Lower Cost, Better Service, More Control

Throughout Alaska and the Greater Pacific Northwest

The Health Care Cost Management Corporation of Alaska, Inc. (HCCMCA) helps participating member health plans save money and control health care costs by negotiating better pricing on health benefit services than members could negotiate on their own. We do this by arranging discounts with area hospitals, physicians and provider groups as well as with vision, hearing, disease management and prescription drug service providers. We also offer access to programs that reduce administrative expenses, and provide value-added benefits that include improved service.

By working together through the HCCMCA, participating health plans in Alaska, Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana and Nevada benefit from lower pricing, improved market position, administrative cost savings and the ability to share best practices.

In The News

HCCMCA Summer Newsletter

Download our Summer 2010 Newsletter.

HCCMCA Presents Health Care Reform Seminar

Make plans now to attend a one-day seminar, Health Care Reform; What Plans Need to Do Now, co-sponsored by HCCMCA and the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans (IFEBP). This not-to-miss event will be held Monday, August 30 from 8:00 am to 3:00 pm at the Aerospace Machinists Union Hall in Seattle. As details of health care reform legislation continue to unfold, it’s important to get accurate information on these expansive changes. Morning sessions led by industry experts will provide important information about what to expect in the months ahead. Afternoon breakouts will give you perspectives for your specific plan type. Learn more about the schedule and speakers and download a registration form here. Cost for HCCMCA members is discounted to $199 per person if you are also an IFEBP member; if you are a member of one and not the other it is $299; the fee for non-members is $399.

You have three easy ways to register:

Mail the registration form with check or credit card number to: International Foundation–Conference, P.O. Box 68-9954, Milwaukee, WI 53268-9954
Fax the registration form with your credit card number to (262) 786-8650
Register online at www.ifebp.org/HCReformOneDay

Questions? Contact HCCMCA or IFEBP.

Upcoming Conventions

Look for HCCMCA’s booth at the Washington State Building & Construction Trades Council’s 54th Annual Convention, July 29 – 30 at the Hotel Murano in Tacoma. www.wabuildingtrades.org
HCCMCA will exhibit at the Washington State Labor Council’s 2010 Constitutional Convention, August 9 – 12 at Tacoma’s Hotel Murano. www.wslc.org

Highlights

Streamlining Alaska’s Workers’ Comp

HCCMCA Proposing Carve Out / Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Process

UCWCP Executive Director Kevin Gregerson will be in Alaska at the end of August 2010 during the Alaska AFL-CIO biennial convention. He will meet with Labor and Industry leaders to provide education on the Minnesota Workers Compensation Workers’ Compensation ADR program.

See http://www.ucwcp.com for information.

PPOs Lower Cost of Access to Outstanding Provider Networks

HCCMCA has negotiated discounts with multiple Preferred Provider Organizations (PPOs) to give member health plans access to high quality medical care at discounted pricing.

We have PPO agreements with:

Alaska Regional Hospital – for inpatient and outpatient hospital services
Chugach Physical Therapy, Alaska Hand Rehabilitation and Ascension Physical Therapy – for comprehensive physical therapy and rehabilitation care
Beech Street - providing significant discounts through their extensive network of preferred providers in Alaska and nationwide

Learn how one HCCMCA member has saved more than $16 million since 2004 by using the PPO agreement with Alaska Regional Hospital.
read more>>>

One On One

With Larry Bell

Larry Bell is President of HCCMCA. He also serves as co-chair of the Alaska Electrical Workers’ Trust Fund and business Manager for IBEW Local 1547.

On the Importance of Having an Effective Web Site

“Electronic communications must be both engaging and informative to the end user,” said Bell. “We need to keep our web site up to date, not only with regards to the information it conveys, but also in its ability to attract and educate new participating member health plans. My hope is that this information will provide what our member health plans need and complement the services they are providing.”

Bell adds that the updated web site is just part of a broader effort to do a better job of communicating with members. “This site furthers our ability to communicate,” he said. “It makes the benefits that the Coalition is providing or making available more tangible.”

Bell is quick to acknowledge the many challenges facing health plan providers and member health plans. “As providers of health benefit services, we can’t do our job alone,” he said. “We want this web site to help get us and keep us on same page and moving in the same direction. Our goal is to make our member health plans more aware of what HCCMCA offers, and better educated in terms of how to use it all.”