Supporting PA Business, Industry Through Innovative Health Solutions

“Both Highmark and AHN have been very supportive of Plastek’s Wellness Works Program, which improves the health and well-being of our employees and their families,” says Dennis Prischak, president and chief executive officer of The Plastek Group. “Our overall workforce is better because of their support. We are pleased to be their partner.”

Zippo Manufacturing, headquartered in Bradford, Pennsylvania and well known for its trademark windproof lighters, also realizes how important health insurance is to its employees and their families.

“Employer-sponsored health coverage is essential for recruiting and retaining employees,” says Zippo Executive Vice President of Human Resources Alla Marie “Bunny” Comilla. “We work diligently with Highmark to ensure that we can continue to offer affordable coverage with access to excellent health-care providers and services.”

Pa Proud

Both AHN Saint Vincent and Highmark have a proud history in PA. While AHN Saint Vincent was founded by the Sisters of St. Joseph as Erie’s first community hospital in 1875, Highmark’s beginning dates back to the Great Depression era and the Blue Cross Blue Shield movement. In 1996, Highmark began conducting business in Western Pennsylvania as Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield and in the rest of Pennsylvania as Pennsylvania Blue Shield, partnering with three Blue Cross plans to provide complete coverage.

Today, Highmark is the largest health insurer in Pennsylvania with 4.7 million members and a footprint that includes 62 counties in western and eastern PA. That number is likely to grow as Highmark Blue Shield plans to offer customers located in Southeastern Pennsylvania a full suite of health insurance products and solutions including Medicare Advantage, Medicaid dual eligible, Individual Affordable Care Act, Small Group Affordable Care Act, Large Group Fully Insured, Large Group Self-Insured across 2024 and 2025, subject to regulatory filings.

“We place a strong emphasis on enhanced medical cost management and personal health navigation strategies,” says Teed, “and our customers recognize this.”

Revolutionary Model

Highmark is committed to reinventing health care through its Living Health model, which centers the experience on people and their clinicians to provide a more blended, personalized approach to health coverage and care.

Ben Edelshain, M.D., vice president of Clinical Engagement & Digital Innovation for Highmark Inc., describes it as a major shift in the health-care paradigm, moving away from insurance products or plans to an integrated health experience. “Living Health is a promise that if you become a Highmark customer, we will do our best to keep you actively engaged in your health to de-complicate the health-care system, and empower individuals and their families to make informed decisions that will help them achieve their life goals.”

“Highmark has been Plastek’s health insurance provider for more than 10 years and provides timely information in matters important to us and our employees.”

– Dennis J. Prischak, President and CEO The Plastek Group

This blended health approach provides for a seamless flow of information, support and care that connects payers, providers, tech innovators and community organizations to build a health ecosystem that works better for everyone. It is also about making the most of data and technology to bring the health experience into the 21st century.

In essence, Living Health means providing 360-degree support for physical, mental and social health. The result is a simpler, more personalized and proactive health experience for individuals and clinicians that promotes better engagement and everyday health rather than just treating illness.

“Our Living Health strategy is focused on improving both patient experience and health outcomes, while reducing costs,” explains Edelshain. “We believe the success of this strategy will help revolutionize the industry, providing a better, more sustainable economic model for all stakeholders, including employers.”

Digital Tools And Resources

Highmark and AHN have already invested in digital and virtual resources that are designed to enhance the continuity and delivery of care and coverage.

For instance, My Highmark, a digital health platform and collaboration between Highmark Health, Google Cloud and League makes it simple for individuals to navigate health care and connect to the right tools and resources when and where they need them.

The navigation technology is much like a “digital front door.” Using one username and password, My Highmark can provide seamless care navigation, shared care plans, virtual and digital health, simplified bill payment and cost transparency to Highmark members. Data guides consumers, connecting them with the right care at the right time, which ultimately improves health outcomes and overall population health.

Highmark and AHN also have introduced Well360 Motion, a virtual muscoskeletal care program powered by SWORD Health. The program pairs members with a licensed physical therapist, who assesses patients’ pain and tailors a program to their unique needs. Utilizing wearable FDA-listed motion sensors and the SWORD tablet to guide movement , physical therapists evaluate realtime biofeedback as members go through their exercise sessions.

“Exercises can be done at any time and place, eliminating common barriers to compliance such as travel time, scheduling conflicts, and out-of-pocket costs,” says Teed.

Occupational Health Experts

For more than 20 years, AHN Saint Vincent’s Occupational Health Center has been providing health services to employers in the region. That number has grown to 400 active employers in northwest PA and western New York, and a new $1.2 million office space, headquartered at the Yorktown Center, including a triage area, six exam rooms, a procedure room, X-Ray room, and audio booth for hearing tests, featuring state-ofthe-art Siemens technology.

Jen Ronan, manager of Occupational Health at AHN, says the program provides a broad spectrum of health services, including wellness and safety to employers and employees in the community. These services range from pre-employment health screenings and vaccinations to respiratory protection programs as well as Department of Transportation physicals to meet regulatory standards.

“Occupational health is constantly changing, and we are able to see manufacturers and what employers need and then we work with them on developing programs for their needs,” says Ronan.

Edward J. McVay, M.D., an occupational medicine physician, says AHN’s Occupational

“Zippo has a great variety of coverage options through Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield and finds that family coverage is generous for our needs. As a remote employee, Highmark is well spread in Maryland where I reside and their in-network provider locator on their site is easy to use, and whenever I reach out to them on the phone their staff is very friendly.”

– Hugo Michel, Executive Vice President of Global Sales, Zippo Manufacturing

Health program can support employers with anything from a replacement drug screen, drug screens and physicals to get rapid results.

The Center recently was recognized by Liberty Mutual for its return to work and referrals were higher than others in the area. “In terms of injuries, work-related injuries, we have ability to see the patients immediately or soon after they’re in an emergency department, get them in for evaluations, get the proper diagnosis or proper treatment implemented early,” says McVay. “Also, if we need to make referrals, we can get that moving pretty quickly so there’s not a lag in time in terms of getting the injured workers evaluated and treated or getting new employees into the workplace.”

Currently, McVay and AHN’s Occupational Health team are working on a marijuana impairment program for employers who suspect that their employees may be impaired on the job. The program, once implemented, would be the first one of its kind in the country.

“We just want to ensure the health, wellness and safety of all the employees in the area, and we will work with employers on whatever that looks like,” says Ronan. “We’re on the back end, always researching and seeing what else we can be adding to help out.”

For more information about Highmark and AHN Saint Vincent, visit highmark.com and erie.ahn.org.