PRESIDENT ’ S VIEW
Survey Raises Red Flags on Delays in Health Screenings
Lab tests essential
By Anthony Russo President , CIANJ
The days are getting shorter and there ’ s a refreshing crispness in the air as fall begins . We ’ re energized and focused on the big events of the season . Foremost is the celebration of Manufacturing Day on Oct . 7 with our colleagues at the New Jersey Manufacturing Extension Program .
This year we devoted a special section of Commerce Magazine to the manufacturing industry which contributes more than $ 54 billion to our state ’ s GDP and supports 400,000 jobs . More than 1,000 people are expected to participate in this year ’ s festivities and we are pleased be among them .
Women manufacturers will be saluted . To learn how two leading women faces challenges in their industry , we invite you to read the brief profiles on Alexandra Groezinger and Madeleine Robinson , who are featured in this issue . Groezinger is the granddaughter of German butchers , who now heads the family business that specializes in European style meats . Robinson left Wall Street 30 years ago to head LPS Industries , which manufactures flexible packaging .
Our October issue always has a focus on healthcare too . Inside you will find a feature on a clever new Latino health community program , which relies on “ promodoras ,” in the neighborhoods , as well as information about innovations in breast cancer screening . The pink ribbons we see everywhere this month are reminders of the importance of early detection , preventive care and support for the medical community ’ s efforts to stamp out this horrid disease .
We also recently spoke with Steve Rusckowski , chairman , CEO , and president of Quest Diagnostics , about his concerns that as we emerge from the pandemic , overall population health continues to suffer in part due to delayed healthcare . As the head of one of the nation ’ s leading clinical laboratories , Rusckowski said by delaying care and routine health screenings , both chronic conditions and new diagnosis have gone untreated .
Quest operates in the United States , Puerto Rico , Mexico and Brazil , and employs more
Quest Diagnosis has observed delayed healthcare during Covid is causing delayed diagnoses .
than 48,000 workers . The CEO said “ as employers , we need to support our employees to help address this hidden epidemic and get back to prioritizing preventive care .”
Rusckowsi said lab testing is an important part of improving health and wellness , but employees throughout the nation who are covered by employer-based health plans pay millions in unnecessary out-of-pocket costs each year by not realizing options available within their network or price fluctuations for services within a network , creating yet another barrier to care .
To better understand the primary concerns and desires of employers and employees regarding benefits , employer health programs and safety in the workplace , Quest Diagnostics commissioned a survey of over 400 human resources benefits managers and executives with decision-making authority ( HREs ) and nearly 850 office workers ( employees ) at companies with at least 100 workers .
The Quest study found that 63 % of workers put off routine checkups and screenings over the last two years , and 77 % said that it was difficult to practice preventive care during the pandemic .
Another finding of the study is that HREs and employees share a concern about healthcare costs , with 87 % of HREs and 89 % of employees worried healthcare costs will increase this year . Further , nine in 10 HREs ( 90 %) and almost nine in 10 employees ( 88 %) believe that employers need to be able to control health insurance expenses more .
HREs do appreciate the financial burden of healthcare on their workers . Indeed , over three-quarters ( 77 %) say they want to lower healthcare costs for their employees , but don ’ t have the tools to do so .
The Quest Diagnostics CEO said as employers we must take the steps necessary to educate employees about their healthcare coverage and reinforce individual employees / patients ’ roles in avoiding unnecessary costs . This means employers should establish educational programs that include regular communication through employee channels warning employees about unintended out-of-pocket costs and how to avoid unnecessary charges .
To reduce cost , he said Quest examined its own out- of-network spending , including diagnostics testing . “ Many people may not realize the importance of laboratory testing to inform medical determinations and treatment plans . While the lab industry makes up approximately 3 % of healthcare costs , 70 % of care-based decisions are informed by diagnostics testing ,” the CEO said .
By offering quality , innovative healthcare solutions at the right price , employers can help improve the healthcare experience for their employees , minimize out of pocket costs and support them in achieving better outcomes , Rusckowski said .
Photo : Getty Images / iStockphoto / yalax
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