Highmark recognized as an employer leader in integrated health

PITTSBURGH, March 26, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- At a presentation in Orlando, Fla. today, Highmark Inc. received the national Value-Based Health Award from the Institute for Health and Productivity Management (IHPM). Annually, the IHPM recognizes employers who invest in the most effective health benefit plans and health improvement programs.

"We are very proud to receive this recognition. National winners are selected for building 'cultures of health' that make employee health central to their corporate values and business strategy," said Anna Silberman, Highmark's vice president of clinical client relations. "As a national diversified health and wellness company, Highmark prioritizes data driven, comprehensive health and wellness programs and interventions that have achieved remarkable results."

According to Silberman, a significant part of Highmark's health management strategy is to decrease the prevalence of health risk while improving employee health status, productivity and engagement. Highmark accomplishes this through strategies that engage 91 percent of the employee population.

The criteria which earned Highmark this prestigious recognition included an evaluation of the company's culture of health, as well as process, implementation and program design. Additional elements included program measurement, provider and stakeholder relations, and communications and branding that impacts employee population health, and the health of dependents.

Highmark's overall population health strategy is fully supported by the company's chief executive officer and senior executives who provide consistent sponsorship and advocacy. These strategies include health promotion, disease prevention, risk reduction and productivity improvement. The most effective strategies are shared and replicated with Highmark clients as "best practices."

The clinical and financial results of Highmark's employee wellness program were confirmed in a study which was published in The Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. With this proven, scientific evidence, Highmark has collaborated with its employer partners to follow suit.   

Significant outcomes of the program today include a steady reduction in tobacco usage rates. Also, clinical preventive exams rates rose from 51 percent in 2009 to 91 percent in 2012 through a packaged comprehensive rewards program. Highmark is committed to innovation and leads the industry in the development, implementation and replication of strategies that work in many workplace environments.

SOURCE Highmark Inc.