Pfizer

Healthy Directions

In June, 2005, Pfizer Healthy Directions launched its employer-directed prevention and wellness program which attempts to improve health outcomes, enhance productivity and lower health costs for its 41,000 US-based colleagues and their families. Healthy Directions moves Pfizer and colleagues away from a focus on the cost of healthcare, to a focus on the value of good health.

Pfizer offers a diverse health benefit program with more than 70 percent of employees in fee-for-service plans and the remaining 30 percent in national and local managed care plans. Pfizer also offers 100 percent drug coverage. Significant research was done internally and externally to better understand Pfizer’s own employee health situation and to understand the gaps that Healthy Directions could best address for employees and their families.

Healthy Directions provides the tools, resources, and support employees need to be their healthiest including:

• Healthy Directions Portal – an online total health resource that’s personalized to meet unique health needs and concerns
• Health Questionnaire (HQ) – a health assessment tool that offers valuable insight into overall health and possible risk factors
• Call Healthy Directions – a toll-free number that provides access to health professionals around the clock, every day of the year
• Health Improvement and Management Programs – one-on-one health coaches and outreach counseling that colleagues may qualify for based on their health status
• Benefit Design – consistent with goals of the Healthy Directions program e.g. 100 percent coverage for all pharmaceutical drugs and preventative care

Results:

• At launch, over 13,000 Pfizer colleagues completed health screenings.
• 84% of colleagues and 53% of dependents registered on the Healthy Directions portal.
• 84% of colleagues and 52% of dependents completed the Health Questionnaire (HQ).
• 25% of identified colleagues and 17% of identified dependents enrolled in a Gordian risk management program.
• 19% of identified colleagues and 17% of identified dependents enrolled in a Matria disease management program.

***Submitted by Larry Fields, Larry E. Fields, MD, MBA, FAHA, FACC, Senior Director, Strategic Policy Worldwide Public Affairs & Policy, Pfizer Inc., Larry.Fields@pfizer.com

Published: January 26, 2009