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Labor/Management Healthcare Coalition of the Upper Midwest

Enhanced programs. Healthier outcomes.Newsletter of the Labor/Management Healthcare Coalition Third Quarter 2011 Edition

In this issueLetter from the Director 2Moving Towards a Value Based Health Care Plan Design 3A Report from the LMHCC of Wisconsin 4The Burchfield Group: Pharmacy Update 5CVS Caremark 6Catalyst RX 6

Health Dynamics 7Physicians Neck & Back 7CDI - Center for Diagnostic Imaging 8Epic Hearing Health Care 8VSP® Vision Care 9Caregiving Resources and Long Term Care Insurance 10Northwest Respiratory Services 11

LMHCC 11th Annual Meeting

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Letter from the Director:

Dear Members,

Hope everyone is enjoying our long overdue summer weather. It has been a very active first half of 2011.

New developments:

We have carefully selected our new Prescription Benefit Manager (PBM) thru our RFP process, as announced, Burchfield Group Inc. was chosen. I continue to be impressed with their service, along with many of our funds and with Mr. Greg Bigwood, please see their article on page 5. We have received many requests for cost comparisons from our member funds and possible new funds.

New to the LMHCC product list this year, we have added Northwest Respiratory Services. We are receiving interest in there offering to our members with a reduced price; please see their article on page 12.

In March of this year, I had an opportunity to present and speak at a session at the IFEBP’s Healthcare Management Conference, “Will health care reform negate the need for coalitions?” As I presented, the answer was no, there is even more need. Please see article by Mr. Peter Rosene on page 3, on Value Base Healthcare and how the LMHCC can help.

New Video’s attached to the LMHCC website, we have posted three videos on our home page and About Us page, please view these at LMHCC website. We have been working on these for the last year with Motion Picture Inc., in an effort to give everyone a fresh perception and added testimonials for the LMHCC on how the Coalition has assisted funds. Also, we have an educational video attached to our, “Long Term Care”, product page. This is a must see, to understand what caregiving really is and how it affects our funds and members.

A special thank you to all our sponsors to the successful 11th Annual LMHCC Meeting, please see page 10, which was held on April 8th. Highlights were many great presentations, updates and door

prizes, ending with a reception and tour of the LaborCare Health Fair area, which was held the next day at the Mpls. Convention Center, where over 5,000 attended. A special thank you to all our sponsors it was a great 2 day event!

In closing, we have received many requests for a Stop Loss Program, I am pleased to report, this effort is moving forward at the National Labor Alliance (NLA) level, which I also serve as there Executive Director. I believe we will have a great opportunity to achieve deeper discounts for all of Labor at a national level, which the LMHCC can benefit from. As always, I would like to thank the LMHCC Members for the opportunity to serve you, this is a great Coalition, and we all benefit from your input. We currently have 2 openings for executive committee management members so if you have a management trustee within your fund and they are willing to serve, please reach out to the coalition office!

Have a safe and healthy summer.

By: Doug Rubbelke, Executive Director, LMHCC

C o n ta C t :

Doug RubbelkeExecutive Director

Office: (651) 379-2405Direct: (651) 379-2408Cell: (651) 398-4039 Fax: (651) 379-2407drubbelke@lmhcc.org

Director Rubbelke and LMHCC Management Co-Chair, Gary Thaden

www.labormanagementcoalition.org3

Moving Towards a Value Based Health Care Plan Design

Employee Benefits practitioners of all stripes are currently awash in information regarding “value based health care

design”. The concept is loosely defined, and evolving. Simply stated, value based design (VBD) recognizes that value equals quality over price (Value=Quality/Price).

For trusts that are involved in the purchase and delivery of health care services for groups, it means that in each phase of contracting for services, plans strive to push the equation in our relationships towards value. For those utilizing health care, it means becoming more engaged in understanding the quality and the price of care that we receive in an effort to stay healthy. As our life spans increase, which statistically shows no limits, it will be increasing important to suppress the speed at which disease develops.

Most of our current health care plan designs are based in old “one size fits all” models that evolved in the 1960’s and 1970’s. These designs did not differentiate services that were particularly effective in reducing the incidence or progression of disease from those that are not particularly effective. These designs have been perpetuated, without much thought being given to how design drives both utilization and quality. As such, health care spending does not get directed toward care that has been proven to improve the quality of life of plan participants, and decrease demand for services.

The practice of medicine has evolved rapidly. There are emerging insights into how we can intervene, in cost effective

ways, to slow the growth of disease within our covered populations with the use of “high value” services. These “high value” services help reduce both current demand for services and the erosion of health. For instance, it is well known that the use of medication to control blood pressure and cholesterol prevents a wide range of disease that is costly to treat. Despite that, we do little to try to help plan participants achieve successful compliance with simple medication plans, even though it is in their best interests and can dramatically decrease the future demand for services. We still do poorly in screening for diabetes affecting our plan participants, even though it is now estimated that one in ten adults in the world are diabetic. Simple measures to control blood glucose in diabetics can provide huge returns, both in terms of quality of life, and in terms of demand for expensive services. Focus, in plan design, needs to be on decreasing both the current cost of care and the future demands for service. Reward behavior that enhances value and remove barriers to effective health care. Provide disincentives to the use of low value services that do not lead to effective resolution or control of a medical problem.

Medicare contracting is moving in the direction of value based health care plan design. Watch for these contracting and delivery designs to be adopted in the general population. In the future, we will see “Medical Homes”, with advanced primary care delivery and “whole person” care coordination. We will see the development of “Accountable Care Organizations” that will be offering

bundled services that allow medical providers to either be at risk, or be rewarded, based on the outcomes of treatment, rather than the fee for service model that predominates today.

The work of the LMHCC grows ever more important in light of the VBD initiatives. Bringing the power of group purchasing and advocacy to VBD initiates ramps up value for plans in ways that they would not be able to achieve standing alone.

In sum, there is no such thing as a neutral plan design; each feature of our plans pushes and pulls the delivery of health care, which affects both quality and cost. If we are to achieve success in moderating our cost trends, we need to understand and experiment with programs that are aimed at value.

By: Peter Rosene, Taft-Hartley Attorney Felhaber, Larson, Fenlon, & Vogt

C o n ta C t :

LMHCC Office: (651) 379-2405Fax: (651) 379-2407drubbelke@lmhcc.orgtsontoya@lmhcc.org

Left to Right: Steve Barger, Bill Ecklund, Pete Obermeyer, Pete Rosene

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C o n ta C t :Joan Braun

Director of Operations, LMHCC of Wisconsin

(414) 476-5025joan.s.braun@sbcglobal.net

Wisconsin’s Health Care Coalition activity in recent months has been highlighted by visits to our state by Industry leaders knowledgeable and passionate

about addressing the need for education and change in how we personally address our health care needs.

It is our objective to continue to bring thoughtful information, education and data to Health Fund trustees. The purpose is to link cost control strategies with care outcomes. We hope to encourage trustees and fund participants to seriously address concepts which will bring about healthier life styles, improving quality of life while reducing overall costs of health care. In a healthy environment each of us is expected to take considerable responsibility for our well being. This includes exercise, proper diets, and commitment to proper care when illness and disease is being treated.

We extend our deep appreciation to Pete Rosene, Jim Hynes, Pete Kaehler and Mike Cook, all from Minnesota for their recent visits. We are grateful

for the information and encouragement they have provided to us.

The Burchfield Group Inc., a nationally-recognized leader in pharmacy benefit consulting and auditing and headquartered in Minnesota, has recently been contracted by the LMHCC – Upper Midwest to serve as coalition consultant working with us to assure we are receiving the best service and pricing from selected PBM vendors.

Greg Bigwood, the Burchfield Group consultant is scheduled to visit in Wisconsin in the near future to provide members an in-depth understanding of the company’s services and value to the coalition.

To-date we in Wisconsin have focused on the participation of member funds in the Pharmaceutical Programs offered through CatalystRx and CVSCaremark. We have focused on the PBM’s because they have consistently proven to be cost-saving for all our participating funds.

We welcome all Taft Hartley funds to consider the advantages of this member benefit.

In March the Coalition had a successful kick-off of its Round Table Luncheon for

fund administrators. All serving in the capacity for Taft Hartley Health Funds are welcome to participate in our quarterly luncheon meetings.

We are in dialog with the American Heart Association hoping to work together on upcoming programs including support of the AHA annual walk which can link with some components of a health fair. The objective again will be to educate, have fun and encourage families with their efforts to live healthy lives.

As I close I ask myself and I ask you “what can we each do better to keep ourselves healthy?” We are the big winners when we focus on good health.

Have a wonderful summer.

Hot off the press!

We have signed a one year contract with the American Heart Association (AHA) in a partnership working towards our common healthcare goals.

A Report from the LMHCC of Wisconsin By: Joan Braun, Director of Operations , LMHCC of Wisconsin

Doug Rubbelke Executive DirectorLMHCC of the Upper Midwest

Tonia (Toni) SontoyaAdministratorLMHCC of the Upper Midwest

William EcklundConsulting Legal CounselFelhaber, Larson, Fenlon & Vogt

Executive Committee Members of the Labor/Management Healthcare Coalition of the Upper Midwest

affiliate MemberJoan Braun Director of Operations LMHCC of Wisconsin

Labor MembersMike Cook, Co-ChairBricklayers Local #1

James MonroeMAPE

Don SeaquistUFCW #1189

Gary ReedLaborers Local #132

Management Members Gary Thaden , Co-Chair MN. Mechanical Contractors Association Trace Benson Old Dutch Foods Management Member Openings Available

Independent MemberMary Jost, CEBS

Emeritus Labor MemberRobert Deroy

www.labormanagementcoalition.org5

Pharmacy benefits typically represent up to 15% of plan costs. To help manage the

complexities and the costs, the LMHCC board recently selected The Burchfield Group as a partner for pharmacy benefit consulting.

Burchfield is a nationally-recognized pharmacy benefit consulting and auditing firm located in St. Paul, Minnesota. We help plan sponsors evaluate and select Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) vendors, design pharmacy benefit plans, monitor plan and PBM performance, and audit results. Current clients include many Fortune 500 corporations, large and small employers, and managed care organizations. But more than that, Burchfield has a large labor and trust practice and has touched over 1.1 million union lives.

Burchfield will be helping LMHCC to gain a better understanding of your pharmacy benefit needs and to increase your confidence that member groups are getting the “best deal” from PBM vendors. This will include negotiating the most competitive PBM contracts and working with member groups and prospects to ensure they have the most competitive deal possible. In addition, Burchfield will use LMHCC’s current claims data to independently monitor and audit plan and PBM performance to ensure that the PBMs live up to their contractual commitments.

For groups that are currently not in either the Catalyst or CVS/Caremark coalition arrangements, we are more than happy to discuss the savings that are available to you. Please contact Burchfield at the number below to discuss.

Going forward, we plan to use this article to provide you with not only updates regarding the LMHCC prescription benefit options, but also news regarding recent

developments in pharmacy benefits. If there are particular pharmacy benefits items that you would like to have covered as part of this article, please let me know.

Pharmacy Benefits In the News

Brands Going Generic in 2012

There is $30 billion worth of brand drugs moving to generics in the next 18 months alone, including blockbusters such as Lipitor, which goes generic this year. Across Burchfield’s book of business, these drugs account for 4.4% of claims and 8.5% of pharmacy costs.

A few of the drugs expected to have generic versions released within that timeframe are as follows:

This move to generics represents a rare savings opportunity. Because of exclusivity periods, the price on these new generics will not be significantly less than the brand right away. However, within 6 to 8 months of release, the pricing on the generic versions of these blockbuster drugs should be materially less than the brand price you are paying today.

Average Wholesale Price (AWP) Changes

AWP is the drug price index used by PBMs as a baseline for calculating discounts for plan sponsors. In September 2009, the main providers of AWP data, First DataBank (FDB) and Medi-Span, had to

change the way they calculated AWP as a result of a class action lawsuit settlement. At the same time, both indicated they would no longer publish AWP data beyond September 2011.

In 2010, Medi-Span reversed its decision to cease publication of AWP. As a result, most PBMs who used FDB are transitioning to Medi-Span before September 1, 2011. Coalition member groups with CVS Caremark received a letter from CVS Caremark in the last week or so announcing their intention to make this change. Coalition member groups with Catalyst will not be affected, as Catalyst currently uses Medi-Span as its source of AWP.

Burchfield has subscribed to both FDB and Medi-Span for several years and uses both for audits and analysis where appropriate. In anticipation of the move, Burchfield has performed an in-depth review of the impact of this change on plan sponsors. We have found that there is not a material difference between the two sources of AWP. In fact, in our review of brand drugs, we found the difference between the two sources to be less than 0.0002% of total AWP. The main difference in values is that FDB rounds values to five places and Medi-Span rounds to four places (i.e., a drug may have AWP of 3.04567 in FDB and AWP of 3.0457 in Medi-Span.)

Burchfield will continue to monitor the achieved discounts on behalf of member groups utilizing the AWP source that was used for adjudication to ensure that groups are getting the full benefit of the negotiated contracts.

The Burchfield Group: Pharmacy Update

Pharmacy Benefits In the News

Brands Going Generic in 2012 There is $30 billion worth of brand drugs moving to generics in the next 18 months alone, including blockbusters such as Lipitor, which goes generic this year. Across Burchfield’s book of business, these drugs account for 4.4% of claims and 8.5% of pharmacy costs. A few of the drugs expected to have generic versions released within that timeframe are as follows: This move to generics represents a rare savings opportunity. Because of exclusivity periods, the price on these new generics will not be significantly less than the brand right away. However, within 6 to 8 months of release, the pricing on the generic versions of these blockbuster drugs should be materially less than the brand price you are paying today. Average Wholesale Price (AWP) Changes

Trade Name Anticipated Launch Estimated US Sales ($M)

Tricor March 2011 $1.3 billion

Levaquin June 2011 $1.3 billion

Xeloda September 2011 $1.4 billion (Global)

Zyprexa October 2011 $2.5 billion

Lipitor November 2011 $5.3 billion

Lexapro March 2012 $2.2 billion

Provigil April 2012 $1.0 billion

Plavix May 2012 $6.1 billion

Actos August 2012 $3.3 billion

Singulair August 2012 $3.2 billion

Diovan (& HCT) September 2012 $2.5 billion

Atacand (& HCT) December 2012 $1.4 billion

C o n ta C t :Greg Bigwood

The Burchfield Group

(651) 389-5640gbigwood@burchfieldgroup.com

By: Greg Bigwood, LMHCC Pharmacy Consultant

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Catalyst Rx continues to show its commitment to Labor Management Health Care Coalition (LMHCC) clients by delivering the most care- and cost-effective pharmacy benefit management programs; most recently, through the expansion of the Catalyst Generic Advantage Plan.

The expanded Generic Advantage Plan was developed after more than a year of consultation with pharmacy, behavioral psychology and technology experts with the goal of lowering costs while improving care. The comprehensive, multi-pronged initiative deploys a series of customizable features, including Catalyst’s Formulary Advantage, financial incentives, targeted member outreach, the latest in smartphone technology and the

Company’s award-winning Price & Save web-based drug pricing look-up tool.

Results show that the combined features of the Generic Advantage Plan improve generic utilization and medication adherence substantially. The expanded plan was introduced in late 2009 on a limited basis and clients that implemented the pilot program experienced significant savings in 2010. On average, generic utilization increased ten percentage points and plan costs decreased by 16% across targeted drug categories within a year of initiating the plan.

As healthcare costs continue to increase, there is tremendous opportunity for plans and members to reduce their healthcare expenses by taking advantage of effective, low-cost medications, shopping for

lowest priced pharmacies and improving medication adherence. Ultimately, taking an active role in the management of healthcare expense can improve overall health and reduce medical expenses. The Catalyst Rx expanded Generic Advantage Plan will balance these factors for LMHCC and its clients, allowing them to achieve their lowest possible net cost.

It may seem obvious, but people who take their medication as directed are generally healthier, spend less on health care and feel better than those who don’t. So why would anyone choose non-adherence?

This is the question our company was seeking to answer with a recent study, and some of the results may surprise you. The study looked at why some patients who say they want to be adherent to their medications still stop taking them. We enlisted psychologists for to find out if individuals know what is motivating them to stop taking medicine, or if they don’t recognize assumptions they are making that are prompting them to stop.

The study was conducted by Minds at Work of Cambridge, MA, a company founded by Harvard University psychologists. Their work included extensive pre-interviews to find a sampling of patients who said that even though they wanted to follow doctors’ orders, they stopped taking prescription medicines for reasons they did not fully understand. The psychologists conducted hour-long, “hidden motivations” interviews with those individuals to understand the underlying cause of their actions.

Among the findings were:

• 24 % came to see that taking prescribed medications interfered with personal priorities like taking care of family members, compromising social aspects of their lives or finding it to be just another in a long line of chores to keep track of.

• 21% came to see taking their medicine made them feel like they were losing control of their lives and sometimes by stopping their medicine they felt they were resisting authority.

• 17% came to see they felt taking medicine gave them an unfavorable identity, made them feel old or they wanted others to view them in a more favorable light.

• 16 % came to see they felt they knew better than their doctors what was good for them; some believed they should take care of their health through exercise and diet.

• 16% came to see they were wary of the health care and pharmaceutical industries and did not want to become dependent on medications or suffer unknown side-effects.

• 6 % came to see they did not want to change their personal routines, so they simply put off taking their medications.

“We are looking at patient non-adherence

from every angle in an effort to solve this problem,” says Dr. Troy Brennan, EVP and Chief Medical Officer of CVS Caremark. “We are working with researchers to study claims data. We launched a research partnership with behavioral economists and social marketing experts to understand patient behavior. This review by psychologists adds to those efforts and gives us yet another view of consumers as we work to improve pharmacy care.”

In addition, we continue to test new communications strategies and new programs to drive adherence among our PBM population, taking results of this study and other initiatives into consideration to develop programs that might help improve adherence rates.

Catalyst Rx Expands Generic Advantage Plan

C o n ta C t S :

Rich Wipperfurth Vice President of Sales (612) 747-4390 rwipperfurth@catalystrx.com

Mary Tinsley

Client Service Manager

(248) 961-2085 mtinsley@catalystrx.com

Vital Signs: Study Seeks to Understand the Mindset of Non-Adherent Patients

Crystal J. Lawroski (586) 323-2834 Senior Strategic Account Executivecrystal.lawroski@caremark.com

Timothy Smith (847) 559-3851Account Managertimothyj.smith@caremark.com

C o n ta C t S :

www.labormanagementcoalition.org7

When you get a preventive medical

exam, you’re not just doing it for yourself – you’re doing for your family and loved ones. The best way you can take of yourself and those you love is to actively take part in your health care. The first step is to gather the most vital information about your current health status, including any risk factors you may have, followed by participation in the treatment decisions made with your doctor.

This is exactly what Health Dynamics has been focused on for over 25 years. Working closely with Health Funds and Employers, and following the guidelines set by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, the American Cancer Society, and the National Business Group on Health, we continue to provide a value-based Preventive Care Exam and Consultation

that is second to none. With our special pricing arrangement for LMHCC Members, the Health Dynamics Program combines extraordinary value with a comprehensive annual examination, which is fully covered under the Routine Care or Preventive Care benefit of each of our clients.

This unique risk and health cost reduction program has demonstrated a positive Return On Investment averaging over 6:1, based on well established scientific data and savings calculations, derived from early identification and intervention on a variety of conditions that we test each program participant for. Even more important than the financial savings is the profound impact we have on the lives and health of our program participants. That’s what keeps us going, year after year - the personal stories we hear and appreciation we feel every day from our patients.

We invite you to contact us to see for yourself the savings opportunity, efficiency and ease of implementation that we take pride in providing to Taft Hartley Funds, Municipalities and Corporations across the United States. Our current clients will be happy to share heartfelt testimonials from those whose lives we have saved, the savings they have reaped, and the positive comments they receive, based on early identification of disease, and the unnecessary suffering we have prevented. We look forward to hearing from you.

From all of us at Health Dynamics, have a wonderful summer!

“I’m active all day long, why would exercise for my back help my problem?”

Although you might keep busy all

day, it takes more than just activity to INCREASE your spinal fitness and combat back pain. As it turns out, because the muscles of the spine are difficult to isolate and exercise, over time they become extremely weak and de-conditioned. In fact, research has shown that even highly conditioned athletes can have weak back muscles! That’s why Physicians Neck & Back Clinics (PNBC) offers a rehabilitation program in which trained professionals help you use specialized equipment to target specific neck and back muscles that do not get strengthened during everyday activity or through typical exercise programs. By isolating and

strengthening these key muscles, you will be able to increase your spinal fitness and decrease your back pain.

Back pain is one of the most common reasons to see a doctor or for an employee to miss work. Most people who experience back pain have tried passive solutions such as heat or cold, chiropractic, massage or light home exercises without LASTING improvement. Lasting improvement comes from increases in spinal fitness, a fact supported by many of the world’s foremost authorities on spinal diseases, as well as local spine experts To quote one local orthopedic spine surgeon who refers patients to PNBC: “In my experience the best method to rapidly return a patient to previous work capacity is to aggressively pursue a reconditioning program such as Physicians Neck & Back Clinics.”

In 2009, LMHCC of the Upper Midwest endorsed PNBC as a preferred provider

for coalition fund members. As part of the Coalition’s Value Based Purchasing initiative, PNBC is extending to all funds a customized ‘Package of Care’ program that provides exercise rehabilitation and one year of free maintenance for participating members with chronic neck or back pain. Several funds have waived member co-insurance and copays when they attend PNBC.

Remember, when it comes to the muscles of the spine, daily activity does not equal meaningful exercise! If you are ready to say goodbye to back pain, PNBC is ready to help. For more information on PNBC’s program, go to www.pnbconline.com. To schedule an appointment, call PNBC at (651) 735-BACK (2225).

C o n ta C t :

Dave Carpenter CEO(651) 735-6100 x55Fax (651) 735-6106dcarpenter@pnbconline.com

No News Is Not Necessarily Good News Find Out - For Your Loved Ones!

HEALTH DYNAMICSPREVENTIVE CARE PROGRAM

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C o n ta C t :

Bob CarpenterProgram DirectorHealth Dynamics(414) 443-0200rcarpenter@healthdynamics.com

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The LMHCC and many of its members have endorsed the Center for

Diagnostic Imaging (CDI) because of CDI’s super-specialized radiologists, high strength equipment and patient service. Several Funds even waive their member’s co-pay if they choose CDI for medical imaging (MRI, CT, x-rays, mammograms, and ultrasound) or image-guided pain management procedures.

However, there may be an even more important reason to insist on CDI when your doctor orders an imaging study or pain injection procedure for you: absolute confidence that it is the right test for you and your special condition.

CDI offers your physician both an electronic tool and a phone hotline if your doctor wants some guidance as to

the most appropriate imaging test for your condition. And then, after you have been scheduled to visit CDI but before you arrive, a radiologist specializing in that area of the body reviews the order and your medical information. The CDI radiologist will contact the ordering doctor if CDI believes another imaging test or procedures would be better for you. Since CDI is not financially tied to the ordering doctor in any way, it means that you, the patient, are assured that, when you come to CDI, you are given the very best test for you.

Of course, this is important so you and your Fund aren’t paying for unnecessary services. With the health reform changes coming, it is also peace of mind for patients who are worried that a cheaper test is being ordered when a more expensive one is more appropriate. At CDI, you will receive the test that is best for your medical condition.

After your test, one of CDI’s highly-trained radiologists interprets your test and issues a conclusion about what is wrong or not wrong with you. This information is available to you through CDI’s patient portal if you do not want to ask your doctor for it. Again, because CDI is not financially tied to your doctor in anyway, you can have total peace of mind that no financial or similar factors influenced the radiologist’s judgment about your condition.

For more information, all Fund enrollees are welcome to call CDI’s Laborline at (866) 765-7138.

Patients have a “Right to Know” their Health Care Diagnosis and not just Trust their Doctor’s “Best Guess”

C o n ta C t :Elizabeth (Liz) Quam Director, CDI Institute (952) 525-6308lquam@cdirad.com

Mark Backlund Senior Account Manager(952) 534-6524Mark.backlund@cdirad.com

Many will identify hearing as one of the senses they rely on most in their everyday functioning, yet those who may be experiencing diminished hearing capabilities are not always quick to pursue treatment—this is due largely to the fact that hearing loss is painless, odorless, and invisible to others. Although painless, hearing loss can significantly affect a person’s mental and psychological well being. In these cases, those who suffer from hearing loss have a much higher incidence of depression, withdrawal, stress, negativism, and reduced job performance; and the only treatment accommodation for 90% of these cases is hearing aids.

So when should I get a hearing exam? One misconception of hearing loss is that people wait until they are older to get their hearing tested, when in reality,

they should start yearly checkups around age 40. If you are older, or work in a job environment where you are constantly exposed to noise, a hearing test is a good idea. In addition to identifying the presence of a hearing loss, hearing exams can also indicate other ailments such as diabetes.

EPIC Hearing Service Plan (HSP) Through our national network of Ear Physicians and Audiologists, EPIC’s HSP gives coalition members and their families access to quality hearing care and brand name hearing aid technology at reduced prices. Hearing Service Plan options include: Insured Hearing Plan (Rates are reduced for Coalition Members) and an ASO Savings Plan (can coordinate with existing hearing benefits).

All Hearing Service Plan Options Include:

Fixed pricing nationwide representing savings of 40-60% off MSRP on manufacturer brand hearing instruments and accessories.

On call member support

Three year extended warranty on all hearing aids

Free one year supply of batteries

Standard monthly, quarterly , and annual utilization reports

EPIC Hearing Health Care

Mike Reha mreha@epichearing.com

Dru Coleman dcoleman@epichearing.com (877) 606-3742

C o n ta C t :

www.labormanagementcoalition.org9

VSP® Vision Care and our Mobile Eyecare Clinic team were honored to participate in the LaborCare Health Fair in April of this year. It was great to see so many of our LMHCC business partners, friends and members. We had a terrific time and look forward to seeing everyone again next year!

In conjunction with their LaborCare Health Fair visit, LMHCC and VSP partnered to bring the VSP state-of-the-art 45-foot mobile eye exam clinic to Lewis House, a safe haven for women and children of domestic violence or sexual assault, to provide a full day of comprehensive eye exams and complimentary eyewear to the women and children in need.

Children and adults from Lewis House in Eagan were pre-selected to benefit from the Mobile Eyecare Clinic. Those who required prescription glasses had the opportunity to select eyeglass frames of their choice at no cost. LMHCC and VSP worked with local VSP doctors who donated their time and services to the families.

VSP and LMHCC are committed to giving back to the communities in which our mutual members live and work. Together, we were delighted to bring the families of Lewis House an opportunity for healthy vision and proper eyecare and eyewear. Bringing the Mobile Eyecare Clinic to Lewis House helped to ensure that the underserved also receive the care necessary for healthy sight today and in the future.

Said Leslie Metzen, Senior Director of Violence Prevention at Lewis House, “Those of us at Lewis House are thrilled that LMHCC made it possible for the VSP

mobile clinic to visit our residents. This is a wonderful opportunity for our families to get their eyes examined and receive vision assistance to help with simple tasks like filling out a job application, reading simple instructions or even being able to

help their children with their homework.”

Since 1997, VSP has provided more than 600,000 low-income, uninsured children with free eyecare. Through relationships including those with the LMHCC, VSP promotes the importance of annual eye exams for maintaining eye health and overall wellness.

For questions on our programs and how our benefit plans can help your members see better and save your Fund money, please contact Theresa Callanan.

C o n ta C t :

Theresa CallananVSP Vision Care - Senior Account Executive P: 651.264.3130P 800.826.2915theresa.callanan@vsp.com

VSP® Vision Care

www.labormanagementcoalition.org10

Newly Endorsed: VSP® Vision Care

What is long term care?

Long term care is ongoing personal assistance for an individual who, as the result of an accident, illness or age, needs help performing daily activities or maintaining their health.

Most people receive care in their homes, and most care is provided by family and friends. But in many cases, professional help or a nursing or assisted living facility is necessary.

On average, a family caregiver provides care for 4.3 years. Care recipients who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease or dementia may require care for up to 10 years.1

How does this impact me?

As life expectancy continues to increase, most of us will eventually need assistance, provide assistance, or both.

• Long term care isn’t just about the elderly. About 40% of care recipients are people under the age of 65 who have suffered an accident or illness.2

• Family members are often far away or busy with other responsibilities and careers, increasing the need for professional help.

• Long term care can be very expensive:

• At a typical rate of 4 hours per day, the services of a certified home health aide cost more than $3,500 per month.3

• Nationally, the average annual cost for a one-bedroom unit at an Assisted Living Facility is $32,500.3

• The average cost for a private room in a skilled nursing facility is over $74,000 per year.3

To find out how LMHCC can help and to view our new caregiving and long term care resource center please visit www.LMHCCcaregiving.org

Or call us at 651-379-2405

1 Caregiving in the U.S., National Alliance for Caregiving and AARP, 2004.

2 Guide to Long Term Care Insurance, America’s Health Insurance Plans, July 2004.

3 Genworth Financial, Cost of Care Survey, March 2007.

Caregiving Resources and Long Term Care

Nimlok Minnesota Joe Greeley

Betts & Hayes, Ltd. George Betts

Catalyst Rx Rich Wipperfurth

& Greg Dahl

CDI - Center for Diagnostic Imaging

Liz Quam & Mark Backlund

CVS Caremark Crystal Lawroski & Craig Mivshek

Epic Hearing Health Care

Mike Reha

Felhaber,Larson, Fenlon & Vogt, PA

William Ecklund

Motion Pictures, Inc. Bill Card & Daniel Polfuss

Physicians Neck & Back Clinics

Dave Carpenter

Seven Corners Printing Dan Winter

Sturm & Associates Marty Lasley

Preferred One Paul Geiwitz & Mike Thielen

The Segal Company Tom Del Fiacco

Zenith Administrators, Inc.

Darrin Drosky

VSP - Vision Care Theresa Callanan

HealthPartners Chris Parrucci & Gregg Dahlgren

BCBS of Minnesota Chris Preiner

AGIS Network, Inc. Rich Sypniewski

Pfizer, Inc. Scott Torborg

The Burchfield Group Greg Bigwood

Medica Dr. Ted Loftness

Delta Dental Mike Orrie

Union Bank & Trust Claudine Hartzell

HealthEz Mitch Nicholls

Thomson Reuters Steve Berna

Thanks to the following companies and individuals for their sponsorship of the LMHCC 11th Annual Meeting

www.labormanagementcoalition.org11

Do you sleep thru the night yet still feel groggy in the morning? Does your spouse’s

snoring keep you awake at night? Getting a good night’s rest can be life-changing. Especially if you suffer from sleep apnea. Over 12 million Americans have been diagnosed with sleep apnea and it is estimated another 10 million remain undiagnosed.

What is sleep apnea? It’s a common sleep disorder that results in brief interruptions of breathing during sleep. Apnea consists of three types: obstructive, central, and mixed, with obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) being the most common. During sleep, the soft tissue in the rear of the throat collapses and closes the airway, forcing apnea sufferers to stop breathing repeatedly.

Symptoms of sleep apnea include loud snoring and excessive daytime sleepiness. This can result in poor job performance

or falling asleep at inopportune times, as well as disrupting the lives and sleeping habits of spouses and family members. In addition, untreated sleep apnea can be life threatening; consequences may include high blood pressure and other cardiovascular complications.

How do you treat sleep apnea? Although a respiratory assessment is needed to determine the appropriate solution for each individual, nasal Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) is the most common treatment for sleep apnea. The CPAP machine pushes air through the airway at a pressure high enough to keep the airway open during sleep.

What can I do? We here at Northwest

Respiratory Services (NRS) have the trained and experienced staff available to address your sleep apnea or any other respiratory needs. NRS is one of the Upper Midwest’s leading providers of oxygen and respiratory products and services, specializing in fulfilling the respiratory health care needs of the community. Based in St. Paul, Minnesota, Northwest Respiratory Services has grown from a local niche provider into one of the largest regional sources of oxygen and respiratory products and services, serving customers in 14 states through our 21 office locations.

Through our network of locations and certified Respiratory Therapists, we are ready to serve the respiratory needs of the laborer’s and ensure everyone maintains the quality of life their family deserves.

Northwest Respiratory Services: Feeling Tired?

Dana Brandt, Chief Operations Officer Ron Van Beusekom, RRT – Director of Respiratory Care and Doug Rubbelke, LMHCC Executive Director

C o n ta C t :Dana Brandt – Chief Operations Officer

Ron Van Beusekom, RRT – Director of Respiratory Care

(800) 232-0706

dbrandt@nwrespiratory.com

12

Labor/Management Healthcare Coalition of the Upper Midwest1970 Oakcrest Ave., Suite 119Roseville, MN 55113

Doug RubbelkeExecutive DirectorOffice: (651) 379-2405Direct: (651) 379-2408

Cell: (651) 398-4039 Fax: (651) 379-2407

drubbelke@lmhcc.orgwww.labormanagementcoalition.org

Tonia SontoyaAdministrator

Office: (651) 379-2405Cell: (952) 451-5300 Fax: (651) 379-2407

tsontoya@lmhcc.orgwww.labormanagementcoalition.org

PresortedStandard Mail

U.S. POSTAGE PAID

Twin Cities, MNPermit # 8314

Joan Braun Director of Operations

LMHCC of WisconsinOffice: (414) 476-5025

Fax: (414) 476-0560joan.s.braun@sbcglobal.net

www.labormanagementcoalition.org

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www.labormanagementcoalition.org

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