Published on October 6, 2010 at 9:02 AM
The results may influence health care across the nation. "By studying worker productivity-not just health outcomes-we're addressing a key issue from the employer's perspective," Dr. Grossman said. "Purchaser interest in this approach is growing, and Group Health is planning new value-based insurance products for the market."
Co-investigator Paul Fishman, PhD, an associate investigator at Group Health Research Institute, brings expertise in health economics to the study.
"This evaluation will help us understand how to improve these products, and stay competitive," Dr. Fishman said. "Through Total Health, Group Health is implementing and evaluating innovative delivery and payment models."
"This is an exciting pilot whose goal is to demonstrate improved health and productivity for our workforce," said Cindy Johnson, Group Health's executive vice president, human relations.
Total Health parallels the health care reform law that President Barack Obama signed in March 2010. Like Total Health, national health care reform promotes free preventive care services such as tests for chronic illness, routine vaccinations, and prenatal and well-child visits. Group Health Research Institute's evaluation of Total Health is in keeping with the mission of the AHRQ, which is part of the Department of Health and Human Services and promotes research on evidence-based treatment decisions that improve the country's health care quality, safety, efficiency, and effectiveness. The first progress report from the study is scheduled to be available in 2011.
Source: Group Health Research Institute