Awards and Success Stories
Sharing workplace wellness success stories can motivate other organizations to start similar programs, as well as foster creative ideas for unique types of programs and resourceful ways to implement them.
Take a moment to read about programs that have been effectively implemented to inspire you to take your workforce towards a healthier lifestyle.
CareFirst Awards and Recognition
Our care management programs and resources have been recognized by a number of organizations:
Prevention:
- As of December 2008 - CareFirst is one of sixteen "Early Adopters of the NCQA Wellness & Health Promotion Accreditation Program." This evaluation program will help employers and others compare wellness programs using standardized results and select a wellness program with demonstrated value and quality.
- FirstHelp (24/7 nurseline) is fully accredited by the Utilization Review Accreditation Commission (URAC).
- Our Vitality member newsletter has won several awards including: Award of Excellence for Communicator Awards, 1st place from the Alfred Knight Awards, Silver for Aster Awards, and Bronze for Healthcare Advertising Awards.
- My Care First, the designated health and wellness section of our Web site, has won a number of awards, most notably the eHealthcare Leadership Awards, a Silver for "Best Internet Site" in 2007 and the Platinum for "Best Healthcare Content" in 2008.
- MyHealthProfile Wellness Program communications: International Association of Business Communicators Award of Merit in the 2007 Silver Quill Award Program.
Disease Management:
- CareFirst is one out of five health plans in the U.S. to have both the Disease Management Purchasing Consortium certification and the Health Industries Research Companies award for three years consecutively.
- 2007 'Most Effective Disease Management Program' from Health Industries Research Companies (Comments: Best program in the Mid-Atlantic/PA region)
- Disease management program earned NCQA Patient and Practitioner Oriented Accreditation through 12/09.
Case Management
- Our Case Management program is fully accredited by the Utilization Review Accreditation Commission (URAC).
Success Stories
CareFirst, as an employer, implemented a number of workplace wellness initiatives. Highlights include:
- Annual myhealthIQ health risk assessment and biometric screenings
- "Wellness Wednesdays" – every Wednesday employees are encouraged to wear active attire to encourage exercise sometime during the workday
- Weight Loss and stair-climbing contests among employees
- "Smoke-free" campus(s)
- Onsite exercise and nutrition classes
- Healthy menu alternatives in the cafeterias and vending machines
As a result of our wellness efforts:
- The CareFirst employee population saw lower cholesterol numbers and decreases in both smoking and obesity rates
- We were awarded the American Heart Association's Gold Level National Recognition as a 'Start! Fit Friendly Company' (2007 and 2008).
- We are the 2007 recipient of the 'Health & Wellness Trailblazer Award'
- Award created to recognize employers with exemplary commitment to health and wellness of workforce through a partnership of the Alliance of Workplace Excellence and Montgomery County Chamber of Commerce
- We have demonstrated improved employee morale:
- "We found ourselves walking more at lunch time and taking the stairs more often because we weren't wearing dress shoes."
- "I always wanted to do yoga so when they offered it here, I decided that I was going to give it a try."
- "I feel fresh when I’m finished. I have so much more energy. I'm in a better place to go on with the rest of my day. It's an added bonus when a health company cares about your health."