FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:
Valerie Chowning, Membership Director
Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce
500 Franklin Street
Columbus, Indiana 47201
(812) 379-4457

Learn more about these benefits


Chamber Offers New Spectrum of Healthcare Benefits

COLUMBUS, INDIANA— The Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce has assembled a suite of healthcare benefits delivered through a collection of third-party providers that offer access to a spectrum of services for any size business including those who currently don’t offer these benefits to their employees.

The suite of member benefits includes: enrollment assistance into the Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP) for uninsured adults, health and wellness program discounts though Columbus Regional Hospital and Business Resource Group, pre-tax health savings accounts (HSAs), and Prime Care Choice discounted health insurance through SIHO Insurance Services.

The newest component of the suite of healthcare services is the introduction of a member benefit which provides access to a nurse practitioner clinic that provides a low-cost, subscription-based, healthcare program at a substantial discount for Chamber members.

Workplace Occupational and Wellness, Inc. is a nurse practitioner operated facility that is dedicated to helping employers find different options when it comes to rising healthcare costs. Kimberly Mills, FNP-C, owner of Workplace is providing a cost effective alternative for health and wellness programs to companies as a way for them to invest in their employee’s health and to increase employee retention.

Companies pay for the health and wellness program through a monthly subscription, meaning there is no out-of-pocket expenses for the employees. With the Chamber discount, partial programs can be as low as $25.00 per employee per month. The cost for the total health and wellness program can be as low as $40.00 per employee per month. The employer may choose to include spouses and dependents; for an additional family rate fee. 

The Workplace monthly subscription program includes access to primary healthcare, occupational injury treatment, small procedures such as laceration repairs, monthly health screenings, and wellness programs. 

When discussing the discounted benefit, Chamber President, Jack Hess stated, “This is a true market-based health-care innovation. By removing a lot of the overhead traditionally associated with a medical-delivery model and by focusing on the most commonly treated illnesses, this approach makes healthcare available to a large number of small businesses and industries who have not been able to access such services in the past. The wellness program component takes a proactive step by viewing health from a holistic perspective and the clinic will help to remove some of the capacity burden from within the current system.”

A nurse practitioner is a board-certified nurse who has advanced nursing education and training in diagnosing and management of common medical conditions. They can be certified in the areas of pediatrics, geriatrics, family, psychiatry and acute care. Nurse practitioners work regularly with collaborating physicians to provide top quality healthcare to individuals across the life span.

The spectrum of healthcare benefits will assist companies by helping their employees become healthier producing a more motivated and productive workforce. The benefits can also help to control direct and indirect costs by decreasing absentee and employee turnover. Utilization of the programs can contribute to fewer overall healthcare claims being filed by employees and can also help to reduce the number of non-emergency visits to the Emergency Room.

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Organizations and programs mentioned in this release:

Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce engages its members in the pursuit of excellence and economic growth by fostering an innovative business environment and a world-class community. In 2008, it will be celebrating its 100th anniversary as the premier business leadership organization within the Columbus Area. It is the recipient of the 2008 Indiana Chamber of the Year Award.

Workplace and Occupational Wellness, founded in March of 2008, is a nurse practitioner healthcare clinic located in the Sims Plaza, on Marr Road. Workplace provides same day appointments with on-time visits. The clinic is open M-F 8:30a.m. to 5:00p.m. Some of the primary services provided are:

• Diagnosis and treatment of acute illnesses, infections, and injuries
• Diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring chronic diseases (e.g., diabetes, high blood pressure)
• Obtaining medical histories and conducting physical examinations
• Ordering, performing, and interpreting diagnostic studies (e.g., lab tests, x-rays, EKGs)
• Prescribing medications, physical therapy and other rehabilitation treatments
• Providing health maintenance care for adults, including annual physicals
• Workplace wellness programs, including counseling and educating patients on health behaviors, self-care skills, and treatment options

SIHO Insurance Services was formed with the vision to provide affordable health care benefits for local communities. Partnering with the local medical community and employers, SIHO endeavors to raise the standard of health care and the quality of life of the community. Today, SIHO is a dominant insurance company, providing a wide array of health insurance packages.

Business Resource Group is a division of Centerstone (formerly Quinco Behavioral Health Systems) which is a private, not-for-profit behavioral health organization. It has been providing quality, consumer-oriented and accessible behavioral health services to south central Indiana for over 50 years. Centerstone of Indiana has over 600 employees and an operating budget of $40 million. It serves nearly 20,000 clients each year. It also participates in the operation of a psychiatric inpatient service through a joint venture with Columbus Regional Hospital.

Columbus Regional Hospital is a regional referral hospital serving multiple counties in southeastern Indiana. They offer medical specialties and services that allow individuals to stay closer to home, without having to drive miles away to a metropolitan area.

Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP) is for uninsured Hoosier adults between the ages of 19-64. Services include: physician services, prescriptions, diagnostic exams, home health services, outpatient hospital, inpatient hospital, hospice, preventive services, family planning, and case and disease management. Contributions are made by the State and each participant (based on ability to pay).

This press release is provided for educational and marketing purposes only. Member health benefits listed above are provided to Chamber members by third parties as a benefit of membership. The Chamber is not involved either directly or indirectly in the provision of health care to individuals or businesses; derives no compensation from those services; and, has no direct or indirect control over the type, scope or quality of those services.