The chronically ill have a higher severity of life issues which require more intense services.  People need care that builds confidence in managing chronic health problems.   They need support to keep doing the things they enjoy, to follow through on prescribed treatments, and to remain physically active.

Integrated Health Management's programs and information architecture offer the industry's only care model designed to deliver end-to-end fitness and lifestyle management solutions for individuals with chronic illnesses.  High-tech and in compliance with the highest clinical standards, our condition-specific protocols can be incorporated into traditional wellness programs or stand alone.

For referring physicians and their chronically ill patients in pursuit of optimum health, the limitations of fitness center services has long been the "weak-link" in the traditional health care continuum. Until now !

Our 5-Point System is one of coordinated fitness and health care interventions for populations with major conditions like: Diabetes, Heart Disease or Asthma, and impact conditions like Hypertension, Back Care and Overweight.

What We Can Do For You

In our model, fitness centers serve multiple purposes, use improved diagnostic tools and improved information systems to better utilize provider resources and deliver more of the right services to the right people at the right time.  In addition to screening and physical capacity testing, fitness centers are also home to Phase II thru IV cardiac rehabilitation and other disease management support programs.

Using fitness facilities and the internet as portals, needs-based "personal health management solutions" can be delivered to patients in a scalable manner.  We can connect with employers, health plans, insurance beneficiaries, physicians and their patients to improve outcomes and reduce costs of care by:

• supporting patients' care goals at the point of service
• providing customized, multi-tiered fitness strategies
• providing ongoing data tracking and progress reporting

Integrated Health Management offers a new approach to improving outcomes for the chronically ill and high risk.

Our approach is based on integrated, collaborative care. We work as a team in defining needs, identifying issues, co-developing realistic strategies, then supporting planning and execution of the plan.  Creating solutions that are workable, deployable and based on real care requirements and an understanding of the health issues.

Our focus areas are supported by highly expert consultsant, who can act individually or be "teamed" to form the best team possible in meeting health objectives. Our focus areas are comprised of solid, proven clinical methods and fitness strategies.  We can answer your challenge by developing tailored programs and applying it to individuals or to an organizations strategic health improvement objectives and goals.

FOCUS AREAS:

• BENIFITS DESIGN CONSULTING
• HEALTH RISK ASSESSMENT
• SCREEENING PROGRAMS
• PHYSICAL CAPACITY TESTING
• CONDITION-SPECIFIC WELLNESS PROGRAMS
• LIFESTYLE MANAGEMENT SUPPORT SERVICES

Are you tired of losing employee work time, productivity and profits to chronic illness?  Lack of proper treatment for chronic illnesses can be frustrating, time consuming and costly.

Integrated Health Management provides a breakthrough in the management of major conditions like Cardiovascular Disease, Asthma and Diabetes and impact conditions like Back Care, Overweight and Hypertension.

Our programs improve an employee's advancement through illness by integrating with a provider's network resources to:

• strengthen clinical pathways
• create predictable results and timelines
• reduce medical costs
• improve bottom lines

Clinical integration, evidence-based guidelines and ongoing self-management support are the foundation that is often absent from other forms of disease management programs.

On-site or off, Integrated Health Management creates programs that offer proactive clinical and educational solutions.

We are keenly aware of how illness impacts organizations as well as an individuals ability to be productive and thrive.  In addition to these pressing health issues, employers are now facing a fifth consecutive year of substantial healthcare cost hikes.  Premiums for employer-sponsored coverage jumped an average cost of 13.9% this year, according to Kaiser Family Foundation’s survey of 2,808 employers nationwide.  That brings the overall average cost of family coverage to $9,068 and the cost of single coverage to $3,576 per year.

To address these issues, a new paradigm in corporate wellness has emerged.  This initiative, developed by Integrated Health Management (IHM) is focused upon establishing a new framework for healthcare in which health plans, employers and employees share like responsibility for the improvement.  Our collaborative care model delivers appropriate fitness and clinical support services aimed at reducing demand for medical services via better coordination and quality of care.  Our condition-specific modules focus on major conditions like diabetes, heart disease, asthma,and impact conditions like back care, obesity and overweight.

About The Emerging IHM Model

Integrated Health Management has recently met with major healthcare providers such as Connecticare, HealthNet, Aetna and Health New England to discuss this emerging model.  IHM’s innovative model integrates fitness programs with fragmented provider services, setting up a more consistent decision support network with improved clinical care paths that promote self-management among high-risk and chronically ill patients.

The new paradigm is aimed at improving the health of employees’ one person, one lifestyle at a time. We address high priority issues and create actionable strategies that improve chronic, ongoing treatable disease. Based on organizational readiness data we launch health awareness strategies, implement conditioning programs and establish benchmarks for future program expansion and growth. Our custom designed fitness and lifestyle initiatives meet needs and interests and do so in a manner that is aligned with available time and capability.

Every evaluation, program design, consultation and re-test is carried out with a focus on the clinical objective.

• Pulmonary Function Testing: Also called lung capacity testing or spirometry testing, this requires you to blow out all of the air in your lungs into a straw-like device. You should be able to blow out atleaset 75% of the air in your lungs in the first second, though this capacity differs according to age. This test for "vital capacity" is very important since, according to some studies, it is the best predictor of longevity. If timed vital capacity is less than predicted, it may indicate asthma, bronchitis or prehaps emphysema. The test is also a good motivator to encourage someone to stop smoking.
• Physical Capacity Testing: Also called sub-maximal stress testing, is an exercise tolerance test done on either a stationary cycle or treadmill and can last as little as a few minutes or as long as 20 minutes, depending on what exertion level brings upon symptoms. While not letting the heart rate exceed 85% of maximum, we are able to determine the fitness level or physical work capacity as a basis for exercise prescription. A minimum standard has been established for the average middle aged person of walking 15 minutes or longer on the treadmill, which is roughly the equivelent of running 2 miles in 20 minutes. This is the first threshold of fitness beyond which there apears to be some protection from coronary heart disease. Unless you reach this minimum fitness level, it does not apear that you have any protection from coronary disease.

An accurate exercise prescription tailored to current fitness level (as well as personal interests) is the best way to ensure a safe and successful experience. Find out if the fitness center follows American College of Sports Medicine Guidelines. If they don't, they should. Tests should be performed by an Exercise Physiologist, Exercise Specialist, or ACSM certified technician at the beginning of your program and every three months after to measure progress.

There are an abundance of potential markets and business models in this industry. But, if you’re not aware of the complete market picture, in balance, you don't know your true position or where real threats may come from. Should you stay put with certain programs and class schedules? Maybe try to capture a new market segment? What are the indicators? What are your strategic options? Do you have a clear strategy?

Our consulting efforts do not attend to short-term operational improvements or short term marketing tactics. Rather, we focus on helping clients make fundamental medium-term (1-3 year) strategic choices that could provide sustainable differentiation. We begin by aligning your current strengths and capabilities with related market opportunities to help determine feasibility. SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) is an invaluable tool.

In an industry with no regulatory barriers of entry, relatively low profit margins and increasing numbers of competitors on the horizon, why “fly blind”? Many growing companies (and mature ones), devote too little time to think systematically about market strategy and competitive positioning. In this industry, there is a tendency only to care about your one closest rival, and that "really weak" club that makes you look so much better to your members. In a way you’re glad both are around. But to not regard the other facilities in the mix because they are not perceived threats is a mistake. You’re fine, why worry, right? Sure.

Then, out of nowhere a new competitor arrives, or, one of the also-rans breaks-out of the pack, armed with fresh capital and prepared to fight you tooth and nail for a prime market share. And you know what? If they have a clear market focus, they stand the better chance for long term victory. Why? Besides being more focused, chances are, they’re probably dealing with a lender who made them prove that they understood their market, and that their strategy was a viable one. Is yours? Knowing your position; when, how, or if you should try to capture more of your market, or, create barriers of entry to competiton are things we can help you plan for and appropriately act upon.

The critical issues which we would address are:

Overall Market: What are the largest and fastest growing segments? How is the primary segment being cared for.
Competition/Industry Structure: What share of overall market can you command?
Customer Value: How do they evaluate you? Customer attachments/trust?
Products/Services/Prices: Precisely what “packages” do customers in your market want?
Marketing Strategy: Shared customers, facilities? Stronger Physician, Employer and Community relationships?
Staff: Turnover advantages? Skill deficiencies? Contract Clinicians?

So, weather you’re an up-and-coming beginner in an embryonic market, or a champion with no perceived competition…BEWARE. Do your homework. Know your market. Have a true business and marketing plan. I was a fitness center owner before I became a consultant…and I have the scars to prove it.

Remember Mike Tyson, the fighter? The “Baddest Man On The Planet”? Well, in his hey-day he was once asked if he took an opponents plan to defeat him seriously or not. Mike boldly replied “Hey, everybody has a plan until they get punched in the mouth”. Mike, like many businesses, didn’t think he'd need a plan. Then Buster Douglas punched him in the mouth. Don’t be like Mike.

Anthony Gordon
Principal
Integrated Health Management
(203) 644-5515