Employers' Forum of Indiana

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Issue 34

Dear Forum Friends,

We are excited to bring you this issue of the Employers’ Voice. In addition to sharing healthcare price information, we have added multiple resources from our sister business coalitions and plenty of articles to keep you current on all things healthcare. Happy reading!

Gloria Sachdev
President and CEO, Employers’ Forum of Indiana

Inside the Forum

Directions and Success Factors in Onsite, Near-site and Virtual Health Centers

NAWHC and EFI invite you to participate in the 12th Annual Forum, August 22 & 23, 2024, at the Conrad Hotel in Indianapolis, IN.

NAWHC is the nation’s only trade organization focused on helping employers and others understand the potential and value of onsite health services, as well to enable existing employer clinics to increase their capabilities and integration of other worksite programs and benefits. Members include employers and their vendor and provider partners. The conference is expected to have nearly 200 participants. For more information, click here.

Presentations

Over the past few months, Gloria Sachdev was invited to give presentations regarding market and policy ideas to advance transparency, affordability, and competition to the following organizations:

  • July 10th: National Alliance of Health Care Purchasers Coalitions
  • May 1st: New York City Department of Health plus Office of Labor Relations
  • June 20th: HR Policy Association

EFI Award Nominations

We are currently taking nominations for our Innovation in Healthcare, and Leadership in Healthcare Awards. Both awards will be presented at our November 2024 All-Stakeholder Meeting. You are welcome to self nominate or nominate someone. Please send nominations to Sara Otte at sara@employersforumindiana.org.

Sage Transparency

Love Transparency? Visit Sage Transparency 2.0 to compare commercial price and quality metrics for over 4,000 U.S. hospitals and price data for over 2,000 ASCs with the click of a button. See some example graphics from Sage Transparency below!

Access Sage Transparency
Indiana Top Health Plans Event

Register Today – August 6, 2024 Conference

Kynexions in collaboration with Health Rosetta and local affiliates invite you to the Indiana Top Health Plans event on August 6th at the Forum Events Center. This gathering is dedicated to showcasing award-winning benefits plans offered by Indiana employers and municipalities.

Additionally, Gloria Sachdev will be receiving an award on behalf of the Employers’ Forum of Indiana, along with providing a short presentation. Register today at this link.

Sister Healthcare Coalition Roundup

National Alliance of Healthcare Purchaser Coalitions (NAHCPC)

Webinar: Employer Case Study: A Focus on Prevention, Vaccines and Misinformation

Date: August 20th from 12:00 – 12:45pm ET

Registration: Link (Complimentary Webinar)

Overview: This webinar enables employers to get ahead of respiratory virus season with two employer case studies that highlight proactive measures proven to be successful in promoting prevention strategies, activating vaccination initiatives, and combating misinformation in the workplace.

Purchaser Business Group on Health

Webinar: 2024 Maternal Health & Birth Equity Summit

Date: September 18th from 10am – 6pm ET (8am – 4pm MT)

Registration: Link (Forum Employer Members can email Sara Otte for a discount code for complimentary registration)

Overview: This summit will bring together employers, public purchasers, providers, plans, patients, and government agencies to discuss strategies to address maternal morbidity and mortality, eliminate disparities and improve birth outcomes. This event is a call to action. Attendees will walk away with clear steps that they can take (both individually and collectively) to positively impact the future state of U.S. maternity care.

Purchaser Business Group on Health

Webinar: Keeping Up with the Ever-Changing Landscape of Obesity Management

Date: September 18, 2024 from 9:30am – 5:00pm ET (8:30am – 4:00pm CT)

Registration: Link, (Employer Non – MBGH Member Registration Fee: $100)

Overview: In today’s workforce, combating obesity is paramount for fostering employee health and well-being. The changing landscape of treating obesity as a disease demands strategic attention from employers. Employers are increasingly being asked to consider pharmacological interventions along with traditional behavioral health programs to manage obesity in their employee population. The question for many employers is, “Can this be done in cost-effective manner?” Join MBGH to explore fresh perspectives on implementing a holistic, inclusive and cost-effective obesity management strategy within your organization.

Member Spotlight

Ashley Pitzen

Ashley Pitzen

Human Resources Manager Compensation & Benefits, Fort Wayne Community Schools

What do you find the most rewarding about your current position?

I would have to say that knowing that Fort Wayne Community (FWCS) schools is providing valuable benefit options to employees. Our employees do not have to have to worry about whether or not their providers are in-network and covered. My hope is that by taking that off their plate, they can focus on the students. I enjoy the collaboration with our brokers and vendor partners in helping to educate our employees on the best options for their families during their different seasons of life. If I can retire knowing that we saved employees and taxpayers money while still giving a multitude of options, I will have succeeded. 

How has being a member of the Forum helped you further align payment with value for healthcare services?

When FWCS joined the Forum, I was relatively new to employee benefits and the public sector. Because of the Forum, I now have an extensive list of people that I can call to ask questions or brainstorm an idea. The Forum has taught me invaluable information, it could be hearing pharmacy strategies, information for experts in the industry, or collaboration with peers. I leave every Forum meeting feeling recharged with a list of ideas. The Forum has also helped put us in touch with other coalitions and we have shared educational resources. Using the things I have learned from the Forum allows FWCS to better utilize our data and how we can incorporate that into our plan design to create the best options for employees.

What is your favorite vacation spot and why?

This is a tough one! It could be two. If I am looking for a short vacation I love New York City. I love the touristy Times Square and going to shows on Broadway. The talent that the performers have is inspiring. If I am looking for a relax and recharge vacation, I love South Haven, Michigan. Growing up, my grandpa had a boat and the slip was there. We would drive up and spend weekends out on the lake and sleeping on the boat. There is nothing like a Lake Michigan sunset and it is the ultimate relaxation spot. 

In the News

Employers:

Public Health:

Hospitals:

Providers & Physicians:

Insurance:

Pharmacy:

Policy:

Other Healthcare News

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