MedCost Benefit Services Chooses HealthMedia to Offer HRA and Full Suite of Online Lifestyle Management Interventions

The initial launch will include programs for weight management and physical activity, nutrition improvement, stress management, and smoking cessation. The interventions also include numerous tools and resources such as a medical library, recipes, goal-setting tools, and iPod™-enabled exercise and relaxation videos.

“We are excited about this new approach to increasing the health and well-being of our entire population, as well as being able to boost our value proposition for our employer groups,” said Sharon Lambros, Chief Operating Officer for MedCost Benefit Services. “The combination of quality, scalability, and proven effectiveness of the HealthMedia interventions makes us confident that our members will respond positively to this initiative.”

"HealthMedia is pleased to be working with MedCost Benefit Services to offer behavior change interventions for its entire member base,” said Ted Dacko, HealthMedia President and CEO. “Using these effective and scalable interventions will help MBS achieve quantifiable results and improve health across the entire care continuum.”

MedCost Benefit Services clients are predominantly throughout the Carolinas and will be offered full access to the online programs beginning this September.

About MedCost Benefit Services

MedCost Benefit Services (MBS) is the premier third party administrator (TPA) in North and South Carolina. Administering benefits for employers of various sizes, MBS focuses on controlling health care costs through a comprehensive PPO Network, innovative health management solutions, and managing health care trends.  MBS plans to integrate HealthMedia’s suite of programs into its nurse health coaching program, Personal Care Management (PCM). The PCM program provides one-on-one mentoring for those individuals who have certain health issues that, if left unattended, may develop into more serious, costly conditions. MBS is a wholly owned subsidiary of MedCost, LLC, which is jointly owned by Carolinas Healthcare System and North Carolina Baptist Hospital. For more information visit www.mbstpa.com

About HealthMedia, Inc.

HealthMedia, Inc. is the global leader in scalable behavior change interventions with outcomes. HealthMedia’s proven outcomes increase compliance, reduce medical utilization, and increase productivity— boosting profitability for health plans, employers, pharmaceutical companies, and behavioral health organizations. A fusion of their own unique technology and proven behavioral science, HealthMedia delivers individually tailored behavior change interventions for health and wellness, disease management, behavioral health, and medication compliance. Clients include Kaiser Permanente, UPS, Cleveland Clinic, Johnson & Johnson, GSK, and eight Blue Cross Blue Shield organizations across the United States. HealthMedia partners include APS Healthcare, Corphealth, Health Dialog, Wellsource, and SHPS. For more information visit www.healthmedia.com