National Business Group on Health Recognizes Intel With 2015 Helen Darling Award for Excellence and Innovation in Value Purchasing

WASHINGTON, DC--(Marketwired - Mar 9, 2015) - The National Business Group on Health has honored Intel Corporation with its prestigious Helen Darling Award for Excellence and Innovation in Value Purchasing. Intel, a world leader in computing innovation, was recognized for its outstanding track record and commitment to increasing value in health care purchasing, and for its leadership role in helping to change the face of employer-sponsored health care benefits.

Now in its 13^th year, this national awards program recognizes outstanding employers, executives, and programs that spur the efficient and cost-effective use of health care resources, encourage excellent practices, and have a demonstrated track record of increasing health care value. The annual award was renamed the Helen Darling Award for Excellence and Innovation in Value Purchasing in honor of the Business Group's long-time CEO who retired in2014.

"We are pleased to honor Intel for its ongoing dedication and commitment to creating a better health care experience that improves the health and health outcomes for not only its employees and their families, but for large employers around the nation," said Brian Marcotte, President and CEO of the National Business Group on Health. "Intel and its team of forward-thinking executives have been consistently providing the leadership and innovative solutions this country needs to help improve the quality of health care while at the same time control rising costs."

Intel has been on a 12-year strategy to not only reduce the total cost of their health care benefit programs but to change the health care experience for employees and their dependents. Their commitment to employee health, productivity and overall well-being is demonstrated by a series of ground-breaking, innovative initiatives over the past several years including:

• In 2003, Intel became one of the first large employers to implement a consumer-directed health plan which now includes 70% of their employees.
  
  
• In 2006, Intel introduced the "Health for Life" clinic network in which employees at sites in six states had access to comprehensive health services at a point when many employer clinics were focused only on occupational health services.
  
  
• In 2011, Intel began developing Connected Care, an Accountable Care Organization, (ACO) in partnership with Presbyterian Healthcare Services, a 600-provider medical group in New Mexico. The goal was to introduce a different way of receiving health care at their Rio Rancho facility. In 2013, 3,500 employees at the Rio Rancho location were provided the opportunity to join the ACO.
  
  
• In 2015, Intel replicated the Connected Care model in the Portland, Oregon, area by partnering with Presbyterian and Kaiser. An additional 16,000 employees and dependents enrolled in the Connected Care plan this year.
  
  

"Intel's groundbreaking work in health care delivery and payment and their contributions to improving the health care system is to be commended, and all of us at the Business Group are proud to honor Intel for its leadership and pioneering work," said Pamela Kimmet, Chairman of the Board of the National Business Group on Health.

Intel received the award at the National Business Group on Health's annual Business Health Agenda conference held March 4-6 in Washington, DC. The award was presented to Tami Graham, director of global benefits strategy at Intel.

About the Helen Darling Award for Excellence and Innovation in Value Purchasing
The Business Group annually awards individuals, organizations or programs that encourage the efficient use of health care resources in addition to improving quality and affordability; encourage excellent practices that are started by or involve large employers; or have a proven track record of increasing value in health care through superior purchasing practices or have developed approaches, methodologies and tools that enable outstanding health benefit management practices.

About the National Business Group on Health
The National Business Group on Health is the nation's only non-profit organization devoted exclusively to representing large employers' perspective on national health policy issues and providing practical solutions to its members' most important health care challenges. The Business Group helps drive today's health agenda while promoting ideas for controlling health care costs, improving patient safety and quality of care and sharing best practices in health benefits management with senior benefits, HR professionals, and medical directors from leading corporations. Business Group members, which include 67 Fortune 100 companies, provide health coverage for more than 50 million U.S. workers, retirees and their families. For more information, visit www.businessgrouphealth.org.