Vendor Plan Summit

[French]

We are considering holding a "vendor plan summit" this fall. We have ~15 large vendors (health, dental, vision, Rx, EAP, retirement) that we want to bring together to discuss resources, tools etc. to assist us in our health strategy initiative. Has anyone done a program like this and if so, what has been the reception? Any advice? Thanks.

[GBurns]

Years ago I saw 3 large employers try that with no success.

The main problem was the reluctance of vendors to disclose in that manner their offerings. They all seemed to want one-on-one face to face meetings with the client's decision makers. Apparently they felt that they needed to do a "sales pitch".

IMHO, they all have basically the same strategies to offer. So whoever offers first might get an edge.

Then there is the basic problem of time limitation caused by such a format, even if you develop an agenda and have a list of objectives or areas to be addressed. You are limiting the nature and length of idea presentat ion. You are also giving valuable time away to some vendors who have nothing to offer.

The format also makes you dependent on the limiited knowledge and the presentation skills etc of your local rep and the support that he/she might be able to raise, which will be limited by their influence with their company.

I would, instead, produce a paper setting out my goals and objectives etc (an interrogatory) and submit it to each vendor for their response. This will first remove those who have nothing to offer and those unwilling to offer.

Doing this will also give your rep the opportunity to shop around within his/her company for ideas etc.

Having their responses in writing will allow you to compare and to short-list the ideas, in a mannner that should be better than alllowed by the summit format.

Also do notlimit yyourself to your vendors. There are probably many other good vendors who have utilized these same strategies in unique ways that might be just what you are looking for. Big does not mean good much less best.

[Mary C]

We have had some success with just bringing together our two largest self insured medical carriers, pharmacy manager, EAP, and disability. The medical and pharmacy manager have integrated their systems together so that when a doc's office calls the medical carrier to get a script approved, it's automatically transferred to the pharmacy manager. If the medical case managerment is involved in a chronic or very serious illness, they may help get drugs that need prior approval through the pharmacy manager's system without inconveniencing the patient. The EAP's case managers now works with nurse managers at the carriers to provide additional services not offered or covered by medical but available in the communities. Individuals on disability are getting case management from the medical plan and rehabilitation services from the disability plan and help from the EAP. We plan to add workers comp into the summit at some point in the future.

[French]

Thanks for your thoughts. I like the idea of creating a list of goals/objectives in advance and getting written responses. That will certainly help us to focus on the purpose of this summit which is to enhance our "health initiative" (encouraging employees to take charge of their wellbeing).