BOISE, Idaho, Sept. 12, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- American Specialty Health (ASH), the nation's leader in complementary health care, is giving Idaho employers a new opportunity to provide their employees with insurance benefits for complementary and alternative health care. The coverage makes popular treatments such as chiropractic/manual manipulation, acupuncture, massage therapy, and dietetic counseling more accessible and affordable for employees.
Employers with 51 or more employees can purchase these benefits directly from American Specialty Health Insurance Company (ASH Insurance), a subsidiary of ASH, as a supplemental group benefit, similar to purchasing vision, dental, or behavioral health coverage.
Employers are increasingly eager to offer complementary health care coverage for a variety of reasons, according to George DeVries, chairman, president, and chief executive officer of ASH. "The challenge every employer is facing today is the ability to reduce health care costs," said DeVries. "Complementary health coverage is not only less expensive than traditional coverage, but it can help reduce employee medical utilization and the overall cost of health care."
According to a recent study published in the Archives of Internal Medicine, employees with chiropractic insurance coverage had 41 percent fewer hospitalizations for back pain than employees without chiropractic coverage. They also had 32 percent fewer back surgeries and significantly lower utilization rates for CT/MRI scans and X-rays than employees without chiropractic insurance.
"These kinds of reductions in utilization can result in substantial cost savings," added DeVries. "When you combine that with the ability to purchase these plans for just pennies on the dollar, you have a compelling argument for purchasing complementary health plans."
Employers also buy complementary health coverage because of the growing demand for non-traditional health care. According to a recent Centers for Disease Control study, 36 percent of consumers use some sort of complementary or alternative therapy. And in a 2005 Consumer Reports survey of 34,000 readers, consumers preferred hands-on therapies such as chiropractic treatment over conventional therapies -- including prescription drugs -- for back and arthritis pain.
"Today we are living in a consumer-driven world," said Douglas Metz, D.C., chief health services officer for American Specialty Health. "Consumers don't want one choice of health services any more than they want one choice in restaurants or one choice in movie theaters. Today's health care is about customization. While some people may prefer to take a prescription drug to feel better, others want a more natural approach, through acupuncture or chiropractic care or dietary changes. This demand for custom-tailored health care is driving the growth of complementary health services and the insurance programs that make these choices affordable."
"Unfortunately, most traditional health plans have not kept abreast of consumer demand for alternative therapies," added DeVries, "so consumers have been spending more than $12 billion a year from their own pockets to obtain these therapies. Specialty insurers like ASH are making these therapies more available and more affordable."
Employees covered by ASH Insurance can access a state-wide network of contracted acupuncturists, chiropractors, dietitians, massage therapists, medical doctors, and osteopathic physicians. Insureds who travel out of state also have access to a national provider network. The benefits are available for both in-state and out-of-state employees.
ASH is the nation's leading specialty benefits organization for complementary health care, providing health benefits, health education, affinity networks, and wellness programs to employer groups, trust funds, health plans and insurance carriers nationwide. Based in San Diego, ASH has more than 500 employees and covers more than 12 million members in benefit programs nationwide. Its subsidiary, ASH Insurance, is licensed or admitted as an insurer in 43 states and the District of Columbia. For more information, visit ASHCompanies.com or call 800.848.3555.
The American Specialty Health logo is available at http://www.primezone.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=2357