Programs

The Labor/Management Health Care Coalition of the Upper Midwest provides programs, services and activities in four major areas as shown in the accompanying graphic and described below.

Value Based Purchasing

Value Based Purchasing brings the collective leverage of over 350,000 covered lives to the health care marketplace to provide better costs and quality for members, their workers and families. While the cost of care is a major consideration, improved quality and value are major factors. In many major specialty care areas, the best quality can produce the lowest costs for members.

Value Based Purchasing options currently available to members and associates:

PPO Network Rental Program (PPO-NR) - Better Provider Access at an Affordable Price
Pharmacy Benefit Management Services (PBM) - Better Service, Lower Costs
Value Improvement Partnership (VIP) - Better Quality Specialty Care At Lower Costs
Group Medicare Advantage Program (GMAP) - Better Access and Lower Costs for Retirees

Additional Value Purchasing options under development currently include:

A Group Dental Plan Option
Diagnostic Imaging Services
Vision Care
Others

Education

Education of members can be done collectively with a higher level of content than can be done separately by each fund. The level of expertise is improved and the Coalition strives to bring practices of funds to quarterly sessions called “Best Practices”.

Please CLICK HERE to review upcoming Educational Meetings

Policy Development

Policy development is designed to influence major stakeholders in health care about needed changes to the business and delivery of health care. While the coalition monitors state and national legislative and legal directions, it occasionally suggests policy directions for various groups. An example, mentioned elsewhere, is the initiative to urge Governors and Legislative Delegations in our three regional states (Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa) to work together to secure important CMS (Center For Medicaid/Medicare Services) demonstration grant funds for the region.

Please CLICK HERE to review our Policy Actions

Data & Information

Data & Information is a core strategy that empowers the other three major areas of initiative. The Coalition works with a variety of other purchasers and Coalitions to secure necessary data, transparency and information that will assist purchasers and consumers to make well informed health and care decisions.