Survey: Most employers plan no cutback on benefits

The Dallas-Fort Worth Business Group on Health released an employer survey on Nov. 4, about 2010 benefit plan designs and the information shows that the large majority of employers do not plan on cutting back their benefits, despite economic pressures.

According to the survey, 83 percent of employers do not plan to make cuts, and 37 percent expect to add or improve benefits. The DFWBGH is a non-profit coalition of Metroplex employers, including some large companies such as American Airlines, JC Penney, Southwest Airlines, Brinker International and Bell Helicopter.

Almost half of employers did plan to shift additional costs to employees, however, and 57 percent anticipate an increase of 6 to 10 percent for 2010 medical premiums. More than 90 percent didn’t plan to hold off on benefit changes due to federal health care reform legislation, which is still up in the air.

The DFWBGH will hold its 5th Annual Value-Based Benefits & Wellness Forum and Vendor Fair Dec. 3 to spread information about benefits and wellness programs. For more information, visit www.DFWBGH.org.

New president

Dr. Britt Nelson has accepted a position as the new president of Cook Children’s Physician Network. Nelson has been with Cook Children’s for nearly 20 years and served as medical director of the pediatric intensive care unit, and he also served as chair of the physician network’s board of directors for six years before being named interim president of the network in July.

Groundbreaking

Texas Health Arlington Memorial Hospital will hold a groundbreaking ceremony Nov. 10 at 10 a.m. on the north lawn of the hospital to celebrate the expansion of its Cravens Emergency Department.

The expansion will include 16 new beds, including eight for fast-track exam space, a new triage area and an enlarged waiting area. The project is expected to be complete by July 2010 and is funded largely by donations.

About 60,000 patients visited the Arlington hospital’s emergency department in 2008, and Dr. Hoyt Frenzel, medical director of the department, said the new space will let less critical patients get treated and back to their lives in a more efficient manner.

“This expansion is important because our current volume and acuity outstrips out existing resources in our current space,” he said. “The separate fast-track area will allow patients with non-emergent medical conditions to be treated quickly without impacting the rest of the department.”

Financial aid session

Moncrief Cancer Resources will host a session about financial aid and managing cancer bills Nov. 12 from noon until 2 p.m. at 1701 River Run, Suite 503, in Fort Worth.

The lunch-and-learn session, “Helpful Tips to Handle Cancer Bills,” will feature representatives from Baylor All Saints Medical Center at Fort Worth, Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Fort Worth, Texas Oncology and the Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders, as well as the staff in the medical bill advocate program at Moncrief Cancer Resources.

To reserve a space for the session, as well as for the complimentary lunch, call 817-838-4861.

New practice

Dr. Michael Wood opened a cardiovascular and thoracic surgery practice at Huguley Memorial Medical Center and joined the staff of Huguley Medical Associates.

Wood will share an office with two general surgeons located at the Medical Office Buildings on Huguley’s campus in suite 112. He is board certified in surgery, thoracic surgery and critical care surgery, and he is a fellow of the American College of Surgeons, the American College of Cardiology, the American College of Chest Physicians and the International Society of Cardiothoracic Surgeons.

Wood has 20 years of experience as a cardiothoracic surgeon and was previously assistant professor of surgery at Loma Linda University School of Medicine in Loma Linda, Calif. He will accept Medicare and most insurance plans at his new office, and the phone number is 817-293-5547.

Ranking

Texas Health Harris Methodist Hospital Southlake was ranked as one of the Best Companies to Work for in Texas 2010 on the Texas survey and awards program to honor the best in the state. The list, made up of 85 companies in various industries, spotlights companies that have at least 15 employees in Texas, have a facility in Texas, and have been in business for at least one year, among other criteria.

The list is by Texas Monthly, the Texas Association of Business, the Texas State Council of the Society for Humane Resource Management and Best Companies Group. A two-part evaluation process, including an employee survey that is worth 75 percent of the evaluation, was used to rank the companies. An award ceremony will be Jan. 28 at the Texas Association of Business 2010 Annual Conference, and final rankings will be announced then.

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