Soldat_Américain
11-25-2009, 09:52 PM
I was watching CNN today and one of the stories they were talking about of course was national healthcare and they did a story on Harris Rosen who runs four hotels in Orlando and he pays for comprehensive coverage for all of his employees...however the insurance is him. He runs a Clinic for all of his employees but there are stipulations in order to work for him. However he's not a supporter of a national public option where the government runs the joint, but a national system that is run locally, which is what is going to happen soon in Orange County, Florida.
I wish CNN had saved the segment.
Rosen touts low costs of on-site medical center
By Fernando Quintero
Sentinel Staff Writer
November 2, 2009
Dr. Kenneth Aldridge, 34, is director of health services for Rosen Hotels & Resorts' on-site medical center, which has drawn the attention of political leaders for its innovative approach to employer-based health care. Aldridge spoke with Sentinel staff writer Fernando Quintero.
CFB: Congressmen Alan Grayson of Florida and Frank Pallon from New Jersey recently touted your medical center as a model for health-care reform. Why has it drawn so much attention?
Because of our success keeping costs down by focusing on wellness and prevention, and providing accessibility to our employees and their dependents. Mr. Rosen estimates he has saved 50 percent on health insurance for employees by providing direct health care, and that it would cost approximately $8 [million to] $10 million more annually with a conventional health-insurance plan. The company saves $8 for every $1 it puts into the medical center. Our workers' compensation costs are half the industry average.
CFB: How does the clinic save money for both the company and employees?
First, employee co-payments are very low, ranging from zero to $5 — $15 if they see a specialist, which we have contracts with. Most primary-care physicians charge anywhere from $25 to $50. If a patient can't afford primary care, they often will wait until they are very sick before they see a doctor, which costs a company a lot more money. Also, when patients come here they are on the clock, so they can feel comfortable about seeking medical help. By having our own medical facility, we can control costs for the services we provide. We also place a big emphasis on prevention, which always saves money versus treating illnesses and disease. So, for instance, by having an on-site dietitian, we can provide weight management and nutrition counseling to help employees from getting diabetes.
CFB: Are you able to address employees' most common health problems?
We have a full-service center. We can provide ultrasound tests, radiology, prenatal care, free physicals, vaccinations, physical therapy and much more. For services we don't provide, such as a colonoscopy, we contract with local hospitals and health-care providers. We have a staff of 28, including two doctors and two nurses. We also provide in-patient case management to make sure each patient is receiving the service they deserve, and that they are following through on treatment, which also helps keep costs down.
CFB: What about patients who might be concerned about patient confidentiality, with their employer providing their medical care?
Their personal health information is kept with me and my staff. No information is given to Mr. Rosen. They don't have to worry if they will be fired because of a certain health condition. There are very strict federal regulations against that.
CFB: Are there any unique challenges for a company that provides direct medical care for its employees and their families?
It's pretty much the same as any other medical facility, although our employee population is quite culturally diverse. So we take a lot of classes through our human-resources department to be sensitive to the cultural needs of our patients. Our staff speaks English, Spanish and Creole to better serve our employees. But it's still a challenge to serve patients, some from Third World countries who have never seen a doctor. Among foreign workers, health problems like high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes are especially prevalent.
CFB: Harris Rosen recently launched a new venture, Rosen Healthcare Solutions. What is that about?
We're trying to encourage other businesses to adopt our health-care model. It will assist companies in either setting up their own primary-care medical center, or set up and operate the facility. Mr. Rosen plans to market this service to Central Florida businesses first, and then branch out to other areas of Florida and the Southeas
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/orl-cfbtalking-aldridge-110209110209nov02,0,5593529.story
Here's his recently launched website:
http://www.rosenhealthcaresolutions.com/
Rosen Hotels & Resorts:
http://www.rosenhotels.com/default.asp
Also he's been doing this for the last 18 years so it is a proven system.
I wish CNN had saved the segment.
Rosen touts low costs of on-site medical center
By Fernando Quintero
Sentinel Staff Writer
November 2, 2009
Dr. Kenneth Aldridge, 34, is director of health services for Rosen Hotels & Resorts' on-site medical center, which has drawn the attention of political leaders for its innovative approach to employer-based health care. Aldridge spoke with Sentinel staff writer Fernando Quintero.
CFB: Congressmen Alan Grayson of Florida and Frank Pallon from New Jersey recently touted your medical center as a model for health-care reform. Why has it drawn so much attention?
Because of our success keeping costs down by focusing on wellness and prevention, and providing accessibility to our employees and their dependents. Mr. Rosen estimates he has saved 50 percent on health insurance for employees by providing direct health care, and that it would cost approximately $8 [million to] $10 million more annually with a conventional health-insurance plan. The company saves $8 for every $1 it puts into the medical center. Our workers' compensation costs are half the industry average.
CFB: How does the clinic save money for both the company and employees?
First, employee co-payments are very low, ranging from zero to $5 — $15 if they see a specialist, which we have contracts with. Most primary-care physicians charge anywhere from $25 to $50. If a patient can't afford primary care, they often will wait until they are very sick before they see a doctor, which costs a company a lot more money. Also, when patients come here they are on the clock, so they can feel comfortable about seeking medical help. By having our own medical facility, we can control costs for the services we provide. We also place a big emphasis on prevention, which always saves money versus treating illnesses and disease. So, for instance, by having an on-site dietitian, we can provide weight management and nutrition counseling to help employees from getting diabetes.
CFB: Are you able to address employees' most common health problems?
We have a full-service center. We can provide ultrasound tests, radiology, prenatal care, free physicals, vaccinations, physical therapy and much more. For services we don't provide, such as a colonoscopy, we contract with local hospitals and health-care providers. We have a staff of 28, including two doctors and two nurses. We also provide in-patient case management to make sure each patient is receiving the service they deserve, and that they are following through on treatment, which also helps keep costs down.
CFB: What about patients who might be concerned about patient confidentiality, with their employer providing their medical care?
Their personal health information is kept with me and my staff. No information is given to Mr. Rosen. They don't have to worry if they will be fired because of a certain health condition. There are very strict federal regulations against that.
CFB: Are there any unique challenges for a company that provides direct medical care for its employees and their families?
It's pretty much the same as any other medical facility, although our employee population is quite culturally diverse. So we take a lot of classes through our human-resources department to be sensitive to the cultural needs of our patients. Our staff speaks English, Spanish and Creole to better serve our employees. But it's still a challenge to serve patients, some from Third World countries who have never seen a doctor. Among foreign workers, health problems like high blood pressure, heart disease and diabetes are especially prevalent.
CFB: Harris Rosen recently launched a new venture, Rosen Healthcare Solutions. What is that about?
We're trying to encourage other businesses to adopt our health-care model. It will assist companies in either setting up their own primary-care medical center, or set up and operate the facility. Mr. Rosen plans to market this service to Central Florida businesses first, and then branch out to other areas of Florida and the Southeas
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/business/orl-cfbtalking-aldridge-110209110209nov02,0,5593529.story
Here's his recently launched website:
http://www.rosenhealthcaresolutions.com/
Rosen Hotels & Resorts:
http://www.rosenhotels.com/default.asp
Also he's been doing this for the last 18 years so it is a proven system.