HMSA’s HealthPass program has received the prestigious C. Everett Koop Award presented in
Washington D.C. The national award recognizes excellence in innovative programs that
measurably impact employee health while significantly reducing employer and employee
health care costs.
Dr. C. Everett Koop, for whom the coveted award is named, held the post of Surgeon
General during the Reagan Administration. He is currently chairman of The Health
Project, a White House initiated public-private partnership of health care leaders
dedicated to improving individual, family, and community health with programs that
are also proven to reduce overall costs.
"The Koop Award is one of the most prestigious awards in the
preventive health care field," stated Sherry Franklin, former ISI Director
of Business Management Services.
"The Koop Award transcends other national awards in that it is based on statistical
data that validates return on investment, risk reduction and measurable health
improvement," said Franklin.
"The honor – which recognized only two other organizations nation-wide — puts Hawaii
on the global map as a leader in ground-breaking healthcare initiatives."
HMSA’s HealthPass, a comprehensive health assessment and disease prevention program,
provides eligible HMSA members with annual basic screenings and one-on-one health
consultations at no cost, according to Caryn Ireland, ISI Health Enhancement Services
Vice President.
"HMSA’s HealthPass works with about 30,000 members each year at facilities statewide
and now offers services at selected workplaces around the state for added convenience,"
she noted.
So far the worksite results have been gratifying," Ireland said. "Eighty-three percent
of those who took part in the job site screenings had never participated in HealthPass before."
"Over a five-year period, health risk reductions among HealthPass participants were
found in several areas of health behavior and fitness," reported Dr. Gregory Park,
HMSA Medical Director, "and the program also showed savings in medical claims."
The HMSA HealthPass benefit is an outstanding value for HMSA Employer Groups as it is
incorporated right into the health plan.
"It was well worth it to have HealthPass here," said Miki Sugikawa, HR director at the
Honolulu Advertiser offices. "Our employee participation exceeded our expectations by a
large percentage."
Sugikawa also mentioned the convenience of the onsite health screening.
"We hope this will become an annual event," she said.
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