MINNETONKA, Minn., October 19, 2006 — Medica members in the Winsted area now have a new opportunity to improve their health and save money. America’s Fitness Center in Winsted has joined Medica’s Fit Choices
SM by Medica network.
The program, the first of its kind in Minnesota, is designed to help members improve their health and save membership and health care dollars. Fit Choices by Medica members get a $20 monthly membership credit just for exercising at a participating health club eight or more days per month.
The addition of the Winsted health club signals an expansion of the partnership already in place between America’s Fitness Center and Medica. America’s Fitness Center has participated in the Medica program since 2004 and has other locations in Hutchinson, New Ulm and Norwood Young America.
“We are delighted to grow our partnership with America’s Fitness Center,” said Dr. Ted Loftness, M.D., Medica’s vice president of regional health services. “This is an important addition to the Fit Choices by Medica program because it provides easy access to our members in the Winsted area. America’s Fitness Center is very supportive of our mission to engage our members in greater amounts of physical activity and fitness programs.”
“We’re thrilled with the partnership and the opportunity this program provides our members to increase their level of fitness and improve their health, said Chad Kirchoff, chief executive officer of America’s Fitness Center. “The program has proven to be a great motivator to get people started on a fitness routine and keep them active.”
Studies show that helping people stay healthy not only saves lives, it controls health care costs. An estimated 70 percent of all illnesses are due to lifestyle-related causes such as obesity and physical inactivity, and one-half of all medical costs are attributable to illnesses that could be prevented. Fit Choices by Medica is now a standard component of Medica’s offerings to fully insured employers and is being offered as an option for self-insured groups.
About Medica: Medica is a 1.3 million-member health insurance company headquartered in Minneapolis and active in the Upper Midwest. The non-profit company provides health care coverage in the employer, individual, Medicaid, Medicare and Medicare Part D markets in Minnesota and a growing number of counties in North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin. Medica also offers national network coverage to employers who also have employees outside the Medica regional network.
Medica has the highest accreditation status, Excellent, from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA®) for its Minnesota Medicaid HMO plans and commercial health plans in Minnesota and North Dakota. Medica’s vision is to become the community’s health plan of choice, trusted for its integrity, respected for its service, and admired for its commitment to innovation and efficiency.
For more information, contact:
Greg Bury, Medica
952-992-8437
Cellular: 612-810-4556
E-mail:
greg.bury@medica.com###