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Employers can trim health care cost Workshop explains method for reducing premiums by helping employees learn to stay well and avoid frequent visits to doctors By JOHN DARLING The spiraling cost of health care is an ailment that's treatable, Rogue Valley employers learned at a workshop held Tuesday at Rogue Valley Medical Center's Smullin Center. Using a method called "demand management," employers can reduce their health care premiums by helping their employees use their insurance less often, said Sharon Johnson, an assistant professor in family and community development at the Oregon State University Extension Service. Health care costs can be reined in by involving employees in simple, low-cost education; by helping them reduce risky behaviors such as smoking and fatty diets; and by encouraging them to reduce trips to doctors and emergency rooms by using medical case managers, Johnson said. Providing workplace health coverage in an atmosphere of skyrocketing medical costs is having an unusual effect nationwide, she said. Workers feel that, since it is so valuable, they should use it, she said. This increases caseloads and insurance costs for everyone and forces employers to make up their losses in other areas, such as salaries and other benefits. "It's human nature," Johnson said. "We're seeing people going to the doctor when it's not necessary. Some are going because they've known and respected their doctor all their lives and they may sense this is the only person they can really talk to. Some elders think it's just a good idea to see their doctor every month." Using demand management, employers can bite into the problem on several fronts, starting with educating workers on treatment of common symptoms, such as colds, nosebleeds and sore elbows. Both at home and on the job, workers should have access to a self-treatment guide such as the "Healthwise Handbook" by Donald Kemper. Use of such manuals nationally has resulted in about 16 percent fewer doctor visits, she said. At minimal cost, employers can provide brochures, posters, seminars and access to Web sites on self-care. The next step is peer counselors, support groups and nursing assistants (who can be reached by phone) as steps before a doctor visit. Demand management calls for employers to get involved in their employees' health care, Johnson said. This means addressing preventable risky behavior by confronting it, she said, finding out why the employee smokes, doesn't exercise, eats a fatty diet or is on multiple medications, then finding out what the employee needs in order to change that behavior. Employers also can set up exercise activities and on-site early detection programs for such diseases as osteoporosis and breast cancer. Under demand management principles, sick time is to be avoided, not used because it's there. This means calling employees at home on the second day they use sick time to inquire how they are and what they need to get healthy and back to work. "You'd be surprised about the impact of this; word gets around fast," she said. Nationally, Johnson said, use of demand management strategies has cut annual medical costs by $150 to $400 per employee. The seminar is part of a free, public series; the next one is in January. Johnson may be reached at 776-7371, Ext. 210. Employers, health care providers and insurers who took part in the series have set up an ongoing resource group under the leadership of Medford insurance agent Sally Densmore. She may be contacted at 770-5115 or [email protected]. On the net: www.moreinfo.healthwise.com. John Darling is a free-lance writer living in Ashland. E-mail him at [email protected] . Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.