SAN DIEGO, Oct. 11, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- American Specialty Health Incorporated (ASH), a national health services organization, announced that it was named the fifth healthiest medium-group business in San Diego county in the second annual "San Diego's Healthiest Employers Awards," produced by the San Diego Business Journal and Intercare Insurance Solutions. Certificates were presented to 55 finalists, and only 18 companies in small, medium, large, and large companies headquartered outside of San Diego categories were named as honorees. The event, held September 15 at the Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines, recognized local employers that have developed comprehensive workplace wellness programs and make wellness a priority for their employees. This is ASH's second time being named a Healthiest Employer in San Diego.
The Healthiest Employers nomination process was independent and very rigorous. The nomination form included 53 questions that focused on the six key competencies of successful corporate wellness programs, including:
- Leadership, culture and community
- Wellness operating plan, staff and budget
- Data collection and strategic planning
- Wellness communications and education
- Wellness programming, interventions and incentives
- Data management and evaluation
ASH has a long-standing record of engaging employees in the same health and wellness programs that it sells to health plan, insurance carrier, employer group, and trust fund clients nationwide. Through its subsidiary Healthyroads, ASH provides a wide range of personal health solutions—including award-winning telephone-based lifestyle and condition coaching programs, member engagement promotion programs (EngageHealthyroads.com), incentive management programs, competitive challenges, worksite wellness programs, and/or an integrated online health improvement portal, Healthyroads.com. Healthyroads offers programs to more than 6 million members nationally.
In addition, ASH's culture revolves around health and includes:
- Massage, acupuncture, chiropractic, and other unique health benefits
- Vending machines and an onsite store stocked with 100 percent healthy foods
- An onsite fitness center, exercise room, showers, and locker rooms, plus discounts to local gym memberships
- Incentives program -- employees can receive up to $400 a year ($100 per quarter) for reaching specific physical activity goals using a wireless accelerometer or a Polar heart rate monitor
- Annual Get Healthy! Award for one employee who has significantly improved his or her health habits
- Holiday and employee health challenges with fun incentives for participants
- Onsite health education classes
- Employee-led sports clubs
- Access to hiking trails, tennis courts, etc.
- Wellness committee
ASH has been named among the 100 "Best Places to Work in Healthcare" by Modern Healthcare magazine, an American Heart Association Gold Start! Fit-Friendly company, one of America's 15 Fittest Companies by Men's Fitness magazine, a National Business Group on Health Gold "Best Employers for Healthy Lifestyles" award winner, and a California Task Force on Youth and Workplace Wellness Fit Company. More locally, ASH has been named one of San Diego's best places to work by the San Diego Business Journal and San Diego Magazine.
About American Specialty Health
American Specialty Health Incorporated (ASH) is a national health services organization that provides a total population health management program, specialty network management programs, and fitness programs to health plans, insurance carriers, employer groups, and trust funds. Based in San Diego, ASH has more than 800 employees and serves over 25.9 million members.
For more information about ASH health and wellness programs, visit ASHCompanies.com or call (800) 848-3555. Follow us on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/ASHCompanies or www.Twitter.com/Healthyroads!