CLINTON, MS (Mississippi News Now) -
The third annual Mississippi Healthcare Reform Summit is being held at Mississippi College this week. Business leaders are discussing ways to manage health and wellness programs in tough economic times.
Speakers at the event say inflating drug and medical benefit costs have some companies with medical expenses outpacing revenues.
Beth Tackett, Director of Human Resources for Viking Range says her company saves 1.16 Million using healthcare performance management. Programs like improved wellness initiatives, educating employees about healthy living practices have paid off.
Tackett says, "We want to be able to improve their healthcare with health fairs, bringing different vendors on site to make it easy for employees to be able to have those health services.
Governor Phil Bryant was among the speakers to headlining the event.
Governor Bryant says business leaders are constantly telling him that healthcare is quickly becoming the number one expense. Governor Bryant says promoting a healthy lifestyle can cut down on premiums for employees company wide.
"There are companies that companies contract with that will come in and hold a wellness program around your employees, it's remarkable how effective it has been when you're looking at someone that might have high blood pressure to prevent them from having a stroke, which costs your insurance carrier such a large amount."
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