The Oct. 2 edition of the New England Journal of Medicine features a commentary by Brian Rank, M.D., medical director of the HealthPartners Medical Group, which criticizes a new trend in executive perks. The commentary, Executive Physicals – Bad Medicine on Three Counts, points out that executive physicals fail on three important factors: effectiveness, cost and equity. Executive physicals, which typically cost $2,500 and up are a set of preventive screenings aimed at corporate executives. The screenings take place over one or two days and also include amenities such valet parking, fruit, juice, bath robes and slippers. While some of the screening services offered in executive physicals meet recommended guidelines, many do not and are nothing more than retail revenue sources for the organizations that offer them.
WHAT: Commentary in the Oct. 2 edition of the New England Journal of Medicine WHO: Brian Rank, M.D., medical director of the HealthPartners Medical Group. WHEN: Tues, Oct. 2, 2008 CONTACT: Joe Dangor, 952-883-5223 Pager: 612-613-4527 [email protected]
About HealthPartners
Founded in 1957, the HealthPartners (www.healthpartners.com) family of healthcare companies serve more than one million medical and dental health plan members nationwide. It is the largest consumer-governed, nonprofit health care organization in the nation, providing care, coverage, research and education to improve the health of members, patients and the community. For the third year in a row, HealthPartners is rated one of the best commercial health plans in the nation by U.S. News & World Report/ NCQA’s “America’s Best Health Plans 2007” and is ranked “Highest in Member Satisfaction among Commercial Health Plans in the Minnesota-Wisconsin Region” by J.D. Power and Associates.
Comments