ODS and OHSU Team Up to Offer Worksite Wellness Programs
With the goals of health risk reduction, disease prevention and health enhancement, The ODS Companies (ODS) and Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) have partnered to form ODS Wellness — a service for ODS medical groups and members. Businesses across the nation are implementing worksite wellness programs, empowering employees to achieve better health and increasing productivity. ODS and OHSU are helping to lead these efforts.
ODS Wellness includes online or mail-in personalized health assessments; personal health nurses who answer questions and work one-on-one with members to develop a custom health program based on their needs; and professionally trained coaches who motivate members through the journey to better health.
“ODS is proud to join forces with OHSU and integrate our wellness program with their award-winning wellness services,” said Dr. Csaba Mera, Medical Director, The ODS Companies. OHSU was recently honored as Best Wellness Vendor by Health Industries Research Companies (HIRC), an independent organization that conducts health care market research.
The ODS Wellness program launched on Nov. 1 as an option for ODS medical members, encouraging individuals to address a broad range of physical, behavioral health and lifestyle issues, including physical activity and fitness, diet and nutrition, behavioral health, stress and chronic disease management. The program integrates industry-leading evidence-based wellness services from OHSU Health Management Services with ODS’ URAC-accredited disease and case management programs. ODS Wellness uses motivational interviewing, the only coaching method available that is evidence-based.
“ODS Wellness will offer interventions that incorporate the best of behavior change science,” said Susan Butterworth, PhD, Director, OHSU Health Management Services. “Our state-of-the-art health risk assessment and health coaching are designed to empower individuals to make choices that lead to better health.”
The program is based on evidence that prevention and outreach consistently cost less than treatment for an illness or disease that has gone undiagnosed or been ignored. “ODS Wellness is a win-win for the employee and the employer,” said Dr. Mera. “By focusing on prevention, ODS helps employers reduce sick time and disability leave, reduce long-term medical expenses and increase productivity.” Through ODS Wellness, companies can reach out to healthy employees who want to stay well in addition to individuals who are struggling with their health and want to get better.
The wellness programs are guided by specially trained personal health nurses. Employees can access services through an easy three-step process that identifies important health issues and connects employees to the best resources available to address those issues:
Personal Health Assessment: Members take a 15-minute survey (online or mail), answering questions not only about their health status, but also their readiness to change and their perceived ability to change. The results are compiled into a personal health report that is sent to the member and forwarded to a nurse.
Personal Health Call: As part of this unique, one-on-one service, a personal health nurse follows up with the member to answer questions, help prioritize their health goals, and create a custom health plan recommendation.
Path to Wellness: Next, wellness coaching, resources and services are available. The wellness coaches are specially trained in smoking cessation, weight loss or maintenance, enhanced fitness, behavioral health, stress reduction, and/or managing a chronic disease, and spend approximately 45 minutes on the initial call to discuss the member’s goals and questions and concerns. If the member chooses to enroll, the wellness coach calls to follow up, supporting them and encouraging them as they work to achieve their health goals.
ODS has partnered with OHSU because of its proven reputation in the field of wellness. Since implementing its wellness services nearly 10 years ago, OHSU has successfully tracked improvement in individuals’ behavioral and physical health. Their services have had a significant impact on risk factors such as high cholesterol and blood pressure, and coronary disease.
About OHSU Health Management Services (HMS)
OHSU HMS offers employer groups and health plans a comprehensive set of solutions for lifestyle management of populations, across the continuum of health promotion. They have become a leading expert on motivational interviewing-based health coaching — offering training, consulting, and services in this area. For more information visit www.ohsu.edu/hms/.
About ODS
ODS is a multi-faceted organization that provides medical, dental and professional liability insurance products, along with a variety of business services including benefits administration. ODS serves more than 750,000 members. Founded in 1955, ODS is Oregon ‘s leading dental plan and one of the state’s leading medical plans. ODS is a founding member of the Delta Dental Plans Association, the nation’s largest and most experienced dental benefits provider. ODS is headquartered in Portland and has offices in Medford, Milwaukie and La Grande, Oregon, as well as in Anchorage, Alaska. For more information, visit www.odscompanies.com.