SAN DIEGO, Oct. 7, 2008 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- American Specialty Health (ASH), one of the nation's leading health improvement organizations, was named among the 100 "best places to work in healthcare" by Modern Healthcare magazine. The new program recognizes innovative health care workplaces that inspire employees to provide customers with the best possible care and services.
ASH was recognized for "walking the talk" of a modern, progressive health care and wellness company. In addition to traditional medical, dental, and vision benefits, ASH employees receive access to the wide range of health improvement programs that the company makes available to its 13 million-plus members nationwide. This includes ASH's Healthyroads Coaching(r) Programs for Weight Management, Tobacco Cessation, and Healthy Living. Employees can even earn rewards for exercising by participating in ASH's Exercise Rewards(tm) Programs, and take advantage of popular health care treatments such as chiropractic, acupuncture, massage therapy, and other offerings.
In addition to its benefits, ASH also offers employees perks such as:
* Fun and creative health challenges, including the 2008 "Go
Green With Your Routine" walking competition. ASH employees
collectively logged over 70,962,027 steps. That's roughly
equivalent to walking around the world -- and then some!
* Holiday health challenges that encourage employees to maintain
weight from November through January.
* Healthy vending machines where all items are approved by
registered dietitians and subsidized by ASH -- employees pay up
to 50 percent off retail prices. No junk food is sold onsite!
* An annual Get Healthy! Award presented to the employee who made
the biggest healthy living improvements. The winner is recognized
at ASH's annual corporate awards banquet and receives one week's
salary, a desktop award, and a corporate awards winner T-shirt.
"We're proud of our commitment to wellness -- both internally with our employees and externally with our nationwide clients," said ASH chairman and CEO George DeVries. "It is an honor to be recognized by Modern Healthcare and to be in the company of such other dynamic organizations."
To determine its list of best workplaces, Modern Healthcare entered into a partnership with the Best Companies Group, a Harrisburg, PA-based firm that conducts regional "best places to work" programs across the country. On behalf of Modern Healthcare, the Best Companies Group collected information from both the employer and employees of the participating group. Employers completed a survey detailing company policies, practices, benefits, and demographics. Employees were asked an in-depth set of questions that resulted in an analysis in eight core areas: leadership and planning, culture and communications, role satisfaction, working environment, relationship with supervisor, training and development, pay and benefits, and overall satisfaction.
Earlier this year, ASH received a Gold "Best Employers for Healthy Lifestyles" award from the National Business Group on Health and was named one of America's 15 fittest companies by Men's Fitness magazine. In 2007, the California Task Force on Youth and Workplace Wellness awarded ASH a silver Fit Business Award. And, in 2006, ASH was named among San Diego's best places to work by San Diego Business Journal and San Diego Magazine.
Modern Healthcare will reveal the ranking of the 100 Best Places to Work in Healthcare, from 1 to 100, in a special supplement to be published on Oct. 27.
About American Specialty Health
American Specialty Health Incorporated (ASH) provides specialty benefit programs, fitness programs, health coaching and incentives, Internet solutions, and worksite wellness programs to health plans, insurance carriers, employer groups, and trust funds nationwide.
Based in San Diego, ASH has over 600 employees and covers more than 13.4 million members in specialty benefit, fitness, and coaching programs. For more information, visit ASH online at ASHCompanies.com or call 800.848.3555.