Winter 2008


From the Chairman:

As we usher in a New Year at Primary PhysicianCare, we are continuing to address the increasing demand for proactive healthcare solutions with enhancements to our disease management and wellness programming.  Our clients who utilize these resources to the fullest are better able to control their healthcare costs as well as positively influence the wellbeing of their workforce. 

If you’re interested in learning more about incorporating these programs in your own health initiatives, we encourage you to attend one of our upcoming Corporate Health and Wellness Summits.  The next one will be held in Charlotte at the end of March 2008.  For more information or to request an invitation, click here.

This edition of Care Management News speaks to some of the key issues affecting healthcare management, such as rising costs and poor health literacy.  You’ll also find a valuable overview of the information requests your employees may receive as we process claims, the benefits of nurse coaches, and tips for making realistic New Year’s resolutions. 

Here’s what’s in this issue:

  • Call Center Corner: Information Requests
  • Washington Watch: U.S. Ranks Low in Health System Performance Despite Increased Spending
  • In the News: New Health Literacy Screening Tool
  • Rx Trends: OTC Zyrtec Available Soon
  • On the Case: Knowing Your Nurse Coach
  • Workplace Wellness:
    Realistic Resolutions
    WCA Publishes 2nd Edition of Wellness From Within Magazine

Please let us know how we can improve our service to you and to your employees.  We look forward to your feedback.

Sincerely,

David R. Tate
Chairman and CEO

 
Primary PhysicanCare Health Systems

Call Center Corner: Information Requests

By: Ryan D. Stewart, Call Center Manager

This month's Call Center Corner provides a brief overview of information requests your employees and their covered dependents will receive from Primary PhysicianCare as we process claims for payment. These letters are fairly standard for all plans that we manage.
 
Washington Watch 

U.S. Ranks Low in Health System Performance

Despite Increased Spending
By: Kay Jones Lewis, Staff Writer


A recent study conducted by researchers at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine ranked the United States lowest among 19 countries for the number of deaths that could have been prevented by access to timely and effective healthcare.  The study, which was supported by the Commonwealth Fund, concluded that 101,000 fewer people would have died in 2006 if the United States had performed as well as the top three countries—France, Japan, and Australia.

 
Healthcare Horizons

In the News: New Health Literacy Screening Tool
By: Lance Phillips, Staff Writer

A patient’s health literacy can be a strong predictor of how likely he or she may be to change unhealthy habits or simply to follow doctor’s orders.  However, getting a grasp on how well a patient understands health terminology can be difficult.  Now a new health literacy screening tool offers a quick assessment through a common sense approach that uses an ice cream label. 

 
Rx Trends

OTC Zyrtec Available Soon

By: Bryan Klazinga, Vice President, Pharmaceutical Services

 

The following excerpt from Express Scripts’ newsletter announces the arrival of OTC Zyrtec, an antihistamine:

 

"The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the second-generation antihistamine Zyrtec® (cetirizine) for nonprescription use. The approved over-the-counter (OTC) indications include treating allergies in adults and children two years of age and older and relieving the itching due to hives in adults and children six years of age and older."
On the Case

Knowing Your Nurse Coach
By: Linda Roochvarg, MD, Medical Director

HT (initials changed to protect privacy) is a 40-year-old man who works at a manufacturing plant.  At a health screening seven years ago, he was found to have a blood pressure of 142/100. Normal is less than 120/80.  His family history indicates several of his close relatives have hypertension, and further evaluation by his primary care doctor confirmed the diagnosis of hypertension in HT. 

Workplace Wellness
Realistic Resolutions
By: Danielle Messick, MS, NCC, LPC

It’s that time of year again, when we feel compelled to take stock of our lives and make a change for the better.  Do you find that you are making the same resolutions year after year?  Sometimes all it takes to trigger change is the decision to make a resolution or set a goal, but usually there are things each of us can do to increase our chances of success.
 

WCA Publishes 2nd Edition of Wellness From Within Magazine

This month, Wellness Coalition America published the second edition of its Wellness From Within magazine. Titled “Train for Life,” this colorful 12-page periodical is packed with timely, educational articles that focus on the best ways to MOVE, FUEL, REST and MAINTAIN your body. 

If you are interested in ordering reprints for your employees,
please contact us at: info@wellnesscoalition.com or
877-903-4726