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Thursday, March 1, 2007

In past issues of the UnionWize, we've discussed disease management programs and how they work. If you recall, a disease management program can be defined as:

A prospective, disease-specific approach to improving health care outcomes by
providing education to beneficiaries through non-physician practitioners who
specialize in targeted diseases.

The Board of Trustees of the UFCW Unions and Employers Health & Welfare Plan of Central Ohio ("the Plan") has been learning about disease management programs as well. Over the past few months, the Trustees have reviewed and analyzed several different disease management programs to determine if they might be able to provide some additional benefit to you, the Plan's Participants. After completing their review process, the Trustees truly believe that a disease management program could have a positive impact on each and every one of the Plan's Participants' lives and have decided to move forward with making it happen.

The Board of Trustees cares about your health and well-being. That is why, effective March 1, 2007, they are introducing the Partners in Better Health program, a new two-pronged benefit that helps Plan Participants and their family members manage their health more effectively. The Partners in Better Health program will be administered by Matria Healthcare. Matria is the nation's leading health enhancement company.

The Partners in Better Health program provides a website that can help answer questions about health issues that may be affecting you. The website address is:
www.matriacares.com/partnersinbetterhealth/
The Partners in Better Health program also provides chronic and long-term condition management. Condition Care programs assist you in managing the chronic conditions of asthma, cancer, congestive heart failure (CHF), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and diabetes. Based on your medical claims, you may be identified for participation in the Partners in Better Health program. If you are identified as a potential candidate, you will be mailed additional educational material about this program. You may also be contacted by a health coach to review your health status, answer your questions, provide encouragement and support you in your efforts to manage your condition. A staff of professionals will also be available to answer more complex clinical questions about your conditions.

The Board of Trustees looks forward to offering this benefit to you, the Plan Participants, and remains committed to assisting you and your families in improving your health and overall quality of life.