits Congress is sponsored by the Corporate Wellness Magazine, Voluntary Benefits Magazine, the National Healthcare Reform Magazine and the Self Funding Magazine. For a complete list of sponsors please visit www.EmployerHealthcareCongress.com.

Corporate Wellness Magazine- Issue 32 ~ Check it out today!

March 8th, 2012 No comments

Don’t miss issue #32 of the Corporate Wellness Magazine, released the beginning of March, http://www.CorporateWellnessMagazine.com.  This is the only magazine dedicated strictly to employee health, wellness, prevention and disease management. This issue features articles including 5 new emerging trends shaping wellness in the workplace, tips on how to boost engagement through technology and much more!

Read the 32nd issue of the monthly magazine dedicated exclusively to corporate wellness, health promotion and prevention at

http://www.CorporateWellnessMagazine.com.

The 32nd issue of Corporate Wellness Magazine features an article by Tom Abshire, which takes a look at how game mechanics can transform employee health. Greg Justice gives readers the inside scoop on to how take a company wellness program from average to extraordinary in only 3 months!

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Corporate Wellness Magazine is also the official sponsor of the 4th Annual Corporate Wellness Conference, http://www.CorporateWellnessConference.com, which will take place October 26-28th, 2012 in Ft. Lauderdale/Miami Beach.  It is the only national corporate wellness conference to take place in the U.S.  The Corporate Wellness Conference is aimed at employers, insurance companies and health insurance agents who have either implemented corporate wellness plans or are interested in implementing corporate wellness plans.

The Corporate Wellness Magazine was created as the main source of information where employers, consultants and health insurance agents can learn about corporate wellness.  CWM provides a central point of communication for an emerging multi-billion dollar industry that is extremely underserved and does not get the attention it deserves.  Hundreds of companies provide either insurance products or vendor services and solutions in this corporate wellness industry, and yet there is not a single dedicated magazine or conference for this industry.

The Corporate Wellness Magazine promises to provide readers with the most cutting edge advice and expertise, written by experts actively involved in the corporate wellness industry and who will give readers practical advice.

For more information please contact:

Dan Alexander

Assistant Editor

Benefits Live Magazine

DAlexander@BenefitsLiveMagazine.com

 

 

Ten Percent More Employees Worried About Weight as Top Wellness Concern in 2012

February 28th, 2012 No comments

CHICAGO–(EON: Enhanced Online News)–Some 43 percent of employees said weight loss was their top health concern this year, a 10 percent increase over 2011, according to a Tell It NowSM poll released today by ComPsych Corporation. In the same poll, 20 percent of employees said exercise was their main health issue. ComPsych is the world’s largest provider of employee assistance programs and is the pioneer and leading provider of fully integrated EAP, behavioral health, wellness, work-life, HR and FMLA administration services under the GuidanceResources brand.

“These programs, such as ComPsych HealthyGuidance, can holistically address weight, stress and other health issues, resulting in improved productivity and lower health and disability costs”
.“As individuals continue to grapple with weight problems, it’s no shock that weight management is again the top issue this year,” said Dr. Richard A. Chaifetz, Chairman and CEO of ComPsych.

“With the impact that obesity and weight issues have on corporate health care costs, more and more employers are providing comprehensive wellness programs,” he added. “These programs, such as ComPsych HealthyGuidance, can holistically address weight, stress and other health issues, resulting in improved productivity and lower health and disability costs,” he added.

Employees were asked: Which health issue are you most trying to stay ahead of this year?

43 percent said “weight loss”

20 percent said “exercise”

18 percent said “stress”

10 percent said “diet improvement”

5 percent said “quitting smoking”

1 percent said “other”

To see full press release, go here: http://bit.ly/xOivpE

ComPsych’s build-to-suit health and wellness program – HealthyGuidance® — targets employee behavior and lifestyle issues before they become significant illnesses. Drawing upon more than 25 years of behavioral health experience, HealthyGuidance uses a consultative, high-touch approach, empowering employees to make healthy lifestyle changes through expert guidance.

About ComPsych

ComPsych® Corporation is the world’s largest provider of employee assistance programs (EAP) and is the pioneer and worldwide leader of fully integrated EAP, behavioral health, wellness, work-life, HR and FMLA administration services under the GuidanceResources® brand. ComPsych provides services to more than 15,000 organizations covering more than 40 million individuals throughout the U.S. and over 100 countries. By creating “Build-to-Suit” programs, ComPsych helps employers attract and retain employees, increase employee productivity and improve overall health and well-being. Follow us on Twitter: http://twitter.com/ComPsych.

Corporate Wellness Magazine- Issue 31 Now Available ~ Check it out today!

February 24th, 2012 No comments

Issue #31 of the Corporate Wellness Magazine has been released today, February 8, 2012, http://www.CorporateWellnessMagazine.com.  This is the only magazine dedicated strictly to employee health, wellness, prevention and disease management. This issue features articles including tips to boost energy, information on how to revolutionize your corporate wellness program, medical self-care and much more!

Read the 31st issue of the monthly magazine dedicated exclusively to corporate wellness, health promotion and prevention at www.CorporateWellnessMagazine.com.

The 31st issue of Corporate Wellness Magazine features an article by Kathy Gruver with helpful and healthy strategies to crank energy levels naturally. Dr. Steven F. Hotze gives employers a thorough breakdown on preventive healthcare measures in this “A Revolutionary Approach to Corporate Wellness” piece.

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Corporate Wellness Magazine is also the official sponsor of the 4th Annual Corporate Wellness Conference, www.CorporateWellnessConference.com, which will take place October 26-28th, 2012 in Ft. Lauderdale/Miami Beach. It is the only national corporate wellness conference to take place in the U.S. The Corporate Wellness Conference is aimed at employers, insurance companies and health insurance agents who have either implemented corporate wellness plans or are interested in implementing corporate wellness plans.

The Corporate Wellness Magazine was created as the main source of information where employers, consultants and health insurance agents can learn about corporate wellness.  CWM provides a central point of communication for an emerging multi-billion dollar industry that is extremely underserved and does not get the attention it deserves. Hundreds of companies provide either insurance products or vendor services and solutions in this corporate wellness industry, and yet there is not a single dedicated magazine or conference for this industry.

The Corporate Wellness Magazine promises to provide readers with the most cutting edge advice and expertise, written by experts actively involved in the corporate wellness industry and who will give readers practical advice.

For More information please contact us at info@CorporateWellnessMagazine.com or 561-204-3676.

Accuray Receives Outstanding Innovative Improvement Award for its CyberKnife System

January 6th, 2012 No comments

Award Recognizes CyberKnife Benefits for Employees and Employers

SUNNYVALE, Calif., November 30, 2011 – Accuray Incorporated (Nasdaq: ARAY), the premier radiation oncology company, today announced that the company received the Outstanding Innovative Improvement Award for its CyberKnife® Robotic Radiosurgery System at the 3rd Annual Employer Healthcare Congress, which took place October 25 – 28, 2011 in Chicago.

The award was presented to Accuray in recognition of the fact that patients treated with the CyberKnife System are able to complete treatment in five days or less, compared to radiation therapy treatments, which typically require up to 40 treatment sessions. This significant reduction in the number of daily treatments helps patients get back to work faster, benefitting employees and employers alike. The CyberKnife System targets tumors anywhere in the body and delivers high doses of radiation with pinpoint accuracy. Unlike any other radiation delivery system, the CyberKnife System tracks and adjusts treatment delivery to compensate for tumor motion, including respiration.

“Treatment with the CyberKnife System is typically completed in five or fewer outpatient sessions, compared to the six weeks of daily treatments typical with conventional radiation. Fewer daily treatments allow the employee to get back to their normal schedule, including work, resulting in less stress for the employee and a more efficient workplace for the employer,” said Jonathan Edelheit, president of the Employer Healthcare Congress. “Accuray has made a tremendous effort to ensure that employees are aware of the full range of options so they can make an informed treatment decision. We wanted to recognize Accuray’s innovative technology, as well as its education efforts with this award.”

The Employer Healthcare Congress is among the largest healthcare conferences in the United States. One of the major highlights of the conference is the Leadership Awards given for both excellence in Corporate Wellness and Voluntary Benefits. The Outstanding Innovative Improvement Award honors a company that not only has brought a healthy innovation to employees, but also a cutting-edge approach to changing the way we deal with chronic illness and critical care, all while helping employers reduce healthcare costs.

“Accuray is honored to receive this award from the Employer Healthcare Congress recognizing the advantages that the CyberKnife System offers not only to employees, but employers as well,” said Euan S. Thomson, Ph.D., president and chief executive officer of Accuray. “This award reaffirms our commitment to developing personalized, leading-edge treatment solutions that help cancer patients live longer, better lives. This means not only treating their tumors, but also helping them return to their normal lives as soon as possible.”

About Accuray
Accuray Incorporated (Nasdaq: ARAY), based in Sunnyvale, Calif., is the premier radiation oncology company that develops, manufactures and sells personalized innovative treatment solutions that set the standard of care, with the aim of helping patients live longer, better lives. The Company’s leading edge technologies – the CyberKnife and TomoTherapy Systems – are designed to deliver radiosurgery, stereotactic body radiation therapy, intensity modulated radiation therapy, image guided radiation therapy, and adaptive radiation therapy. To date, more than 200,000 patients worldwide have been treated using the Company’s technologies and more than 598 systems have been installed in leading hospitals around the world. For more information, please visit www.accuray.com.

Safe Harbor Statement 
The foregoing may contain certain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including uncertainties associated with the medical device industry. Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters set forth in this press release, including statements relating to patient experience and employee & employer benefits are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date the statements are made and are based on information available at the time those statements are made and/or management’s good faith belief as of that time with respect to future events. You should not put undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual performance and results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements we make include: clinical effectiveness, range of treatment options, clinical applications, and market acceptance of products and other risks detailed from time to time under the heading “Risk Factors” in our report on Form 10-K for our 2011 fiscal year, our form 10-Q filed on November 8, 2011 and our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company’s actual results of operations may differ significantly from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements as a result of these and other factors. We assume no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect actual performance or results, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting forward-looking information, except to the extent required by applicable securities laws.

# # #

Contacts: Rebecca Phillips Helen Shik
Public Relations Manager, Accuray Schwartz MSL
+1 (408) 716-4773 +1 (781) 684-0770
rphillips@accuray.com Accuray@schwartzmsl.com

Stepping Beyond Wellness, Multiemployer and Public Employer Plans Look To Value-Based Health Care

December 8th, 2011 No comments

Brookfield, Wisconsin—With an eye on both their employees’ health and their bottom line, multiemployer and public employer plans are rapidly embracing a new trend—value-based health care (VBHC). This outcome-driven, consumer-centered approach focuses not on the dollars being spent, but on how the dollars being spent can improve employees’ health. It also stresses the importance of keeping healthy employees healthy.

A new survey released by the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans finds that in the last year, the number of multiemployer and public employer plans that consider their health and wellness offerings to be a part of a broader VBHC strategy more than doubled from 16% to 37%.

“As employers strive to reduce their health care costs there has been an increasing interest in value-based health care,” reported Sally Natchek, Senior Research Director at the International Foundation. “The majority of organizations we surveyed are just beginning to take steps to provide the highest quality of health care for their dollars.”

When asked their current status regarding value-based health care, 15% of health care plans report they have just begun VBHC efforts and 23% say they have scattered initiatives. Just 3% state they have achieved a culture of health by integrating and evaluating their programs as part of an advanced VBHC strategy.

Similar to 2010, the number of health plans offering wellness initiatives remains strong at about three in five (63%), with public employers more likely to support these programs. The most prevalent initiatives are health screenings (76%), flu shots (75%), smoking-cessation programs (64%) and health risk assessments (59%). Many also offer fitness or nutrition programs such as weight loss support (34%), wellness competitions (31%) and nutrition counseling (27%).

Half of the health care plans surveyed report the utilization of a disease management program—and those offering wellness initiatives are more than twice as likely to offer these programs. The two most frequently targeted conditions for disease management—diabetes (88%) and heart disease (77%)—are also cited as the conditions having the most impact on productivity and health care costs. Obesity, currently targeted by 43% of organizations, is the top concern that health plans aim to address in the future.

Many organizations do not have strategies in place to educate workers on taking responsibility for their own health. Under half, 44%, make price information on prescription drugs available, 21% provide information on the cost of hospital services and 17% on the cost of physicians services. Even fewer provide information on the quality and safety of hospitals, and the quality of physicians (15% and 12%, respectively).

“Ideally a value-based health care strategy encourages each worker to take primary responsibility for their personal health and to be a wise consumer of health care services. To accomplish this goal, organizations need to focus on educating participants—stepping up both communication and education efforts,” explained Natchek.

Organizations report the main barriers to incorporating VHBC are participants’ lack of understanding and insufficient time to participate, in combination with the dispersion of their worker populations. Even with these barriers however, close to half of the plans surveyed (45%) are likely or very likely to increase their emphasis on VBHC in the future.

Survey responses were received from 543 International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans and International Society of Certified Employee Benefits Specialist (ISCEBS) members. The survey is part of an ongoing, multi-step initiative to provide practical ways for multiemployer and public employer plans to integrate VBHC strategies. The initiative is funded in part by a grant from Pfizer Inc. For more information, visit www.ifebp.org/valuebasedhealthcare.

The full report, Value-Based Health Care Second Annual Benchmarking Survey: Multiemployer and Public Employer Plans, is available free to International Foundation and ISCEBS members. Nonmembers can purchase the e-book for $50, a price that includes the 2010 survey as well as focus groups findings and an upcoming white paper. Visit www.ifebp.org/books.asp?7044K.

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The International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans is a non-profit organization, dedicated to being a leading objective and independent global source of employee benefits, compensation, and financial literacy education and information. For additional information, visit www.ifebp.org.

Pfizer applies its science and global resources to improve health and well-being at every stage of life. Consistent with Pfizer’s responsibility as the world’s leading biopharmaceutical company, Pfizer also collaborates with health care providers, governments and local communities to support and expand access to reliable, affordable health care around the world. For more than 150 years, Pfizer has worked to make a difference for all who rely on the company. For additional information, visit www.pfizer.com.

*Note—A complimentary copy of the full report is available to credentialed media upon request.

Contact:
Brenda Hofmann
Public Relations Associate
International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans
18700 W. Bluemound Road
Brookfield, WI 53045
(262) 373-7756 | (262) 786-8670 Fax
brendah@ifebp.org | www.ifebp.org