Eli Lilly and Company                            Critique

ELI LILLY & COMPANY (CORPORATE HEALTH SERVICES)

The Corporate Health Services program was formed in 1992 to identify synergistic opportunities which would enhance the health of health plan members and improve the health dollar efficiency by challenging traditional barriers and practices.  90% of active employees elect to participate in preventive health examinations.  By reducing medical access, expanding preventive care services and minimizing administrative barriers, reduced health risks and costs are experienced.  

SPECIFIC COMMENTS INCLUDED:

The program targets family members and retirees as well as employees and includes quality health care as a goal.  It targets high risk individuals.  It manages both employee health services and the health plan as a single entity.  This is a “on-site clinical services” approach.  There is a traditional medical model for preventive services with good mammography and colonoscopy programs.   There is an interesting financial reimbursement arrangement with HMO’s.  The program has good framework and direction.   Health professionals customize the follow-up programs.   There is excellent coordination of interventions with health plans like Community Primary Care Providers.  

RESERVATIONS INCLUDED:

Savings are based on the amount spent as opposed to what would have been spent if individuals sought care from a community provider.  There is no real analytic or study design.  This is not a health risk reduction program.   Primarily, this is an enhanced managed care program.  No solid costs-per-participant information are availabel and there has been no direct attempt to determine an ROI.  The emphasis on preventive health services is not necessarily cost-effective, although it has merit.   There is no self-care component or low birth weight reduction program.