STEVENS POINT and WAUSAU, Wis., and CHICAGO, Dec. 19 /PRNewswire/ — HealthPlus, a newly-formed health insurance network by the Portage County Business Council (PCBC) and the Wausau Region Chamber of Commerce, has selected Destiny Health, a pioneer of the consumer-directed health care model, as its insurance plan provider, effective January 1, 2007.
HealthPlus, a competitive regional network serving 11 counties in central and northern Wisconsin chose Destiny Health as the exclusive carrier for this network for their consumer-directed health care model that would provide a sustainable solution to the health care needs of businesses large and small. The plan engages consumers in their health care purchasing decision and promotes and rewards healthy behaviors through the fully-integrated rewards- based wellness program, The Destiny Health Vitality Program(TM), where members earn points (Vitality Bucks(R)) as they complete fitness, lifestyle, prevention or education activities that lead them to healthier lifestyles.
“The formation of PMC HealthPlus, coupled with the accessibility to The Destiny Health Plan, is exciting to employers in the region,” says Roger Luce, President of the Wausau Region Chamber. “Not only do they provide a great solution to the crisis of rising health care costs, Destiny Health’s robust wellness program, Vitality, also means employers from businesses of all sizes can finally have the ability to have some form of control over the cost of their health care.”
Jeff Landin, Executive Director of the Portage County Business Council, agrees that businesses in the Portage County area are excited about consumer- directed health care that’s integrated with a health savings account and a wellness program. “We have always had the means to improve our health in the community, but we don’t necessarily take advantage of them. The incentives of the The Destiny Health Vitality Program will influence action to follow intent, and I believe this will make a difference in our effort to battle the ever-increasing cost of health insurance.”
The Vitality Program has also partnered with local businesses to provide members in the area the opportunity to work on their wellness and fitness goals. The first among these partnerships is one with the YMCAs in north- central WI, specifically in Wausau/Weston, Stevens Point, South Wood County and Marshfield. This will benefit members through dues subsidies and other membership perks at these centers.
Under the partnership, beginning January 1, 2007, plan members who exercise at these YMCA locations will receive a subsidy that ranges from 20 to 90 percent or more from Destiny Health on monthly membership dues based upon the member’s Vitality Status (Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum). With each workout, Destiny Health Plan members can earn Vitality Bucks(TM) that they can redeem for Vitality Rewards(R) (i.e. airline miles, vacation packages, name brand merchandise and more).
“Destiny Health is pleased to partner with HealthPlus and the YMCAs in north-central Wisconsin,” says Art Carlos, CEO of Destiny Health. “These partnerships offer area residents the opportunity to receive superior yet affordable health care and to also achieve their fitness goals from their Vitality participation with membership discounts at the selected YMCA locations. This is aligned with our commitment to provide our members a great experience with the seamless integration of the health and wellness components of our consumer-directed health plan.”
“It is not common to find a health insurance company that treats both health and wellness with equal dedication,” said Tom Jackson, CEO of Woodson/Wausau YMCA. “We feel The Destiny Health Vitality Program(TM) is something that the residents of north-central Wisconsin are ready for. Here at the YMCA, we are happy to partner with Destiny Health to bring this exciting new program to the residents and to be part of the change in how they view and experience their health and, essentially, their ‘vitality.'”
About HealthPlus
The Portage County Business Council (PCBC) and the Wausau Region Chamber of Commerce recognize the challenges businesses face in offering high quality, yet affordable, health care to their employees and therefore formed HealthPlus, a competitive regional network across 11 counties in the central and northern Wisconsin region. As a sustainable solution, PCBC and the Wausau Region Chamber have approved The Destiny Health Plan as the exclusive carrier for this network. For more information, visit http://www.destinyhealth.com/healthplus .
About Destiny Health
Destiny Health’s innovative consumer-directed health plan is designed to make people healthier and enhance and protect their lives, by balancing comprehensive health insurance coverage with incentives that motivate active participation in health care and reward healthy behaviors.
Destiny Health’s consumer-focused strategy is modeled after Destiny Health’s parent company, Discovery, an international life and health insurance company that has successfully enrolled over 1.8 million members in its medical plan since 1992. Combined, Destiny Health and Discovery are the largest providers of consumer-directed health care in the world.
Destiny Health has forged partnerships with some of the most respected and recognized names in the health and wellness field to help extend the reach of its consumer-directed health plan. The Destiny Health Plan is currently marketed by The Guardian Life Insurance Company of America in Illinois, Virginia, Washington, D.C., Maryland and Texas. It is also available in Wisconsin through independent brokers. In addition, Destiny Health Plan members enjoy robust perks through partnerships with Life Time Fitness, Curves and other regional and local fitness facilities.
To learn more, visit http://www.destinyhealth.com/ .About the YMCA
The YMCA, Young Men’s Christian Association, is the largest non-profit community service organization in America. As of 2005, there were 2,617 YMCA’s across United States with 20.2 million members. The mission of the YMCA is “To put Christian principles into practice through initiatives that build a healthy spirit, mind and body for all.” The YMCA’s financial assistance policy ensures that no one is turned away for inability to pay.
The YMCAs in north central Wisconsin offer a variety of programs for people of all ages. Each facility has state-of-the art cardiovascular and strength training equipment and also offers a wide variety of aerobic classes ranging from PIYO, Ballroom dance, cycling to REP Reebok. The amenities don’t stop there though; as each YMCA also has an aquatic center offering swim lessons, a gymnasium for youth sports and basketball programs, drop-in child care, and summer camp. The YMCAs in north central Wisconsin are not just gyms, they are a community.
