Quote: Paul Grundy, MD (IBM)

I can easily buy an amputation for a diabetic; I can’t buy comprehensive care to prevent that amputation.

Paul Grundy, MD, Human Resources Director, works for IBM. It’s worth going to the biography page linked to from this post, because if you see Paul in person, you’ll see someone very different – a person who’s 110 pounds lighter, thanks to a comprehensive approach to employee wellness at IBM.

Philip Marshall, MD, MPH
Thanks to professional colleague and fellow champion of consumer empowerment Phil Marshall, MD, MPH, for hosting an engaging session about the future of personalized health care.

3 Comments

I find this terribly interesting.

I am glad to see Dr. Grundy dealing with the health insurance companies, hopefully, head on. Also very impressed with his dedication to get healthy.

I am a very proud IBM'er.

I am a newly diagnosed Type 1 Diabetic.

As a part of my top of the line coverage at IBM through Empire BCBs – I am covered for 1…count one…Diabetes education class in MY LIFETIME. This includes dietitian counseling, insulin counseling, personal trainer all of it. Type 1 requires a tremendous amount of dedication and attention to get 'in line' and guidance. I am continually amazed by the shortsightedness of this blanket policy. I increased my coverage this November thinking more coverage more education. But One class per lifetime REGARDLESS of plan.

A lot can be done with better technologies to aid in personal guidance through a chronic disease. I look forward to the future when we have better tools and more accurate health coverage.

Jodi,

Thanks for your comment. I know that Paul is definitely working on this and I forwarded your comment on to him. Adding your personal experience to the conversation makes it real. In your new diagnosis, are you using any Web2.0/Health2.0 tools to supplement the education you are getting/have gotten through your plan?

Ted

Some companies offer wellness incentives. Employers pay for the employees to have wellness testing done. (blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose, liver function and kidney function to name a few.) If the employees results are in normal range, the incentive is extra money in their Health Savings Account. The incentive to the employer is lower health care cost. Healthy employees save employers money.

Ted Eytan, MD