SAN DIEGO, Sept. 28, 2006 (PRIMEZONE) -- American Specialty Health (ASH), the nation's leading specialty benefits organization for complementary health care and wellness programs, announced that it has been selected by the Fontana Unified School District (Fontana USD) to provide chiropractic benefits to the Inland Empire-area district's employees. In addition, Fontana USD teachers, administrators, and other personnel will be eligible to participate in the Healthyroads Coaching Programs for Weight Management, Tobacco Cessation, and Healthy Living, provided by ASH wellness subsidiary Healthyroads, Inc.
Effective August 1, Fontana USD employees covered by this agreement have direct access-without medical physician referral-to a nationwide network of contracted chiropractors, including over 3,300 chiropractors in California alone. Chiropractic benefits previously available to the district's employees through American Specialty Health Plans of California, Inc. (ASH Plans) are now available through American Specialty Health Insurance Company (ASH Insurance). Both companies are subsidiaries of American Specialty Health Incorporated.
According to ASH chairman, president, and chief executive officer George DeVries, employer groups are becoming increasingly eager to offer chiropractic coverage because of growing evidence that it can help reduce workers' medical utilization and the overall costs of health care-and because it provides a competitive edge in employee benefit plans. "Chiropractic coverage offers employers the opportunity to better manage their benefits costs while also attending to employee demand for health care options that go beyond traditional medical care," DeVries said.
Fontana USD employees are also able to take charge of their health by participating in the Healthyroads Coaching Programs for Weight Management, Tobacco Cessation, and Healthy Living. Features include outreach calls to welcome members to their individual program, as well as telephone-based motivational and goal-oriented coaching and assistance in setting and tracking employees' health and wellness goals. In addition, Healthyroads' registered dietitians, certified personal trainers, registered nurses, and other health coaches are available to help Fontana USD employees who are preparing for or recovering from bariatric (weight loss) surgery effectively address the diet, exercise, and lifestyle challenges that frequently accompany this surgery.
Also included are a variety of online tools providing e-communication, health status trackers, and health resources. An additional program feature allows Fontana USD employees to receive discounts of up to 40 percent off MSRP on more than 2,400 health and wellness products-including nutrition bars, homeopathic remedies, tobacco cessation tools, and fitness equipment-available online at Healthyroads.com(r).
To encourage continued participation, Healthyroads offers Fontana USD employees the opportunity to take part in its Get Healthy! National Awards Program, which awards prizes such as a shopping spree or a new car to selected participants from across the country who demonstrate the most significant improvement in their health through their use of the Healthyroads Coaching Programs.
"Wellness programs such as Healthyroads' play a key role within employee benefit plans," noted ASH's DeVries. "The Fontana Unified School District recognizes the value of these programs as a proven method for improving health over the long term, and we are pleased to provide the district's employees with the tools and support they need to meet their health and wellness goals."
About American Specialty Health
ASH offers benefit, fitness, and wellness programs to health plans, insurance carriers, employer groups, and trust funds nationwide. Subsidiary company ASH Insurance is licensed or admitted as an insurer in 43 states and the District of Columbia. Healthyroads, Inc. is ASH's wellness, health education, and e-commerce subsidiary, offering award-winning weight management, tobacco cessation, and healthy living programs.
Based in San Diego, ASH has over 500 employees and covers more than 12 million members in benefit programs and more than 500,000 members in wellness programs. For more information, visit Healthyroads and ASH online at Healthyroads.com and ASHCompanies.com, or call 800.848.3555.
The American Specialty Health logo is available at http://www.primezone.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=2357