BETHESDA, Md. -- Today, the Healthcare Performance Management Institute released the latest in its series of profiles of companies that are saving money on their health benefits by adopting innovative new data analytics technology.

In its latest report, the Institute investigates the success of Viking Range Corporation, a Greenwood, Mississippi-based appliance manufacturer. By marshalling sophisticated healthcare performance management software to analyze its existing healthcare data, Viking was able to trim over $1.1 million from its health spending between 2009 and 2010 without sacrificing its benefits.

"The HPM software we used delivered in-depth analysis of our healthcare plan without compromising our member’s privacy," said Beth Tackett, Director of Human Resources at Viking Range Corporation. "We have a better understanding of the factors driving our health plan costs, and our technology-enabled wellness programs are reducing those costs."

The HPM Institute report chronicles how cloud-based software furnished by Bethesda, Md.-based WellNet Healthcare Group identified Viking employees with potentially costly health risks. The world-renowned luxury appliance manufacturer then deployed a team of registered-nurse care managers to personally reach out to employees to implement plans that would help them improve their health.

Care Managers have engaged 54 percent of the Viking workforce after just two years, thanks in part to a well-structured incentive program that encourages them to stay healthy. As a result, the company's hospital admissions are down 9 percent. Between 2009 and 2010, Viking saved 16 percent -- or more than $1,400 per employee -- in medical costs.

The HPM strategy has had a positive impact on productivity and attendance. "There’s no doubt that the employees who have participated in the process are more productive," said Tackett. "As we remain engaged and active with this approach, we expect healthcare costs to continue to decrease."

"It is such a differentiator to employees when a company has a rich benefits program, including its healthcare coverage. We’ve taken pride in being able to offer that to our employees," concluded Tackett. "And it's heartening to get positive feedback on this approach from our employees."

"The Viking Range success story is another example of how forward-looking firms are using HPM technology to reduce healthcare costs and improve the quality of employee health," said George Pantos, Executive Director of the HPM Institute.

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To download a copy of the HPM Institute's success story on Viking Range Corporation, please visit http://www.hpminstitute.org/Viking_Range_Corporation_Success_Story.

For more information or to schedule an interview with Beth Tackett, Viking Range Corporation’s Director of Human Resources; Keith Lemer, President of WellNet Healthcare Group; or George Pantos, Executive Director of the HPM Institute, please contact Robby Schrum at 202-471-4228 or rschrum@hpminstitute.org. 

About the HPM Institute

The Healthcare Performance Management Institute (HPM Institute) is a research and education organization dedicated to promoting the use of business technology and management principles that deliver better and more cost-effective healthcare benefits for employers who cover their employees.

The Institute’s mission is to introduce and develop a new corporate discipline called healthcare performance management (HPM) -- a technology-enabled business strategy that tackles the challenge of controlling healthcare cost and quality in much the same way that enterprises have optimized customer relations, supply chain management and enterprise resource management. HPM provides C-level executives with visibility and control over company healthcare benefits spending trends and risk management postures, while protecting individual employee privacy.

About Viking Range Corporation

Viking Range Corporation is an ultra-premium major appliance manufacturer and culinary lifestyle company that originated commercial-type appliances for the home and is the creator of the “Professional” category of major appliances. Viking is headquartered in Greenwood, Mississippi. Viking major appliances are sold through a network of premium appliance distributors and dealers worldwide, and Viking culinary products are sold through a network of premium gourmet retailers. To request product information, please contact Viking toll-free at 888.845.4641, or visit the web site at vikingrange.com. VIKING is a registered trademark of Viking Range Corporation.

About WellNet Healthcare Group

WellNet Healthcare Group, a national healthcare management company, is a leader in providing employers and plan sponsors fully integrated, performance-driven healthcare services. Leveraging the lowest net cost Rx benefit and using this data set as the earliest indicator to predict future risks and costs in real-time. WellNet’s proven management, measurement and highly targeted member-engagement approach uses cutting-edge technology to deliver accelerated and unprecedented cost savings and efficiency gains that lower total medical benefit expenses today. For more information, visit www.wellnet.com.