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

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

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.

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

http://www.CorporateWellnessMagazine.com.

The 32^nd 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

“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.

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.

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

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

The amendment, called an “extended liability endorsement,” is included in all new and renewal OptumHealth® stop loss contracts that take effect on or after January 1, 2012, subject to state approval. OptumHealth has received approval in twenty states to date, with more state approvals expected to follow.

Beginning in 2012, PPACA allows individuals whose claim is denied by a health plan through its internal claims review process to appeal to an independent review organization (IRO). A claim that is initially denied may eventually have to be paid by the health plan if the IRO overturns the denial.

Typically with most stop loss contracts, claims paid outside the time frame set out in the contract are not eligible for reimbursement. Under this new appeal process, however, payment on an overturned denial may be made months later, even beyond the benefit period in the stop loss contract. In such cases, OptumHealth will extend the paid date in the contract by up to 12 months.

“Many of our third party administrator clients have expressed concern about employers’ potential liability as a result of the new claims appeal process, said Scott Avery, stop loss product director of OptumHealth. “With our new policy endorsement, OptumHealth is helping self-insured employers to maintain their high quality stop loss protection while minimizing potential gaps in coverage.”

There are an estimated 1.3 external appeals for every 10,000 plan participants, and there will be approximately 2,600 external appeals in 2011, according to the US Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor, and the Treasury.

On average, about 40 percent of denials are reversed on external appeal, with the amount per reversed claim averaging $12,400. According to the government, $13.4 million in additional claims will be reversed by the external review process in 2011, increasing to $33.1 million in 2013.

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Chicago, Ill.- The Congress, partially integrated with the Medical Tourism Association, successfully connected employers and attendees, while presenting hot topic presentations and sessions from leaders in the industry.
Leaders in the industry were able to connect with top healthcare providers from around the world, attend more than 50 sessions focused on Insurance and Employer Healthcare, streamline and implement international healthcare options, walk the Exhibit Hall, and have full access to all the Medical Tourism Association sessions and exhibit halls throughout the entire event.

European Cross Border Healthcare was a hot topic of conversation as Bernard Merkel, head of the Food Safety, Health and Consumer Affairs section of the Delegation of European Union/Commission, presented on strategies related to the opportunities hospitals and governments have to invest in their healthcare infrastructure.
Bill Rancic, the first winner of NBC’s “The Apprentice,” opened the sessions on Thursday with a presentation on entrepreneurial practices, while Cecil Wilson, the 165th President of the American Medical Association, presented on the future of healthcare and healthcare Reform in the United States. John Casey, the Director of International Benefits for Google, Inc., gave insight into how to create the “healthiest employee in the world.” Rounding out the keynote speakers were President of Twist Image Mitch Joel, who presented the importance of marketing in social media in the workplace; and, Dr. Robert Rey, specialist in minimal scar plastic surgery, focused primarily on the importance of working with charities and building an international surgical practice.
The Employer Healthcare Congress looks forward to its 4th annual conference, which will take place in Fort Lauderdale/Miami, Florida on October 24-26th, 2012, at the five star Westin Diplomat Resort on the beach.

http://www.employerhealthcarecongress.com