http://www.meritain.com/ RSS Feed for the complete web site. en-us Meritain Health 20 Jun 2007 00:00:00 EST http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss QuantumCMS 3.0 http://www.meritain.com/files/images/template/logo.gif http://www.meritain.com 79 230 RSS Feed for the complete web site. http://www.meritain.com/Home/Resources/Newsroom/ThoughtLeaders/PresenteeismtheSilentProductivityKiller Presenteeism is a growing problem in the workplace, and employers should take note. Dr. Luter, CMO, explores presenteeism versus absenteeism, mental health and presenteeism, and the relationship between physical and mental health. 12 May 2008 00:00:00 EST http://www.meritain.com/Home/Resources/Newsroom/ThoughtLeaders/PresenteeismtheSilentProductivityKiller http://www.meritain.com/Home/Resources/Newsroom/InNews/WellnessProgramCheckup Since wellness programs were introduced to the workplace more than 30 years ago, colleges and universities have offered employees a variety of free health perks and programs. Learn more about the ROI for these programs is determined. 06 May 2008 00:00:00 EST http://www.meritain.com/Home/Resources/Newsroom/InNews/WellnessProgramCheckup http://www.meritain.com/Home/Resources/Newsroom/InNews/HealthCareandNestEggs In a survey of Best’s Review subscribers, Consumer-Driven Health Plans was a hot topic. Learn more about the survey and what Janice Rahm had to say about consumerism and the common misconceptions that exist. 07 Apr 2008 00:00:00 EST http://www.meritain.com/Home/Resources/Newsroom/InNews/HealthCareandNestEggs http://www.meritain.com/Home/Resources/Newsroom/InNews/EmployeesRally Published by Best Practices in Compensation and Benefits, the article,"Employees Rally to Support Local Relief Effort After Bridge Collapse," on page 3, features a case study on the Meritain Health's response to the tragic event in Minneapolis, MN. 26 Mar 2008 00:00:00 EST http://www.meritain.com/Home/Resources/Newsroom/InNews/EmployeesRally http://www.meritain.com/Home/Resources/Newsroom/InNews/LargestAdministrators Business Insurance ranks Meritain Health as the largest privately held employee benefits administrator. 24 Mar 2008 00:00:00 EST http://www.meritain.com/Home/Resources/Newsroom/InNews/LargestAdministrators http://www.meritain.com/Home/Resources/Newsroom/InNews/RateHikesforSpecificStopLoss Meritain Health's Richard Bukovinsky is joined by two clients in discussing cost control with Business Insurance magazine. 24 Mar 2008 00:00:00 EST http://www.meritain.com/Home/Resources/Newsroom/InNews/RateHikesforSpecificStopLoss http://www.meritain.com/Home/Resources/Newsroom/Newsletters/NewsletterArticles/CarrotVersusStick National healthcare costs have risen to well over one trillion dollars a year, due in part to Americans’ unhealthy habits. In an effort to reduce long-term costs, many organizations are searching for ways to inspire employees year-round to lead healthier lifestyles, and wellness programs can be a way to do just that. 25 Feb 2008 00:00:00 EST http://www.meritain.com/Home/Resources/Newsroom/Newsletters/NewsletterArticles/CarrotVersusStick http://www.meritain.com/Home/Resources/Newsroom/InNews/GreatWestHealthcareProviderNetwork Meritain Health said Wednesday it signed an agreement with Denver based Great-West Healthcare to give Meritain clients access to Great-West’s national provider network. The network includes more than 4,275 hospitals and 578,000 doctors. 24 Jan 2008 00:00:00 EST http://www.meritain.com/Home/Resources/Newsroom/InNews/GreatWestHealthcareProviderNetwork http://www.meritain.com/Home/Resources/Newsroom/InNews/StayHealthyin2008 Listen to hear Dr. Larry Luter's recent interview on NPR's Stay Healthy in 2008 semgment. Original airing: January 23, 2008, Discover Wisconsin. 23 Jan 2008 00:00:00 EST http://www.meritain.com/Home/Resources/Newsroom/InNews/StayHealthyin2008 http://www.meritain.com/Home/Resources/Newsroom/News/StrategicCollaborationwithGreatWest Meritain Health will provide clients with access to Great-West Healthcare’s national provider network. The extended resource platform is another example of how Meritain Health is using its size and strength to create compelling health plan offerings for its clients. 23 Jan 2008 00:00:00 EST http://www.meritain.com/Home/Resources/Newsroom/News/StrategicCollaborationwithGreatWest http://www.meritain.com/Home/Resources/Newsroom/Newsletters/NewsletterArticles/PreventiveCareYourKey We’ve heard it before. “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” In fact, many of us have learned this lesson the hard way. 14 Jan 2008 00:00:00 EST http://www.meritain.com/Home/Resources/Newsroom/Newsletters/NewsletterArticles/PreventiveCareYourKey http://www.meritain.com/Home/Resources/Newsroom/InNews/WaronWorkplaceObesity "Any company moving into this area has to consider what employees think is unreasonable or an invasion of privacy," says Janice Bellace, a professor of legal studies and business ethics at Wharton. 11 Jan 2008 00:00:00 EST http://www.meritain.com/Home/Resources/Newsroom/InNews/WaronWorkplaceObesity http://www.meritain.com/Home/Resources/Newsroom/ThoughtLeaders/StrategiesforaHealthyWorkforce Strategies exist for businesses searching for ways to inspire employees to lead healthier lifestyles and reduce costs through wellness programs. Dr. Larry Luter shares his insights. 05 Dec 2007 00:00:00 EST http://www.meritain.com/Home/Resources/Newsroom/ThoughtLeaders/StrategiesforaHealthyWorkforce http://www.meritain.com/Home/Resources/MeritainPodcasts/ManagingHealthBenefitCosts The national currently spends trillions of dollars on healthcare. Join Tracie Canby, healthcare cost management expert, to learn about what's causing this staggering spending--and what you can do to protect your bottom line. 01 Dec 2007 00:00:00 EST http://www.meritain.com/Home/Resources/MeritainPodcasts/ManagingHealthBenefitCosts http://www.meritain.com/Home/Resources/Newsroom/InNews/VulnerabletoDepression Researchers also have found a great awareness of the problem of stress in the workplace, but see little help being offered by employers. 28 Nov 2007 00:00:00 EST http://www.meritain.com/Home/Resources/Newsroom/InNews/VulnerabletoDepression http://www.meritain.com/Home/Resources/Newsroom/InNews/SavingstheReason Waldo County's commissioners Tuesday selected a health insurance provider for employees that could save taxpayers $100,000 or so next year. 16 Nov 2007 00:00:00 EST http://www.meritain.com/Home/Resources/Newsroom/InNews/SavingstheReason http://www.meritain.com/Home/Resources/Newsroom/InNews/NowtheStick Employers frustrated with mounting health-care costs for their workers have tried dangling a carrot to discourage bad habits. Now some employers are beginning to brandish a stick. - The Washington Post 13 Nov 2007 00:00:00 EST http://www.meritain.com/Home/Resources/Newsroom/InNews/NowtheStick http://www.meritain.com/Home/Resources/Newsroom/Newsletters/NewsletterArticles/ExerciseanActiveIngredient Leading a sedentary lifestyle affects an individual’s health and is a burden on public health and healthcare costs, affecting the well-being of health plans. Chronic diseases and obesity usually receive most of the attention as the cause of this burden. 08 Nov 2007 00:00:00 EST http://www.meritain.com/Home/Resources/Newsroom/Newsletters/NewsletterArticles/ExerciseanActiveIngredient http://www.meritain.com/Home/Resources/Newsroom/InNews/LowerWorkerStressRaiseRetention New rounds of studies are advising that stress and mental health can affect productivity in the workplace and sharply impact retention. 31 Oct 2007 00:00:00 EST http://www.meritain.com/Home/Resources/Newsroom/InNews/LowerWorkerStressRaiseRetention http://www.meritain.com/Home/Resources/Newsroom/InNews/EmployersLosingWaronStress A new survey says most companies do not adequately address the mental health needs of their employees. 30 Oct 2007 00:00:00 EST http://www.meritain.com/Home/Resources/Newsroom/InNews/EmployersLosingWaronStress http://www.meritain.com/Home/Resources/Newsroom/News/ConnectionBetweenMentalHealthandProductivity Survey shows nearly half of employees aren’t aware of their mental health benefits; more than a third would be more likely to use these benefits if their employer promoted them. 29 Oct 2007 00:00:00 EST http://www.meritain.com/Home/Resources/Newsroom/News/ConnectionBetweenMentalHealthandProductivity http://www.meritain.com/Home/Resources/MeritainPodcasts/MentalHealth Dr. Larry Luter, Meritain Health Chief Medical Officer, discusses the prevalence of behavioral and mental health conditions in the workplace and the significant impact these conditions have on the corporate bottom line. 15 Oct 2007 00:00:00 EST http://www.meritain.com/Home/Resources/MeritainPodcasts/MentalHealth http://www.meritain.com/Home/Resources/Newsroom/InNews/NewWaveRetirementPlanning Rising health care costs and longer lifespans probably will mean more people will have to embrace health care consumerism while in retirement, giving employers a different avenue in promoting health savings accounts. 01 Oct 2007 00:00:00 EST http://www.meritain.com/Home/Resources/Newsroom/InNews/NewWaveRetirementPlanning http://www.meritain.com/Home/Resources/Newsroom/InNews/EmployersGetToughonHealth Get ready to say goodbye to the days of high-fat meals, junk food snacks and that after-work cigarette you always enjoy smoking -- at least if you intend to have a job and health insurance. 24 Sep 2007 00:00:00 EST http://www.meritain.com/Home/Resources/Newsroom/InNews/EmployersGetToughonHealth http://www.meritain.com/Home/Resources/Newsroom/News/MeritainAnnouncesNameChange Move allows Meritain Health to strengthen brand recognition, national presence and innovative health benefits and wellness products. 17 Sep 2007 00:00:00 EST http://www.meritain.com/Home/Resources/Newsroom/News/MeritainAnnouncesNameChange http://www.meritain.com/Home/Resources/Newsroom/InNews/WhereThereisSmoke By implementing one of the most aggressive approaches to eradicating a significant public health concern, Howard Weyers has set the bar for addressing tobacco use within American business. 14 Sep 2007 00:00:00 EST http://www.meritain.com/Home/Resources/Newsroom/InNews/WhereThereisSmoke http://www.meritain.com/Home/Resources/MeritainPodcasts/ObesityaGrowingProblem An interview with Dr. Larry Luter exposes the serious consequences of obesity on personal health, workplace economics and the healthcare system. 10 Sep 2007 00:00:00 EST http://www.meritain.com/Home/Resources/MeritainPodcasts/ObesityaGrowingProblem http://www.meritain.com/Home/Resources/Newsroom/News/MeritainRankedAmongTopTen Meritain Health has been ranked eighth among the top ten largest consumer-driven health care providers by Business Insurance magazine. 28 Aug 2007 00:00:00 EST http://www.meritain.com/Home/Resources/Newsroom/News/MeritainRankedAmongTopTen http://www.meritain.com/Home/Resources/Newsroom/News/LaunchesNewCommunicationTools Meritain Health today announced the launch of a series of new communication tools to educate health plan members about its Healthy Merits wellness program, as well as to encourage and promote healthier lifestyles. 23 Aug 2007 00:00:00 EST http://www.meritain.com/Home/Resources/Newsroom/News/LaunchesNewCommunicationTools http://www.meritain.com/Home/Resources/Newsroom/InNews/FineTuningConsumerDrivenHealthPlans With a few years of experience under their belts, employers and health plans are adjusting their consumer-driven health plan offerings in an attempt to make them more attractive to plan sponsors and employees. 13 Aug 2007 00:00:00 EST http://www.meritain.com/Home/Resources/Newsroom/InNews/FineTuningConsumerDrivenHealthPlans http://www.meritain.com/Home/Resources/Newsroom/InNews/LargestConsumerDrivenHealthPlans Business Insurance ranked Meritain Health as the 8th largest CDHP providers based on 2006 employee lives. 13 Aug 2007 00:00:00 EST http://www.meritain.com/Home/Resources/Newsroom/InNews/LargestConsumerDrivenHealthPlans http://www.meritain.com/Home/Resources/Newsroom/InNews/CardPlease With the rise of consumer-directed health plans and flexible spending accounts, there's no doubt that medical debit cards represent the future of speedy payment for healthcare needs. 25 Jul 2007 00:00:00 EST http://www.meritain.com/Home/Resources/Newsroom/InNews/CardPlease http://www.meritain.com/Home/Resources/Newsroom/Newsletters/NewsletterArticles/HeavyHeavyEverywhere The most recent data from the National Center of Health Statistics shows that 30 percent of U.S. adults are obese -- 60 million people. The percentage of overweight youth in America has more than tripled since 1980. 17 Jul 2007 00:00:00 EST http://www.meritain.com/Home/Resources/Newsroom/Newsletters/NewsletterArticles/HeavyHeavyEverywhere http://www.meritain.com/Home/Resources/Newsroom/News/FindingsonBiometricScreenings Meritain Health today revealed the results of a recent biometric screening assessment – highlighting productivity and cost implications surrounding undetected health conditions. 28 Jun 2007 00:00:00 EST http://www.meritain.com/Home/Resources/Newsroom/News/FindingsonBiometricScreenings http://www.meritain.com/Home/Resources/Newsroom/InNews/GetUpandRunWithWellness More employers than ever before are looking for help in designing and administering health promotion programs for their employees. 27% of employers will be using health promotion programs as their primary cost-cutting strategy over the next two years. 26 Jun 2007 00:00:00 EST http://www.meritain.com/Home/Resources/Newsroom/InNews/GetUpandRunWithWellness http://www.meritain.com/Home/Resources/MeritainPodcasts/WellnessintheWorkplace Listen to learn what top execs should know about absenteeism, wellness, and their bottom line. Listen to an interview with Meritain Health's CMO, Dr. Larry Luter, as he talks about how to make wellness work in the workplace. 20 Jun 2007 00:00:00 EST http://www.meritain.com/Home/Resources/MeritainPodcasts/WellnessintheWorkplace