| On My Mind: Steak and Sizzle |
| By Cheryl Demars, CEO
 By now you've likely heard about The Alliance's new look and Web site. The new logo, colors, tagline, revised mission, and Web site (www.the-alliance.org) serve as a strong representation of the progressive approach our members have to ensuring employee health and providing health benefits.
As we worked toward creating this new brand identity, I have been reminded of something one of the founding members of The Alliance taught me - the importance of "the steak" and "the sizzle". That is, the importance of both the substance of a business value proposition as well as the way in which it is presented and promoted.
Over the last several months, The Alliance Board and staff have put the results of Project 360, our sweeping market research and member survey project, to work to address both. What we learned from our members, provider partners and other business associates, as well as the community at large has lead to a sharper focus and new product ideas (the steak) and a new brand, including a revised mission statement (the sizzle). I encourage you to visit our new Web site to learn more, and to check back frequently as we make progress in both the steak and sizzle components of The Alliance.
Our revised mission statement articulates the reason for our existence: The Alliance moves health care forward by controlling costs, improving quality, and engaging individuals in their health. The methods by which we'll get there will change in accordance with changes in our market.
The Alliance Board and staff have identified the following four key areas as our focus:
- Rewarding and using high-value providers
- Identifying and implementing optimal health care strategies
- Assisting individuals in making good decisions
- Advocating for effective health policy
Broad goals, to be sure! We will be working to further define the "what" and the "how" over the next several months. We'll be talking about all of this at our upcoming Annual Meeting on October 2. I look forward to seeing you there. If you haven't yet responded, be sure to R.S.V.P. today.
Also be sure to watch your mail this week for more information on the new brand identity as well as a campaign, The Way Health Care Should Be.
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| New Participating Provider: The Finley Hospital |
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The Alliance is pleased to announce the addition of The Finley Hospital as a participating provider for all Alliance-accessing enrollees. The change became effective July 15, 2008. This addition means that all services provided by The Finley Hospital, including the Wendt Regional Cancer Center and Cascade Medical Center, will be considered as in-network beginning with the effective date and going forward. The addition of The Finley Hospital offers employers and patients in the Dubuque, Iowa-area true choice of where their hospital-based health care needs are met. If you have questions about this addition, please contact Jill Mathison, jmathison@the-alliance.org, or 800.223.4139, ext. 6644. Back to top |
| Don't Forget to R.S.V.P. for the Annual Meeting |
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Thursday, October 2, 2008
The Alliance Annual Meeting: The Nuts and Bolts (and Legal How-Tos) of Carrots and Sticks
Join us for our annual business meeting to hear a review of the 2008 Fiscal Year, take a look forward, and elect the 2009 Board of Directors.
You also won't want to miss our guest speakers (see sidebar). They'll discuss how to implement and manage strategic wellness and incentive programs that:
- Engage more than 80% of the workforce
- Create positive health outcomes
- Meet current legal standards
Questions? Contact Meg Robertson, 608.210.6642.
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| New Alliance Web Site: www.the-alliance.org |
If you haven't stopped by The Alliance's new Web site, make sure you visit today. It features our new logo and brand identity and is designed so that employers, their employees, and other business partners can navigate it with ease.
Visit today for these helpful features:
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| ... and Don't Forget about the Employer Resource Center |
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 The Employer Resource Center is the place members can find exclusive resources to help them actively manage their employees' health. Business partners with a mutual client can also access this information.
To access the Employer Resource Center on the new site, visit www.the-alliance.org and click on "Members", then choose Employer Resource Center from the Left panel.
This Month, Check-Out Healthy Living Benefits
To promote healthy lifestyles, The Alliance offers discounts on a wide variety of health clubs and fitness centers as well as hearing aid centers; alternative medicine practitioners; nutrition and weight loss organizations; and yoga and karate facilities.
There is no sign-up necessary to receive benefits. Employees are automatically eligible for the discount. They simply show their medical ID card with The Alliance logo to the participating establishment to earn their discount.
To access the list of participating facilities, visit our Employer Resource Center and select Health and Fitness Discounts from the Employee Health and Education drop-down menu.
If you have questions or need additional information, please contact our membership services team at 608.276.6620/800.223.4139 or via e-mail at mms@the-alliance.org.
If you do not have or know your password to the Employer Resource Center, call Jen Linden, 608.210.6635, or 800.223.4139, ext. 6635, and she will assist you.
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| QualityCounts for Employees |
- Choosing the Right Hospital
It's important for employees to know how to choose the hospital that's right for them in a non-emergency situation.
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| News You Can Use |
The Alliance highlights health care and benefit management news for employers in News You Can Use with a link to take you to the original story or report.
- New Studies and Reports Affecting Health Care
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| About the Agent and Consultant Briefing |
Each month, The Alliance Agent and Consultant Briefing delivers the latest news to insurance agents and consultants about Alliance services, programs and events as well as information on health benefit trends, issues, and ideas of interest to our mutual clients. Subscriptions are available on a complimentary basis. To subscribe, please send an e-mail message with your name and agency to the Sales and Member Services Department. Read past issues of this newsletter on-line at www.alliancehealthcoop.com/ReportsResources/InsuranceAgents.htm.
Reader comments, suggestions, and topics are always welcome.
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| About our Annual Meeting Speakers |
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Rebecca K. Kelly, PhD, RD, CDE
Director, Department of Health Promotion and Wellness
The University of Alabama
Kelly will share her practical approach to engaging more than 80% of your workforce in wellness programs, while also yielding favorable outcomes that impact the bottom line.
Jeffrey Zimon, Esq.
Chair, Employee Benefits and Compensation Department
Co-Chair, ERISA Litigation Group
Benesch, Friedlander, Coplan & Aronoff LLP
Zimon will share the legal perspective on how to make the most of incentive programs, including the impact of HIPAA, legally promoting programs, and practical guidelines and operational considerations.
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The Alliance encourages employers to distribute the