Baseline Medical

Disease Management Saves Employers More Than Lifestyle Programs Allentown

Early detection of heart disease and stroke means a healthier workforce, and a reduction in both healthcare claims and in gross revenue from lost productivity.

Heart disease kills the most and strokes disable the most.

Many heart attacks and strokes are sudden and come without warning. And when they do many people are in denial and attribute symptoms to something else and never seek medical attention - which can be a problem for everyone.

Employers have come to appreciate what Baseline Medical provides with that early warning which can be detected in a screening event. The results are HIPAA compliant for the individual being screened to ensure privacy so that they will feel secure in taking advantage of the benefits seen in the employee wellness opportunity.

Baseline Medical features a 10 minute non-invasive vascular ultrasound exam of the carotid arteries in the neck to learn about individual's risk for heart disease and stroke. Serious disease can be diagnosed and treated before it is a life-changing health issue.

Report from NY Times: Study Raises Questions About Employer Wellness Programs

If you work for a big employer - or even a small one - you probably have encountered some sort of workplace wellness program. You most likely filled out a health questionnaire, which may have led to a recommendation that you attend exercise classes, quit smoking or participate in telephone coaching to help you control diabetes or asthma.

The programs have become increasingly popular, as companies aim to lower their medical costs and lift productivity by promoting healthier behavior among workers. About half of employers with at least 50 workers offer them, as do 90 percent of employers with more than 50,000 employees, according to a study for the Labor Department by the RAND Corporation, a nonprofit research group. Some companies offer financial perks to employees who participate, like lower health insurance premiums, gift cards or even cash.

But a study by RAND researchers and executives of PepsiCo, published online Monday in the journal Health Affairs, found that programs aimed at helping people with chronic illnesses stay healthy, by educating them and reminding them to take medication, resulted in significant cost savings. But so-called lifestyle management offerings, which aim to reduce health risks through programs focusing on weight loss or stress management, resulted in no net savings at all.