Hancock Health enrolls staff in population health pilot program

0
521

HANCOCK COUNTY — Hancock Health is rolling out a program to help its own employees take charge of their health.

Hancock Physician Network, the largest health-care provider in Hancock County, on Dec. 10 will start a coordinated population health effort for all of its employees at doctors’ and specialists’ offices, said Hancock Physician Network CEO Rob Matt.

“As Hancock Health, we recognized additional attention was needed to our associates, due to steadily rising health-care costs, and that’s why we’ve introduced the first few of several disease management programs,” said Sally Carlton, population health director for Hancock Health.

Some 1,500 employees under the company’s health insurance will be given a standard health and wellness screening, which will include both tests of health indicators like blood sugar and cholesterol as well as questions about things such as tobacco use, Carlton said.

For those staff members whose tests come back showing they need improvement, or those who use tobacco, physicians and staff members will work to connect them with resources to take action and prevent hospital stays, she said. Those who participate in the initiative will receive an incentive of “wellness cash,” which they may use as they please, though they’ll be provided with recommended areas they can use it in, Carlton said.

Dr. Lori Deemer will lead the disease management programs, which those who qualify may choose to participate in. They will be provided with health coaching and guidance throughout the process, Carlton said.

Hancock Health, which comprises Hancock Regional Hospital, the Hancock Wellness Centers in Greenfield and McCordsville and physicians offices, has been implementing a population health model since 2016. Population health focuses on factors outside medical care that contribute to a person’s health before they seek help at the hospital.

The strategy aims for prevention of illnesses and preventing hospital stays, especially for people with chronic diseases like COPD, heart disease or diabetes, officials said.

The effort to help Hancock County get healthier has included the creation of Healthy 365, an initiative to promote healthier living in the areas of workplace wellness, mental fitness and the availability of healthier choices. Teams and task forces of people from different areas of the community have worked together since 2016 to brainstorm and create opportunities for change in areas where the county could stand to improve, including its smoking rates, exercise options and access to healthy food.

In addition, the creation of the system of care coordinator position took the effort to improve the community’s mental health options a step further, creating a task force to survey mental health and substance abuse treatment organizations in the county and the people they serve to identify what’s available and how to better connect patients with services.

Carlton said the newest program aims to improve every participant’s overall health.

“We want to improve the experience within our health-care system, decrease health-care costs for each person and create more joy in the workplace,” she said. “Our primary responsibility is to assist our associates and their families… through wellness initiatives, disease management programs, medical oversight and health coaching.”

[sc:pullout-title pullout-title=”How it works” ][sc:pullout-text-begin]

Employees under the company’s health insurance will receive a standard screening on key indicators such as blood sugar and cholesterol. They also will be asked about things such as tobacco use. 

For those staff members whose tests come back showing they need improvement, or those who use tobacco, physicians and staff members will work to connect them with resources. Those who participate in the initiative will receive an incentive of "wellness cash," which they may use as they please, though they’ll be provided with recommended areas they can use it in. 

[sc:pullout-text-end]