ATLANTA, June 12, 2012—In today’s tough economic climate, companies of all sizes seek innovative ways to lower their health and benefit costs and comply with health care laws without sacrificing employee morale. Now in its 3rd year, The Institute for HealthCare Consumerism’s (IHC) FORUM West conference, held on September 6-7 at Las Vegas’ Red Rock Casino Resort Spa, promises to bring employers real, actionable solutions to the problems of skyrocketing health costs, disengaged employees and rapidly changing health care legislation. Industry experts Dr. Wendy Lynch, Ron Bachman and Dr. John Reynolds will deliver the event’s opening keynote address, “The Journey to HealthCare Consumerism.”
Dr. Lynch, co-director for the Center for Consumer Choice in Health Care at the Altarum Institute, researches health and benefit arrangements that encourage high employee performance, and result in mutual gain for corporations and their workers. She will speak on the importance of incentivizing employee wellness, and being transparent with employee consumers regarding health care expenses.
Dr. Reynolds oversees strategic marketing, sales, product development, operations and technology. A noted employee benefits, electronic commerce and financial services thought leader, Dr. Reynolds will discuss how technology is helping to advance the adoption of health care consumerism across the country.
Ron Bachman, senior fellow at the Center for Health Transformation and president of Healthcare Visions, will recount the history of health care consumerism. Mr. Bachman will also offer his insights on the future of this trend, particularly as it relates to the controversial Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) and the upcoming presidential election.
One of five general sessions, FORUM West’s opening keynote address focuses on preparing employers to transition smoothly to consumerism plans while preparing for potential changes to PPACA. A cutting-edge business strategy, healthcare consumerism can include the adoption of health savings accounts, incentive programs, flexible spending accounts and corporate wellness initiatives—all of which have been proven to reduce health care costs and improve employee wellbeing. While the FORUM’s onsite medical and legal experts will analyze the court opinion, the health care consumerism trend is expected to grow regardless of June’s Supreme Court decision.
“We’re thrilled to have Ron, Wendy and John as part of FORUM West,” says Doug Field, IHC founder and CEO. “Our goal every year is to invite the foremost industry leaders to speak at our event, so it was only fitting that we’d ask these three to be our keynote speakers. Their combined 75 years of employee performance, technology and government experience will be invaluable to the FORUM audience.”
FORUM West’s other general sessions include:
• Health Care Reform: A Potential Pothole on the Journey to HealthCare Consumerism
• Health Care Cost Transparency — Right to Know
• Population Health Management Panel
• Employer Panel: What HealthCare Consumerism Means to You
To learn more about the FORUM and access highlights of April’s IHC FORUM East in Atlanta, visit www.theihccforum.com
or tune in weekly to Health Care Consumerism Radio at http://healthcareconsumerismradio.businessradiox.com. [http://healthcareconsumerismradio.businessradiox.com.]
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Stay on the cutting edge of health and benefits management. Industry experts Dr. Wendy Lynch, Ron Bachman and Dr. John Reynolds will tell you how. Join us for their opening keynote address, “The Journey to HealthCare Consumerism,” at The Institute for HealthCare Consumerism’s FORUM West conference in Las Vegas, Sept. 6-7, 2012. Register today at www.theihccforum.com.
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3 powerhouse speakers kick off IHC FORUM West in Vegas #PPACA #Obamacare #IHCFORUM #RedRock #consumerism www.theihccforum.com.
About the IHC FORUM
The Institute for HealthCare Consumerism’s FORUM East and FORUM West conferences are the only national events 100 percent dedicated to innovative health and benefits management. Through 24 cutting-edge workshops, five general sessions and numerous networking opportunities, attendees get relevant insights from industry thought leaders and policymakers on how to cut costs, engage employees and comply with current health care laws. The FORUM allows HR professionals, brokers, consultants and health plan administrators to share leading practices, exchange ideas and arrive at real, implementable solutions.