MedCost Benefit Services Participates in Employer
Wellness Seminar

Sharon Lambros, Chief Operating Officer for MedCost Benefit Services, was a featured speaker at the Carolina Healthcare System’s Employer Wellness Seminar held June 13, 2008, at the Ballantyne Resort in Charlotte, North Carolina. Her presentation, entitled “Creating a Culture of Health & Wellness,” outlined the benefits to employers of developing and implementing successful health and wellness programs for their employee populations.

If you want to know more about MedCost’s comprehensive, step-by-step plan for creating a workplace culture focused on health and wellness, please contact your account representative for information.

MedCost Benefit Services Welcomes Two New Staff Members

Mary Ellen Haynes comes to us with over 13 years experience in the health care and health insurance industries. Most recently, Mary Ellen worked as the Benefits Administrator at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts, administering their various benefit plans and retirement programs. Prior to that, she served as the Corporate Compliance Officer with Sterling Healthcare in Durham, NC, where her primary responsibilities included developing their Code of Conduct, developing/delivering training on the Code and HIPAA, and handling all compliance violations.

Our clients will greatly benefit from the wealth of knowledge and expertise in compliance issues that Mary Ellen has cultivated from her past positions as Compliance Coordinator for Partners National Health Plans, Government Programs Compliance Manager for QualChoice, and Director of Regulatory Affairs for High Point Regional Health System.

Mary Ellen’s hobbies include flower gardening, cooking and baking, and spending time with her two grown daughters, two granddaughters, and seven step-grandchildren. She and her husband Elwin live in Surry County near Mt. Airy where they have started their own small vineyard.

Thad Brown brings over 10 years of experience in the health care industry to his new position with MedCost Benefit Services. Thad came to us from Trinity Healthcare Development, where he served as the Managing Director of a healthcare technology and life science venture fund focused on the Carolinas. Prior to that, Thad co-directed the Metrolina Health Initiative, a regional program aimed at decreasing the number of uninsured in NC.

Thad’s additional experience as a Service Line Manager, Network Development Coordinator, and Administrator of a Medicaid pilot program for the NorthEast Medical Center will make him a valuable resource for our clients.

Thad has a BA in History and a Masters in Health Administration from UNC Chapel Hill. He recently moved to Winston-Salem from Charlotte, with his wife Kathryn and their two sons, and enjoys hiking, running, and fishing.

Enhancing Your Online Experience

Big changes have taken place recently at www.mbstpa.com. In addition to enhancing functionality and navigation, we’ve added more details about our products and services and served it all up with a brand new look. But don’t worry, you can still access the secure site to search for providers, inquire about claim or payment status, check flex account balances, submit express requests, and everything else that you’re familiar with.

With the improved functionality, members can print Eligibility HIPAA Certificates; submit information online for Student Status, Accident Details, Coordination of Benefits, and Subrogation; and view any changes they have made to their coverage under Eligibility History.

In addition to enjoying the same enhancements available to members, employers can access their reports, billing, check reconciliation, and registers online; and customize how they segment their participants for online enrollment, i.e., by division, department, or benefit plan/package. Soon you’ll also be able to view the cumulative total of all payments applied toward deductible.

Our Web site revamp is part of our commitment to bring simplicity to health care benefits administration while providing the absolute best service possible for our customers. The new design and navigation allow you to find the information you need, faster and easier than ever.

We’re excited to share these new enhancements with you, and we hope you’ll let us know what you think.

New Behavioral Health Programs Available

For clients already using MedCost’s HRA and lifestyle management programs, there are three new behavioral health programs available at no additional charge. Effective October 1, 2008, members who participate in the Succeed™ Health Risk Assessment (HRA) available through MedCost's partnership with HealthMedia, may be referred to one of the following web-based programs to manage these specific health conditions:

Overcoming™ Insomnia addresses the cumulative, long-term effects of sleep loss and sleep disorders and helps individuals develop new habits to promote healthy and restful sleep. Participants learn relaxation techniques and strategies to keep stress and negative thinking from interfering with sleep. Overcoming™ Insomnia is shown to help participants sharply reduce or eliminate their use of sleeping pills. People in the program also experience a 30-minute increase in their average nightly sleep time and a 27% reduction in fatigue levels.

Overcoming™ Depression addresses the misconceptions many people have about depression and evaluates lifestyle habits that may contribute to the condition. Participants learn symptom management and coping strategies to change negative thought patterns and beliefs and build motivation. Those participating in the program saw a 14% increase in their confidence to manage their depression.

Overcoming™ Binge Eating helps individuals stop binge and compulsive eating by examining their personal relationship with food. Participants learn to identify triggers to anticipate and prevent binge episodes while unlearning bad eating habits to develop a healthier, more positive relationship with food. This program has been used successfully by thousands of people throughout the world, with participants reporting a 40% reduction in binge frequency and significant reductions in depression and anxiety.

Using a unique combination of behavioral science and technology, these programs teach participants the skills and knowledge they need to take control of their health in a convenient, accessible manner.

Personal Health Record Available Online

Effective January 1, 2009, a new interactive, online tool will be available to groups as they renew their health and wellness program contracts with MedCost Benefit Services.

In partnership with MediKeeper, MedCost offers members the opportunity to play a more active role in their health care by creating a secure, online Personal Health Record (PHR) through the Members portal of our Web site. Maintaining your own PHR is the best way to keep your vital health information current and easily accessible. MedCost’s PHR interface is interactive and engaging, so it is easy for members to update their personal information. In addition to storing information on providers and insurance, members can also access tools to track and graph important health measures like blood pressure, cholesterol, weight, and blood sugar. An integrated medication manager provides automatic warnings on harmful drug interactions and side effects, and an emergency solution ensures that emergency personnel have access to critical information.

Personal health records can contain information that your doctor may not have which can affect the quality of care you receive, such as drug allergies and adverse reactions; current medications and dosages, including over-the-counter remedies and herbal or dietary supplements; a complete family medical history; lab results and x-ray/imaging reports; vaccination records; and any illnesses, surgeries, hospitalizations, and procedures.

Since each of your medical providers keeps their own files regarding your condition and any treatment you receive, your medical information may be spread among several different locations and facilities. A personal health record can help save time and money by reducing or eliminating duplicate tests and procedures and informing providers of other treatments and drug prescriptions. It also offers easy access to your health care information at any time, even when you travel.

2008 Client Golf Outing

MedCost Benefit Services hosted its annual Client Golf Outing on October 2, 2008, at Meadowlands Golf Course in Wallburg, North Carolina. The 26 participants enjoyed picture-perfect, Carolina blue skies for the tournament and a luncheon catered by Carter Brothers’ Barbecue. The winners from the event are listed below.

2008 Client Conference

MedCost Benefit Services held its 7th successful Client Conference on May 28, 2008, at the Grandover Resort in Greensboro, North Carolina. Representatives from over 30 different client organizations enjoyed presentations on MedCost’s various program options. Special guest presenters from HealthMedia, CVS/Caremark, and Womble Carlyle Sandridge & Rice also discussed productivity impairment problems, drug trends, and wellness and the law. The conference concluded with a laughter-filled keynote address from Jeanne Robertson, an award-winning humorist who advised all attendees to laugh at themselves and look for humor every day.