Archives: Announcements (2011-2012)

Press Release - View PDF

Wellness Solutions for Maintaining Health During the Holidays
Med-Vision's healthcare strategist discusses why weight doesn't dictate good health.

Nov. 27, 2012 (Tampa, Fla.) - The holidays are here, and weight gain is on everyone's mind. Being skinny, however, doesn't equate to being healthy, according to a video by Connie Gee, vice president and employee wellness strategist for Med-Vision. Watch this one-minute video here on our website.

"Healthy comes in many shapes and sizes; it's not a matter of numbers on a scale," said Gee, who has two decades of experience in health promotions. "You can be considered normal weight, but if you don't couple exercising with proper nutrition, drinking water, and appropriate sleep – you can just as easily have a heart attack or stroke as someone above normal weight."

If a person is carrying an extra 20 to 30 pounds but is exercising, their body may adapt to that extra weight. Moving the body, good nutrition, and a good night's sleep can be protecting their heart health. Rather than focusing on the scale, Gee recommends simple steps for healthy holidays and wellbeing into the New Year:

1) Get moving: 30-60 minutes of moderate physical activity on most days can reduce risks for cardiovascular disease. Lace up your walking shoes and hit the mall for holiday shopping instead of ordering on-line.

2) Cook smart: Holiday treats can add on extra pounds. Find ways to make your favorite dishes healthier. Try skim milk in mashed cauliflower or potatoes, or opt for low fat whipped cream on desserts. Find more healthy recipes here on our website.

3) Think Moderation: Don't overextend yourself. Shoot for at least seven hours of sleep each night. Also, enjoy treats in moderation. Things like omitting the crust from pie can cut calories. Remember, regular exercise will also help balance those holiday meals.

Med-Vision LLC and Med-View LLC: Founded in 2005, Med-Vision (http://www.med-vision.com) delivers health plan risk management and wellness strategies to help employer groups achieve optimal employee health and productivity. In 2012, Med-Vision launched a proprietary healthcare data analysis tool, Med-View (http://www.med-view.net), to help employers identify and mitigate health risks. The firms cater to self-funded employer plan sponsors and impacts health plan members across the nation. Med-Vision has helped corporations, healthcare facilities, municipalities, and school districts to reduce risk, reverse trends, and decrease healthcare costs while increasing quality of care for their employees. Call Med-Vision at 813-205-1577 for more information.

Announcement - View PDF

Wellness Strategist Connie Gee Named a Finalist for 2012 Healthcare Heroes Awards
Med-Vision's VP Recognized among Tampa Bay Area's Top Health Care Educators.

Sept. 18, 2012 (Tampa, Fla.) - Med-Vision LLC's vice president, Connie Gee, has been named a finalist for the 2012 Health Care Heroes Awards. The awards, produced by the Tampa Bay Business Journal, will honor local individuals and organizations in the health care industry.

An independent panel of judges selected finalists for the awards in nine categories. Gee, who uses health data analytics to blaze a new trail in the wellness industry, is among an elite group of six finalists in the "Health Care Educator" category Recipients of the Health Care Heroes Awards will be honored at an awards dinner on Tuesday, Oct. 9 at Vinoy Resort & Golf Club, and finalists will also be profiled in a special section of the journal on October 12.

Gee's experience includes 20 years in the development of health promotion programs for major hospitals, school districts, government agencies, and corporations. Recently, four of Med-Vision's clients were finalists in the Tampa Bay Area 2012 Healthy Employers Awards. Watch a recent video featuring Connie Gee discussing the value of health and wellness: http://www.med-vision.com/mv-video.htm

Gee's role at Med-Vision includes analyzing health plan data and determining actionable solutions for enhancing employee wellness and lowering healthcare costs. A dynamic health educator and one of the first 90 certified Wellcoaches, Gee incorporates the latest innovations into her programs. She is also known for coining the term "Aquacise" and setting up aquatics fitness classes throughout Tampa Bay during the early 1990s.

Gee holds an MBA from the University of Tampa. She is a member of Healthcare Businesswomen Association Florida Chapter (HBA), American Society for Healthcare Human Resources Administration (ASHHRA), and the Society for Human Resource Management National Chapter (SHRM). Gee also serves on the Florida Chamber Foundation's Six Pillars Quality of Life, Quality Places Caucus.

Press Release - View Video Release

True Healthcare Reform for Employers & Individuals
Med-Vision identifies money-saving solutions and helps employers and employees manage health risks through Med-View healthcare data analytics

August 23, 2012 (Tampa, Fla.) - As the Republican National Convention (RNC) ignites Tampa with healthcare reform chatter, leaders in the public and private sectors agree that Americans need solutions to combat soaring healthcare costs.

Individual self-care as an effort to avoid chronic conditions, combined with smart healthcare consumerism in finding the best price and care quality, is the foundation for lowering healthcare costs, although experts also point to employers for true reform.

"Employers are positioned to empower employees to better health through a true organizational culture of wellness," said Connie Gee, vice president of Med-Vision, a health plan risk management firm. "But you can't change what you can't measure, and a clear view of claims data is essential in helping employers leverage resources to build a healthier workforce."

In an effort to lead employer-driven healthcare reform, Med-Vision LLC and Med-View LLC combine powerful healthcare analytics with wellness and disease management strategies to mitigate health risks and lower costs.

Med-View, a healthcare data analysis tool, helps employers identify disease prevalence and other cost drivers in employee benefit plans, such as care gaps and billing inaccuracies. The tool provides employers a HIPAA compliant view of health claims, biometric, and HRA data. Easy-to-read reports help employers detect risks, perform financial audits, and reduce medical costs through effective wellness and disease management strategies.

"Healthy employees translates into greater workforce productivity, fewer workplace mistakes, increased morale, lower turnover rates, decreased absenteeism, and reduced medical costs," said Gee. "Strong workforces equal strong companies, strong communities, and a strong nation."

Watch an employer-driven healthcare reform video and learn how employers are saving millions of dollars: http://www.med-vision.com/mv-video.htm.

About Med-Vision LLC and Med-View LLC: Founded in 2005, Med-Vision (www.med-vision.com) delivers health plan risk management and wellness strategies to help employer groups achieve optimal employee health and productivity. In 2012, Med-Vision launched a proprietary healthcare data analysis tool, Med-View (www.med-view.net), to help employers identify and mitigate health risks. The firms cater to self-funded employer plan sponsors and impacts health plan members across the nation. Med-Vision has helped corporations, healthcare facilities, municipalities, and school districts to reduce risk, reverse trends, and decrease healthcare costs while increasing quality of care for their employees. Call 813-205-1577 for information.

Announcement

View Photos and PDF regarding awards.

Med-Vision Clients Nominated for Healthiest Employer Awards

August 13, 2012 (Tampa, Fla.) - Med-Vision is proud to announce that our valued clients are being recognized for outstanding achievements in their employee wellness programs. The District School Board of Pasco County and the School District of Manatee County have been named finalists for the 2012 Healthiest Employer Awards, presented by the Tampa Bay Business Journal.

The award honors organizations that have made a rewarding realization — a healthier workplace means happier employees who are more productive, use less sick time, and remain loyal longer.

Press Release

Med-View's Powerful Technology Creates a Crystal Clear View of Healthcare Costs and Money Saving Solutions
Amazon Cloud and Milliman's Risk Model helps Med-View rapidly translate healthcare data into strategies for lowering costs and boosting employee productivity.

June 27, 2012 (Tampa, Fla.) - Med-View (www.med-view.net) is a health data analytics tool empowering employers with reports for mitigating health risks and lowering employee healthcare costs. Since its 2012 launch, Med-View has surpassed other healthcare data technologies in efficiency and affordability.

Med-View seamlessly blends health claims, biometric, pharmacy, and health risk assessment data (HRA) into HIPPA compliant reports for detecting health risks and identifying cost-drivers. The technology rapidly and frequently scrubs data, allowing users to select and summarize groups with specified attributes from millions of records as quickly as searching Amazon or Google for a book. The simple navigation makes it easy to create customized reports, which place cost-saving solutions into the hands of CFOs, HR managers, and care managers.

"Med-View's reports aren't duplicating what you receive from consultants or insurers; rather, it's providing to-the-point summaries and actionable solutions," said Med-View's president, Dan Ross. "Many vendors are talking about big-data solutions, but Med-View is actually delivering results by simultaneously processing large data sets."

Cost Saving Highlights: Employers significantly reduce costs through Internet-based tools instead of costly database licenses and hardware. Data is safely stored in Amazon Cloud, which means Med-View clients only pay for the secured space they use, as opposed to fixed-service space costs found on other vendors' rate sheets.

"Med-View is a product of Deerwalk's engineering and physician team affiliated with Harvard Medical School and MIT," added Ross. "Deerwalk's robust development capabilities coupled with Med-Vision's expertise in healthcare analysis, leaves Med-View unparalleled in uncovering risks and lowering health costs."

An added feature is Med-View's employee portal, which allows eligible employees to access HRA data and medical information to enhance wellness and disease management. The portal includes member messaging regarding preventive screenings, such as an annual breast exam for women or an eye exam for diabetics. Referred to as "care gap messaging," these alerts help close any gaps in evidence-based care, in turn, lowering healthcare costs associated with unmanaged conditions or undetected disease.

About Med-View (www.med-view.net): Med-View magnifies health claims, biometric, and HRA data to help employers drastically cut health-related costs. Med-View is a leading edge, proprietary healthcare tool used for analyzing health claims, detecting risks, and identifying cost drivers. Much like a detective, Med-View sniffs out clues like care gaps and price gouging. Then it creates HIPAA compliant reports that pinpoint solutions for reversing cost trends. The data mining process provides strategic direction for employers to more effectively target health promotion, wellness, and disease management programs.

Press Release
View in PDF Format

How Savvy Healthcare Consumerism Improves Your Bottom Line
Smart Healthcare Consumers Reap Financial Savings for Themselves and Employers

May 15, 2012 (Tampa, Fla.) - The experts at Med-Vision, LLC are called upon daily to provide health data analytics and health plan risk management for self-funded employers combatting rising healthcare costs. Although in this era of painfully high deductibles and widespread medical inflation, employers are increasingly investing in healthcare consumer education to lower overall health costs and to help employees reduce out-of-pocket expenses.

Self-care through a healthy lifestyle and preventative measures can be touted as the wisest investment. Physical and emotional wellbeing can help you avoid high-cost medical expenses associated with chronic conditions and diseases.

"Even if you are a model of good health, you'll need to be savvy in navigating your health plan to ensure you receive quality care," said Regina Novak, Med-Vision's senior health educator, and author of Med-Vision's School of Wellness article series.

Novak, who has a Masters' of Public Health degree, offers the following tips:

1) Understand your plan. Review services offered and be sure you're receiving the preventive care offered under paid premiums. Become well versed on your out-of-pocket obligations including co-pays, coinsurance, and annual deductibles to avoid surprises.
2) Discuss alternative options with your physician. Ask about generic drugs, request free samples, and discuss home-treatment options.
3) Don't waste time and money at the ER. When a doctor is not feasible or appropriate, consider a walk-in-clinic or urgent care center for non-emergencies.
4) Review healthcare bills. Inspect just as you would a restaurant bill. Billing mistakes do occur.
5) Shop around – you're the customer. Price variations run rampant in healthcare, and the highest price doesn't always mean the highest quality.

In addition to providing wellness and health education services, Med-Vision connects clients with other firms specializing in healthcare consumer support. Texas-based ACAP Health Consulting offers consumer advocacy services that help individuals make educated treatment decisions. The service's Health Pros have access to price transparency tools and data to compare the cost of services regionally, which helps patients understand options, choose doctors, review bills, and save money.

A 2012 report issued by Thomson Reuters estimated $36 billion could be saved annually if the 108 million Americans with employer-sponsored insurance did comparison pricing on common medical procedures.

Press Release
View in PDF Format

Wellness Focus Helps Employer Decrease Health Costs
Florida school district enhances health benefits for 8,000 employees while cutting costs.

April 3, 2012 (Tampa, Fla.) - Rather than passing rising health costs on to employees, Crowne Consulting Group and Med-Vision, LLC helped Pasco County schools discover an innovative approach to cut costs by enhancing healthcare for its more than 8,000 employees.

By coupling onsite health and wellness centers with customized wellness programs to engage employees, Pasco County schools reduced health costs 5 percent last year, saving more than $155,000 per month. The district also flattened its prescription drug costs in 2011, thus defying the average 9.2 percent national rise according to a Segal health plan cost trend survey.

"Med-Vision's health data analytics and wellness planning in combination with Crowne Consulting Group's management of our CareHere health centers have been very valuable," said Mary Tillman, Pasco schools' director of employee benefits.

For zero deductibles and no costs, employees have free access to primary medical, screenings, lab work, X-rays, EKG, occupational health, wellness programs, disease management, and generic prescriptions.

Crowne Consulting Group assisted Pasco schools in opening three worksite centers in January 2011, and the district is considering adding a fourth later this year. The Crowne Consulting Group is co-administrators of 24 health and wellness centers throughout Florida, helping Tennessee-based partners CareHere, LLC total 100 health centers nationwide.

In addition to operating during hours convenient for employees, the patient-centric medical services allow for 20 minutes with clinic physicians as opposed to the average seven minutes. The operators also ensure patient information is kept confidential, according to HIPAA laws, and administer the district's workers' compensation matters and drug testing.

"Crowne Consulting Group and CareHere have been outstanding in setting up and operating our health centers," said Tillman. "They provided orientations for our employees, and they even offered a prize drawing incentive to encourage utilization."

Despite being able to access care through their current health plan, nearly half of the employee population visited the worksite centers within the first year. Employees totaled 26,000 medical visits, filled more than 15,000 prescriptions, and benefited from programs such as nutrition and smoking cessation in 2011.

Med-Vision, LLC, a health plan risk management and strategy firm, combed through the district's health claims to determine what disease management and wellness programs were needed.

"Med-Vision helped write our wellness strategic plan, and they're guiding our wellness committee in budgeting for doing the most good for employees through targeted health incentives," said Tillman.

Health programs for 2012 include an "Employee Report Card," which will allow employees to complete health risk assessments and track wellness program participation with the goal of earning cash rewards.

About Crowne Consulting Group, Inc: Crowne Consulting Group, Inc., founded in 1986, consults and provides administrative oversight services for onsite health and wellness centers to employers and is a related company with The Crowne Group, an employee benefits consulting firm, specializing in employer solutions and personal lines of insurance. Crowne's experts have a cumulative 100 years of experience in serving public sector employers such as school boards, city and county government, as well as private organizations. Solutions for consumer-driven plans include health reimbursement arrangements, self-funded plans, onsite health and wellness centers, as well as risk management and human resources consulting. Call 407-654-5414 or visit www.crowneinc.com for more information.

About Med-Vision, LLC: Founded in 2005, Med-Vision delivers health plan risk management and wellness strategies to help employer groups achieve optimal employee health and productivity. Med-Vision caters to the needs of self-funded employer plan sponsors and impacts health plan members across the nation. Med-Vision has helped corporations, healthcare facilities, municipalities, and school districts to reduce risk, reverse trends, and decrease healthcare costs while increasing quality of care for their employees. Call 813-205-1577 or visit www.med-vision.com for more information.

Announcement

Employee Wellness Strategist Presents for World Health Congress
Connie Gee presents "Leading Strategic Change with Wellness" workshop.

March 29, 2012 (Tampa, Fla.) - Med-Vision, LLC's vice president, Connie Gee, presented a workshop on Leading Strategic Change with Wellness for more than 250 director-level employer groups and health plan sponsors at the World Congress' 4th Annual Health Plan Innovation Congress on March 21 in Orlando, Fla.

A dynamic presenter and organizational development trainer, Gee offered strategies on how employers can create a competitive advantage. She discussed how to achieve higher levels of performance of a wellness mission by understanding the "big picture" including the economic and organizational logic important to decision makers.

"Worksite wellness has been around for more than four decades -- yet employers still struggle with how to use it effectively to lower healthcare costs," said Gee. "Now more than ever is the time to learn how to leverage proven strategies to get control of expenses without sacrificing the care of your greatest assets."

Gee, whose primary functions at Med-Vision include analyzing health plan data and determining actionable solutions to save clients millions of dollars, discussed how employers can become the change agents who can surpass an organization's goals and objectives by making wellness work. Her insights included industry models, processes, health data analytics, and strategic advice on how to:

• Construct a strategic plan that will give you long term decision support
• Apply process improvement methodologies to get the results you want
• Move your organization from wellness events to positive outcome-based tactics

Gee's worksite programs have motivated thousands of people to make long-term lifestyle changes. She holds a MBA from the University of Tampa, was one of the first 90 certified Wellcoaches, has held multiple certifications in Wellness and HR Management, and has over 20 years of experience in developing employee health promotions for major hospitals, corporations, school districts, and county governments. Gee's speaking topics are available at: http://www.linktoexpert.com/conniegee.

About Med-Vision:
Founded in 2005, Med-Vision delivers health plan risk management and wellness strategies to help employer groups achieve optimal employee health and productivity. Med-Vision caters to the needs of self-funded employer plan sponsors and impacts health plan members across the nation. Med-Vision has helped corporations, healthcare facilities, municipalities, and school districts to reduce risk, reverse trends, and decrease healthcare costs while increasing quality of care for their employees.

Press Release

Med-View Puts a Magnifying Glass on What's Driving Employer Health Costs
Med-Vision helps launch Med-View technology for better healthcare data analysis.
View and Print this Release

March 1, 2012 (Tampa, Fla.) - Med-Vision, LLC has expanded its range of health data analytics services to include Med-View technology, a proprietary healthcare tool for investigating health claims and identifying cost drivers in employee benefits plans. This new reporting tool has been customized by healthcare and insurance industry experts to magnify an employer's view of health claims, biometric, and HRA data.

"The days of blindly trying to lower health costs are over; technology is taking over this industry to help employers detect health risks, spot billing inaccuracies, and reduce health costs today," said Dan Ross, president of Med-Vision and founder of Med-View. Much like a detective, Med-View sniffs out clues like care gaps and price gouging. Then it creates HIPAA compliant reports that pinpoint solutions for reversing cost trends.

Medical, pharmacy, HRA, biometric, and eligibility data is translated into concise, easy-to-read reports that pave the way for better care management and improving quality of care. By investigating health claims information, Med-View helps employers, consultants, and medical care managers to:

• Measure vendor and provider performance
• Detect care management and wellness opportunities
• View and audit claims processing and eligibility
• Identify high-risk members and pinpoint care gaps
• Evaluate the cost-savings of generic drug options
• Watch for cost drivers and proactively combat risks

"Self-funded employers are especially appreciating the clear view and are gaining a rapid understanding of medical practice patterns, utilization, and quality control issues," added Ross.

About Med-View (www.med-view.net):
Med-View magnifies health claims, biometric and HRA data to help employers drastically cut health-related costs. Med-View is a leading-edge, proprietary healthcare tool used for analyzing health claims, detecting risks, and identifying cost drivers. The data mining process provides strategic direction for employers to more effectively target health promotion, wellness, and disease management programs. Visit www.med-view.net.

About Med-Vision: Founded in 2005, Med-Vision delivers health plan risk management and wellness strategies to help employer groups achieve optimal employee health and productivity. Med-Vision caters to the needs of self-funded employer plan sponsors and impacts health plan members across the nation. Med-Vision has helped corporations, healthcare facilities, municipalities, and school districts to reduce risk, reverse trends, and decrease healthcare costs while increasing quality of care for their employees. Watch a WFLA-NBC news segment featuring Med-Vision (www.med-vision.com).

Announcement

Expert Helps School Districts Lead Strategic Change in Wellness
Connie Gee featured presenter at Statewide Wellness Coordinator's Conference.

Jan. 13, 2012 (Tampa, Fla.) - Med-Vision, LLC's vice president, Connie Gee, was a featured presenter on January 13 at a Statewide Wellness Coordinator's Association Conference.

Gee presented a workshop on "Leading Strategic Change in Wellness." The conference was hosted by Med-Vision's client Osceola School District and attendance included wellness coordinators from School Districts across the state. Gee discussed how to achieve higher levels of performance of a wellness mission by understanding the "big picture" including the economic and organizational logic important to decision makers.

About Med-Vision: Founded in 2005, Med-Vision delivers health plan risk management and wellness strategies to help employer groups achieve optimal employee health and productivity. Med-Vision caters to the needs of self-funded employer plan sponsors and impacts health plan members across the nation. Med-Vision has helped corporations, healthcare facilities, municipalities, and school districts to reduce risk, reverse trends, and decrease healthcare costs while increasing quality of care for their employees.

Press Release

Employee Wellness Expert Teaches Strategies for Higher Performance
Connie Gee featured presenter at the Bay Area Wellness Coordinator's Expo

Click here to view, share, or print this release.

Dec. 13, 2011 (Tampa, Fla.) - Med-Vision, LLC's vice president, Connie Gee, was a featured presenter at the Bay Area Wellness Coordinators 2nd Annual Bay Area Meeting and Expo last Tuesday at All Children's Hospital.

A dynamic presenter and organizational development trainer, Gee incorporates the latest innovations into her wellness seminars and presentations. Her keynote topic was "Leading Strategic Change in Wellness," during which she discussed how to achieve higher levels of performance of a wellness mission by understanding the "big picture" including the economic and organizational logic important to decision makers.

Gee, whose primary functions at Med-Vision include analyzing health plan data and determining actionable solutions for employee wellness, discussed how to use industry models, policies, processes, and data to make a wellness program an accepted organizational business strategy.

"It's imperative to remember that healthy employees translates into greater workforce productivity, increased morale, lower turnover rates, decreased absenteeism, and reduced costs for employers," said Gee, who was featured in a WFLA-NBC news segment highlighting how Med-Vision helped a client save over $11 million in healthcare costs.

An innovator in the wellness industry, Gee has launched effective worksite programs that have motivated thousands of people to make long-term lifestyle changes. Earlier this year, the Florida Chamber Foundation selected Gee to serve on its Six Pillars Caucus System, for which she is working with other state leaders to craft the first-ever, state-wide, strategic plan for Quality of Life & Quality of Places.

Gee holds a MBA from the University of Tampa, was one of the first 90 certified Wellcoaches, has held multiple certifications in Wellness and Human Resource Management, and has over 20 years of professional experience in developing employee health promotions for major hospitals and corporations. A list of Gee's speaking topics is available at: http://www.linktoexpert.com/conniegee.

About Med-Vision: Founded in 2005, Med-Vision delivers health plan risk management and wellness strategies to help employer groups achieve optimal employee health and productivity. Med-Vision caters to the needs of self-funded employer plan sponsors and impacts health plan members across the nation. Med-Vision has helped corporations, healthcare facilities, municipalities, and school districts to reduce risk, reverse trends, and decrease healthcare costs while increasing quality of care for their employees.

Press Release

How Employers Can Gain Contol of Healthcare Costs Through Data Analytics
Dan Ross of Med-Vision tours the U.S. offering
risk management strategies for reducing health costs.
Click here to view, share, or print this release.


Nov. 10, 2011 (Tampa, Fla.) - Med-Vision, LLC, a health plan and risk management strategy firm serving self-funded employers, announces that founder and president Dan Ross will be the featured presenter at a Southwest Michigan Association of Health Underwriters (SMAHU) event at 8 a.m. on Nov. 16 at Kalamazoo Country Club in Kalamazoo, Mich.

Ross, who has 20 years of experience in the employee benefits industry, will discuss how health data analytics is empowering employers to gain control of health costs, which are increasing at a national rate of 9-12 percent annually. This presentation comes after Med-Vision cohosts a weeklong series of employer-driven healthcare reform seminars in Florida for large, self-funded employers.

"Dan is a great thought leader, and Med-Vision's approach to claims analysis is valuable for businesses and those in the insurance industry," said Scott Doherty, founder of the Doherty Agency and president of SMAHU, which is a local chapter of the National Association of Health Underwriters. "Regardless if you have a large organization with thousands of lives or a small business, the data shows that a small percentage of an employee population has a higher risk of certain diseases, which drives the majority of health costs."

According to the CDC, 75 percent of healthcare costs come from chronic disease. Ross' presentation for SMAHU will focus on how to analyze the data to implement customized disease management programs to counter those health risks. Med-Vision's database of employer-sponsored plans shows that just 5 percent of members account for 60 to 70 percent of all employer health expenses.

Ross said, "Through predictive risk modeling, quality compliance, and corresponding wellness programs, we're blazing a trail for employers to save money while boosting employee productivity."

About Med-Vision: Founded in 2005, Med-Vision delivers health plan risk management and wellness strategies to help employer groups achieve optimal employee health and productivity. Med-Vision caters to the needs of self-funded employer plan sponsors and impacts health plan members across the nation. Med-Vision has helped corporations, healthcare facilities, municipalities, and school districts to reduce risk, reverse trends, and decrease healthcare costs while increasing quality of care for their employees.

Announcement

American Heart Association Honors School District's Success

Oct. 24, 2011 (Tampa, Fla.) - Med-Vision congratulates Manatee County School District, which has been awarded the 2011 GOLD Award and the 2011 Worksite Innovation Award by the American Heart Association. Out of 153 awarded applicants, only 9 of those were awarded the Worksite Innovation Award. Visit AHA's "Start Walking Now" website for more information about how the school district won this prestigious award.

Through the help of Med-Vision in creating its wellness environment, Manatee schools has helped lower healthcare costs while protecting its most important resource — its employees. Visit Med-Vision's News Page to learn more about the school district's success, including a feature article in the October 2011 issue of District Administration magazine.

Press Release

EMPLOYEE CLINIC HELPS CORPORATION DECREASE HEALTHCARE COSTS
CareHere operated employee clinic improves care and reduces health costs
according to health data analyses provided by Med-Vision's health plan strategists.
Click here to view PDF and print this release.

Sept. 22, 2011 (Tampa, Fla.) – Strategic wellness efforts and a free clinic for the employees and dependents of a major snack food giant's manufacturing facility has significantly reduced medical costs while decreasing employee health risks.

The manufacturing facility opened its clinic in April 2010 to service 1800 onsite employees. The clinic was installed by and operated by CareHere, LLC, a Tennessee-based firm with more than 100 workplace-based clinics providing primary medical and occupational healthcare nationwide.

At no cost to the employee, the clinic allows employees to see a doctor for routine checkups, lab work, pharmaceuticals, preventive visits for acute conditions such as the flu, as well as disease management of chronic illnesses such as diabetes.

"Easier medical access translates to healthier employees with fewer absences and promotes disease prevention, which is key to catching illnesses before they become chronic conditions that are expensive to treat," said Ernie Clevenger, President of CareHere, LLC. "These improved outcomes results in lowered healthcare costs."

Med-Vision, LLC, a health data analytics firm providing health planning strategies for the manufacturing facility since 2008, has conducted a year-over-year comparison, analyzing the April 2009 to March 2010 health claims data compared to April 2010 to March 2011. Results include:

• CareHere's clinic and disease management programs have helped decrease claim costs in relation to chronic disease. The manufacturing facility experienced a 6 percent decrease in total amount of diabetes claims paid, while other locations operated by the snack food giant saw an 83 percent increase.
  
• The manufacturing facility experienced a 5 percent decrease in healthcare spend, partly due to a 17 percent decrease in ER visits and a decrease in lab costs.
  
• The manufacturing facility experienced a 41 percent decrease in prescription costs despite a 16 percent increase in dispensed medications, which reflects better medical utilization at a lower cost.

In addition to measuring care gaps and disease registries through HIPPAA compliant data analyses, Med-Vision has helped the manufacturing facility promote a commitment to employee wellness by developing an integrated benefit design.

"Onsite care with preventive screenings, wellness programs, and strategic health planning have proven effective for identifying health risks early and reducing health costs," said Dan Ross, president of Med-Vision, LLC.

About Med-Vision, LLC: Founded in 2005 and based in Tampa, Med-Vision delivers health plan risk management and wellness strategies to help employer groups achieve optimal employee health and productivity. Med-Vision specifically caters to the needs of self-funded employer plan sponsors and currently impacts health plan members across the nation. Med-Vision has helped corporations, healthcare facilities, municipalities, and school districts to reduce risk, reverse trends, and decrease healthcare costs while increasing quality of care for their employees. See client results at http://www.med-vision.com/tv-nbc.html.

About CareHere, LLC: CareHere specializes in primary medical care, occupational health services and comprehensive onsite laboratory diagnostics. In just seven years, CareHere has grown from two Tennessee-based clinics to more than 100 nationwide. For more information about CareHere or their services, contact Bernie Livers at (615) 495-5299, blivers@carehere.com and visit www.CareHere.com or call 615-312-8200.

Press Release
For additional information, contact
Chandra Price, Media Contact: chandra.price@med-vision.com,
or contact Connie Gee, connie.gee@med-vision.com, for additional tips.

EMPLOYEE HEALTH FAIR DESIGNED TO SPARK WELLNESS AWARENESS
Med-Vision provides health fair coordination and customized wellness programs.
Click here to view PDF and print this release.

Sept. 15, 2011 (Tampa, Fla.) – Med-Vision, LLC enjoyed another year of participation in Moffitt Cancer Center's annual health fair for its more than 4,000 employees. Med-Vision, LLC was part of a team of wellness experts coordinating the baseball-themed event "World Series of Wellness" held Tuesday.

In addition to Med-Vision's health planning strategists, Moffitt's human resources, employee on-site clinic staff, and wellness coordinators worked with its insurance carrier and other exhibitors and sponsors. The full-day event featured sponsor booths, a fitness challenge registration, interactive displays, and free health screenings for blood pressure, cholesterol, osteoporosis, blood sugar, and BMI. Entertainment included an unexpected flash mob that broke out with dancing to liven up event visitors. Employees also had an opportunity to win prizes, including a bicycle sponsored by Med-Vision and Wells Fargo.

"For the past four years, we've been honored to work with Moffitt and provide data-driven health planning strategies to support the center's commitment to employee wellness," said Connie Gee, vice president of Med-Vision, who was recently featured in a WFLA-NBC news segment highlighting how Med-Vision helped Moffitt save over $11 million in healthcare costs.

Med-Vision's health educator, Regina Novak, was also on the steering committee for the health fair. Novak hosted Med-Vision's healthy pregnancy booth during the health fair. The booth served as a sneak peak to "Moffitt Mommy's Day" programs that Med-Vision will be offering to Moffitt employees on a monthly basis beginning this month. The three-part program series will focus on a woman's health before, during, and after pregnancy. The skills-building presentations are designed to educate and promote healthy pregnancies. Educational articles about healthy pregnancy, titled Med-Vision for Mommies, are also available at our Wellness Articles web page.

*Pictures highlighting Moffitt's health fair and Med-Vision's healthy pregnancy booth are available at Med-Vision's Facebook page.

*Watch video of the flash mob at the event on Med-Vision's Youtube page.

About Med-Vision, LLC: Founded in 2005 and based in Tampa, Med-Vision delivers health plan risk management and wellness strategies to help employer groups achieve optimal employee health and productivity. Med-Vision specifically caters to the needs of self-funded employer plan sponsors and currently impacts health plan members across the nation. Med-Vision has helped corporations, healthcare facilities, municipalities, and school districts to reduce risk, reverse trends, and decrease healthcare costs while increasing quality of care for their employees.

Press Release
For additional information, contact
Chandra Price, Media Contact: chandra.price@med-vision.com,
or contact Connie Gee, connie.gee@med-vision.com, for additional tips.

How Busy Professionals Can Regain Their Health This Summer
Click here to view PDF and print this release.

July 6, 2011 (Tampa, Fla.) – Summer means vacation and travel for many, but some professionals are working through the summer months. If you're stuck surfing the Internet rather than riding the Florida surf, there is still opportunity for you to reap the healthy benefits of summer.

"Intertwine healthy summer activities into all areas of your life, including family activities, social time, and at work," said Connie Gee, vice president of Med-Vision, LLC, an independent, unbiased eye analyzing employee health claims data to help employers develop site-specific wellness programs.

Some employee populations have high risk of certain diseases, for which Med-Vision's wellness experts implement customized programs to counter those health risks and educate the workforce on preventative measures.

"We have various plans for different health risks, but it seems that summer is a perfect opportunity for any busy professional to get more exercise and eat healthier," said Gee.

In a quest to stay on the leading edge of wellness, Gee recently toured the Human Performance Institute, a Johnson & Johnson organization situated on a 9-acre campus in Orlando. The world-class institute has a team of performance coaches, nutritionists, and exercise physiologists that provide training programs for corporate executives to learn how to expand their energy and achieve their personal best. While she wishes every executive could take part in a corporate athletic program or retreat this summer, Gee says there are simple measures individuals can take on their own, such as:

-Switching up your shopping: Summer is a great season for fresh produce. Organize a family trip to your local farmer's market and let everyone pick out his or her favorite item.

-Bringing the salad bar to work: Organize a group of coworkers to each bring in one cleaned and chopped fruit or vegetable for a lunchroom salad bar. Mix it up each week, and alternate folks bringing low-fat dressings and healthy toppings like chickpeas or almonds.

-Making a splash: Spend your weekends on the water. Kayaking and canoeing are great for the upper body. Swimming laps provides a low impact, total body workout, while water aerobics classes are a great way to socialize and get in shape.

-Firing up the grill: Try grilling out a few nights of the workweek to achieve weight loss. Grilling lean meats and vegetables is a better choice than prepackaged fried foods. Experiment with different ways to prepare your family's favorite items, such as grilling watermelon.

Fruits and vegetables in season include tomatoes, zucchini, bell peppers, blueberries, cantaloupe, and grapefruit. Check: www.fruitsandveggiesmorematters.org for a full list. Visit www.med-vision.com to view Med-Vision's quarterly newsletters featuring additional tips for a healthier lifestyle.

About Med-Vision:
Founded in 2005, Med-Vision delivers health plan risk management and wellness strategies to help employer groups achieve optimal employee health and productivity. Med-Vision caters to the needs of self-funded employer plan sponsors and impacts health plan members across the nation. Med-Vision has helped corporations, healthcare facilities, municipalities, and school districts to reduce risk, reverse trends, and decrease healthcare costs while increasing quality of care for their employees.

Press Release
For additional information, contact
Chandra Price, Media Contact: chandra.price@med-vision.com

Health Data Analytics Puts Wellness Expert on the Leading Edge of Risk Management
Connie Gee among first trainers emerging out of a health data analytics program.

May 24, 2011 (Tampa, Fla.) – Med-Vision, LLC's vice president, Connie Gee, is using data analytics to blaze a new trail in the wellness industry. Gee, whose primary functions at Med-Vision include analyzing health plan data and determining actionable solutions for employee wellness, recently participated in a three-day "Train-the-Trainer" program focused on Verisk Health's Sightlines Medical Intelligence.

Gee was among a core group of seven Sightlines users handpicked by Verisk Health to learn how to train new users on analyzing and minimizing healthcare risks using Sightlines. Participants were tasked with designing a training presentation on a specific focus area. Gee's focus was navigating a disease registry and building a business case to include cost-drivers, healthcare trends, and data charts.

"These are powerful risk assessment and decision tools, and I'm proud to be among the first trainers emerging from this program," said Gee.

The curriculum also included lessons on adult learning types, such as auditory or visual learners, and presentation skills to inspire audience involvement.

"As a lesson in discipline, we completed an origami puzzle, which reinforced that health data mining is a step-by-step process that requires focus, patience, and insight," said Gee.

A dynamic presenter and one of the first 90 certified Wellcoaches, Gee incorporates the latest innovations into her programs. Gee coined the term "Aquacise" and set up aquatics fitness classes throughout Tampa Bay during the early 1990s. Recently, she attended a Johnson & Johnson sponsored conference in Chicago to learn cutting-edge techniques for engaging employees and igniting their energy to improve health and productivity.

Gee holds an MBA from the University of Tampa as well as a certificate in HR Management and various accreditations from health organizations. Her experience includes 20 years in the development of health promotion programs for major hospitals and corporations.

About Med-Vision:
Founded in 2005, Med-Vision delivers health plan risk management and wellness strategies to help employer groups achieve optimal employee health and productivity. Med-Vision caters to the needs of self-funded employer plan sponsors and impacts health plan members across the nation. Med-Vision has helped corporations, healthcare facilities, municipalities, and school districts to reduce risk, reverse trends, and decrease healthcare costs while increasing quality of care for their employees.

Press Release
For additional information, contact
Chandra Price, Media Contact: chandra.price@med-vision.com

School District Breaks the Rising Health Costs Trend
Manatee County schools reduces healthcare costs while improving quality of care.

May 4, 2011 (Tampa, Fla.) – Combating the nationally rising health costs while improving the health of employees is no easy feat, but the self-funded Manatee County School District synchronized a team of consultants to keep its per member per month costs flat over the past three years, offsetting the national trend of 10 percent yearly cost increases.

It all started with the district's forward-thinking risk and benefits department assembling a team of subject-expert consultants to help the district improve member health and lower costs. Med-Vision, LLC, First Florida Insurance Brokers, and Siver Consultants are among the expert consultants that worked with the district's management and wellness teams as well as the district's plan administrator, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida, in implementing and managing its strategic wellness program titled "HealthVantage."

HealthVantage includes an array of preventative screenings, wellness consultations, on-site flu shots, fitness challenges, tobacco cessation programs, and disease management programs customized for the district's nearly 5,000 employees. Not one component of HealthVantage was chosen at random. Verisk Health's Sightlines Medical Intelligence data analytics was utilized to help the district's wellness team analyze conditions and direct them in creating site-specific solutions.

"The work Med-Vision has done with Manatee County School District is a great example of how identifying risk in an actionable way is crucial to ultimately mitigating that same risk," said Nathan Gunn, MD, chief operating officer of Verisk Health. "Med-Vision was able to use our predictive modeling and data analytic solution to help the district understand and manage its healthcare risk while also setting up interventions for mitigating that risk."

Dr. Gunn goes on to say, "The 13 percent reduction in member care-gap index between 2009 and 2010 is a clear indication of increased quality of care and better treatment compliance. The benefit modifications and alignment to high-performing networks that have resulted has allowed the district to reach an ideal scenario – the ability to maintain essentially a flat healthcare trend during the past three years."

Back in 2008, data analytic capabilities discovered chronic and co-morbid conditions as well as preventive care non-compliance. Approximately 5 percent of members with serious conditions were accounting for nearly 51 percent of the districts total healthcare costs. Aggregate claims, trends, and diagnostic groups helped the district mitigate costs by:

• Designing wellness and disease management programs to meet employee needs and fit their schedules.
• Establishing a wellness committee to communicate the value of healthy lifestyle choices.
• Eliminating wellness visit copayments to encourage preventive care and behavior change.
• Subsidizing supplies for certain chronic conditions.
• Rewarding employees for participating in education programs with lower copayments.

In 2010, Med-Vision, LLC also helped the district negotiate lower drug pricing with its pharmacy benefit management company. Despite a general increase in prescription fills, the district lowered prescription drug claims cost by $500,000. Additionally, according to 2009 to 2010 claims data, the district showed an increased utilization of antidepressant drugs aligned with stress and depression. Rather than just medicating or putting a Band-Aid on the issue, the district's wellness team enhanced its Employee Assistance Program (EAP) to offer employee support and an ability to seek counseling to talk in person about issues or call a toll-free number to get professional referrals.

The EAP, which is voluntary and confidential for employees, offers assistance for various emotional, financial, and familial issues. This support and care helps employees maintain their productivity while working through challenges. The EAP along with wellness and disease management programs are available at no charge to employees. In a year-over-year comparison of 2009 versus 2010, the result of the EAP impact on the cost of mental health office visits included: 22 percent reduction in total claims, 26 percent reduction in medical claims, and 12 percent reduction in pharmacy.

"Manatee has gotten in the driver's seat to improve quality of employee care while simultaneously saving millions of dollars," said Dan Ross, Med-Vision's president. "The district's on-site team along with market-leading plan administrator, Blue Cross Blue Shield Florida, fully utilized health claim data analytics to create inspiring programs that are producing meaningful results for both the employees and the district."

In early 2011, Kristi Dickerson, wellness coordinator for Manatee County School District, presented an overview of HealthVantage to an elite group of executives and decision makers at the Health Benefits Conference and Expo. The employee wellness presentation, available at www.med-vision.com/manateeintro.html and titled "One Size Does Not Fit All," reinforces that the key to the program's success has been a team effort in customizing solutions for current employee needs.

About Med-Vision:
Founded in 2005 and based in Tampa, Med-Vision delivers health plan risk management and wellness strategies to help employer groups achieve optimal employee health and productivity. Med-Vision specifically caters to the needs of self-funded employer plan sponsors and currently impacts health plan members across the nation. Med-Vision has helped corporations, healthcare facilities, municipalities, and school districts to reduce risk, reverse trends, and decrease healthcare costs while increasing quality of care for their employees.

About Verisk Health:
Verisk Health, a subsidiary of Verisk Analytics, leverages healthcare data to help businesses and governments understand their medical and financial risk for the purpose of managing costs and clinical outcomes more effectively. Through the combination of leading predictive science, the finest evidence-based clinical engine, and superior technology, Verisk Health has created the most extensive independent risk assessment and decision analytics platform in the healthcare industry.

Press Release
For additional information, contact
Chandra Price, Media Contact: chandra.price@med-vision.com

Connie Gee Selected to Join Florida Chamber Foundation's Six Pillars Caucus System
Med-Vision's vice president helping to shape Florida's next economy for prosperity.

Click here to view, share, or print this release.

March 22, 2011 (Tampa, Fla.) – The Florida Chamber Foundation announced that Connie Gee has been selected to serve on their Six Pillars Caucus System. Gee, who serves as the vice president, health data analyst and wellness strategic planner for Med-Vision, LLC (www.med-vision.com), will join other-leaders from across the state on the Quality of Life & Quality of Places Caucus to help craft the first-ever, state-wide strategic plan.

The Six Pillars Caucus System is a qualitative research program aimed to engage the best and brightest minds in the state to develop a plan for Florida's future economy that includes high-wage jobs, global competitiveness, and vibrant communities by the year 2030. The program launched last year and current members have already begun to construct the foundation for the plan. In this second year, Caucus members' deliberations will become more focused in order to finalize the first draft.

The Six Pillars is a product of years of collaboration and more than a million dollars in research by the Foundation that identifies the critical factor's determining Florida's future: 1) Talent Supply and Education, 2) Innovation and Economic Development, 3) Infrastructure and Growth Leadership, 4) Business Climate and Competitiveness, 5) Civic and Governance Systems, and 6) Quality of Life and Quality Places.

Gee holds an MBA from the University of Tampa as well as a certificate in Human Resource Management and various accreditations from health organizations. Her experience includes 20 years in the development of health promotion programs for major hospitals and corporations. Her primary functions at Med-Vision include analyzing health plan data, identifying cost drivers, and determining actionable solutions for improving employee wellness while simultaneously reducing healthcare costs.

New Caucus members were selected through a very competitive process. With the development of the strategic plan becoming more focused in 2011, Gee and other volunteers were selected with specific proficiencies that complement the collective expertise of the current members. To view a complete list of Six Pillars Caucus members, visit www.FLFoundation.org/Caucus.

"The Foundation looks forward to working along-side these thought leaders to refine goals, strategies and tactics that will lead to the state's first-ever strategic plan for prosperity," said Dr. Dale A. Brill, president of the Florida Chamber Foundation.

Others interested in getting involved in the discussion are encouraged to join the Six Pillars Collaborative Website. This site is designed to foster discussions surrounding the Six Pillars and will help formulate the recommendations for the strategic plan. The online community is a way to engage in discussions through sharing, evaluating and critiquing of ideas and issues. Those interested should email FloridaSixPillars@FLFoundation.org for an invitation to the site.

About the Florida Chamber Foundation:
The Florida Chamber Foundation is a business-led, problem-solver and research organization, working in partnership with state business leaders to promote a vibrant Florida economy. The Foundation's "Six Pillars" serve as a visioning platform for moving Florida forward. The Foundation 's work focuses on: 1) Talent Supply and Education, 2) Innovation and Economic Development, 3) Infrastructure and Growth Leadership, 4) Business Climate and Competitiveness, 5) Civic and Governance Systems, and 6) Quality of Life and Quality Places. Founded in 1968, the Foundation is a critical voice for improving the state's pro-business climate to enable Florida to grow and prosper. For more information, visit www.FLFoundation.org.

About Med-Vision:
Founded in 2005, Med-Vision delivers health plan risk management and wellness strategies to help employer groups achieve optimal employee health and productivity. Med-Vision specifically caters to the needs of self-funded employer plan sponsors and currently impacts health plan members across the nation. Med-Vision has helped corporations, healthcare facilities, municipalities, and school districts to reduce risk, reverse trends, and decrease healthcare costs while increasing quality of care for their employees.

Press Release
For additional information, contact
Chandra Price, Media Contact: chandra.price@med-vision.com

Health Plan Data Analytics Firm Detects a Link to Sherlock Holmes
From Movies to Med-Vision, Gavin Hale Appointed Executive Consultant

Click here to view, share, or print this release.

Jan. 11, 2011 (Tampa, Fla.) – Med-Vision, LLC (www.med-vision.com), a health plan and risk management strategy firm, announces that Gavin Hale has been named an executive consultant for the firm. In addition to serving the healthcare planning needs of self-funded employers, Hale's role will include spreading awareness of Med-Vision's data-driven solutions, health plan risk management services, and customized wellness strategies.

Prior to joining Med-Vision, Hale provided business development strategies for several large organizations. However, in general conversation, his major motion-picture roles seem to overshadow his corporate experience. Hale's resume includes movie roles between 1997 and 2010. He served as a body double for Liam Neeson in "The Other Man" and "The Haunting." Among his other credits: Star Wars the "Phantom Menace," Harry Potter "The Deathly Hallows," as well as "Band of Brothers," directed by Tom Hanks. All films were made in Gavin's native country of Great Britain.

"Most recently, I had a small role on the set of the 'Sherlock Holmes' sequel, which could be deemed an excellent transition into Med-Vision's detective work in analyzing employer health plans," said Hale. "One of my key roles with Med-Vision is to help employers understand the significant financial value of detecting discrepancies and mitigating the risk of high cost claims."

Medical intelligence tools help Med-Vision to aggregate and analyze patient information that is otherwise inaccessible to employers due to HIPAA privacy laws. Med-Vision uses the deeply mined data to identify cost drivers and to develop customized strategies for achieving optimal return on investment of healthcare planning.

While Hale's movie career is undoubtedly a conversation starter, he is joining the health care experts at Med-Vision because of his professionalism and an ability to articulate to self-funded employers the cost-saving benefits of Med-Vision's services.

About Med-Vision:
Founded in 2005, Med-Vision delivers health plan risk management and wellness strategies to help employer groups achieve optimal employee health and productivity. Med-Vision specifically caters to the needs of self-funded employer plan sponsors and currently impacts more than 75,000 health plan members. Med-Vision has helped corporations, healthcare facilities, municipalities, and school districts to reduce risk, reverse trends, and decrease healthcare costs while increasing quality of care.