Kaiser Permanente Launches Disease Management Unit
Kaiser Permanente has launched a subsidiary -- Kaiser Permanente Healthy Solutions -- to market disease management programs to large, self-funded employers, the East Bay Business Times reports.
Healthy Solutions will analyze employer claims data and other information to determine which program would be most likely to improve employee health. Programs will focus on employees with chronic health conditions who are at risk for needing more emergency care or having high-cost complications.
The programs will provide telephone health coaching, and online, video and printed materials to help people with chronic conditions manage their diseases more effectively. In addition, programs will include health education on nutrition, smoking cessation, stress reduction and other issues.
According to Healthy Solutions CEO Chris Stenzel, about 80% of employers with 5,000 or more workers are self-funded, and that percentage is increasing (Thomas, East Bay Business Times, 1/22).