WPS launches MedEncentive digital health pilot; first trial to be sponsored by commercial health insurer

For WPS Health Solutions

DeAnne Boegli
DeAnne.Boegli@wpsic.com
Phone: 608-977-7343

For MedEncentive

Jim Dempster
jdempster@medencentive.com
Phone: 405-319-8454

WPS launches MedEncentive digital health pilot; first trial to be sponsored by commercial health insurer

Madison, Wis. and Oklahoma City – June 4, 2020 – In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, WPS Health Solutions, a leading not-for-profit health insurer in Wisconsin, and MedEncentive, developer of a breakthrough digital health service, announced a partnership today, to conduct a pilot of the MedEncentive Mutual Accountability and Information e-Therapy (e-MAIT) Program. The purpose of the pilot is to demonstrate the program’s health-improvement and cost-containment capabilities to health insurers, researchers, policymakers, and the general public.

Starting immediately, a subset of WPS’s employee health plan will be covered by the e-MAIT Program. Health and cost outcomes from this covered group will be compared to the balance of the WPS employee health plan, in a multiyear controlled trial.

“The COVID-19 pandemic is transforming how healthcare and health insurance will be delivered,” said WPS Chief Strategy Officer John Stephens. “Part of this transformation is the acceleration of digital health. MedEncentive has developed a promising digital health solution that we believe will improve health and lower costs. WPS is committed to being a health insurance leader in the post-COVID-19 era, and it is for this reason that we are proud to be sponsoring this important demonstration with MedEncentive.”

In a five-year study, recently published in the peer-reviewed Journal of Medical Internet Research and certified by the Validation Institute, the e-MAIT Program was found to be associated with significant reductions in hospitalizations, emergency room visits, and per-capita expenditures, which produced a large return on investment for the health plan sponsor.

“As the first controlled trial sponsored by a commercial health insurer, this pilot is an important step toward our goal of widespread and universal adoption of our program,” said MedEncentive CEO Jeff Greene. “WPS is to be commended for its leadership and commitment to excellence.”

About WPS Health Solutions

WPS Health Solutions is a nationally regarded government contractor and a leading Wisconsin not-for-profit health insurer. The WPS Health Insurance division offers affordable health plans and benefits administration. The WPS Government Health Administrators division administers Part A and B Medicare benefits for millions of seniors in multiple states, and the WPS Military and Veterans Health division serves millions more members who are active in the U.S. military, veterans, and their families. Wisconsin Physicians Service Insurance Corporation (WPS Health Solutions) has been based in Madison, Wis., for more than 70 years. For more information, please visit wpshealthsolutions.com.

About MedEncentive LLC

MedEncentive offers a health-improvement, cost-containment service to employers, insurers and governments, based on the Company’s web-based and mobile-enabled incentive system.  This patented system, called the Mutual Accountability and Information Therapy (MAIT) Program, has been proven to improve health and health care, and lower costs, an objective often referred to as the “Triple-Quadruple-Quintuple Aim.” What makes the MAIT Program unique is how it offers financial incentives to both patients and doctors for holding each other accountable for assimilating “information therapy.” To learn more, visit www.medencentive.com.

#END#

Keeping music alive: WCO unveils new look, more digital concerts and 20/21 season series

May 18, 2020

For Immediate Release

Media contact:
Jake Miller, 608-957-4797, jake@hellosundaypaper.com

Keeping music alive: WCO unveils new look, more digital concerts and 20/21 season series
With its musicians at center stage, the WCO aims to bridge classical music and community

MADISON –  The Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra today unveiled its new look and feel, an upcoming digital concert and several new programs – all with the goal of bringing the community closer to classical music and the musicians behind it.

As many art and music organizations nationwide have been forced to hit pause, the WCO has worked tirelessly to march forward, ensuring the 60-year-old organization, famous for its Concerts on the Square series and top-tier musicianship, remains relevant and engaged with its audience.

Focused on the artistry, richness, quality and intimacy of its performances, the WCO has captured that essence in a new look, including an updated logo and website, wcoconcerts.org. More importantly, though, is what the new look stands for during this time. The WCO is putting its musicians in the spotlight, bridging the gap between audience and artist and making classical music accessible without sacrificing what makes it magical.

“Experiencing music is about so much more than just what you hear,” said Joe Loehnis, WCO CEO and a professional cellist. “It’s about getting to know the musicians, diving into the stories behind them, what inspires them. When you go deeper, the music means more. It sounds even better. That’s the connection we want to make with existing and new audiences.”

The WCO worked with Suz Brewer of SUZCO, to capture the brand’s soul in its new image. Brewer is known nationally for her work with Duluth Trading Company’s now famous advertising. She also positioned EatStreet for its rapid growth, and is known for her ability to unearth what audiences want to experience.

Online concert series expanded

As part of the effort to better connect musicians and audience, while making classical music more accessible and enjoyable, the WCO is ramping up its new digital concert series.

At 7:30 p.m., Thursday, May 21, the WCO will air a recorded PBS Wisconsin rebroadcast of one the  most popular Concerts on the Square on wcoconcerts.org. The concert, like Concerts on the Square, is free to everyone.

“For 37 years, we’ve been the orchestra that instigated and hosts these magical summer concerts with 250,000 people attending each year,” said Maestro Andrew Sewell, WCO’s music director for 20 years. “Concerts on the Square means a lot to this community and while we work to bring back the live performance, we wanted to find a way to keep the music coming while keeping everyone safe.”

Additionally, the WCO will continue to showcase its Coucherto Series, featuring home performances by its musicians, Sewell and Loehnis. The Coucherto Series launched within two weeks of the Safer at Home Order and compelled musicians to perform from their homes – and sometimes doing so in flannel lounge pants.

20/21 season, Friends of the WCO announced

Keeping the music going is more critical than ever, which is why the WCO also is unveiling its 20/21 season, which includes Masterworks I on Nov. 20. The concert will feature John O’Conor on Piano at the Capitol Theatre, Overture Center for the Arts.

“We’re optimistic that we’ll be able to have live performances as the months progress, and that includes a number of concerts this fall,” Loehnis said. “But, if we have to pivot we will. Ultimately, our goal is to make sure everyone is safe, our musicians can play, and our community can enjoy the WCO – no matter the platform.”

To view the entire schedule, visit the WCO’s event calendar.

As part of its focus on connecting with its supporters, the WCO has launched Friends of the WCO, a new program that makes it possible for the WCO to employ some of the best musicians in the nation.

While donations and the Payroll Protection Plan has allowed the WCO to pay its musicians despite having to cancel performances, it’s the community support that keeps the organization going.

As a member of Friends of the WCO, you receive discounted concert tickets, invitations to member-only parties, gifts and other perks. To donate, visit the Friends of the WCO page online.

About the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra

Founded in 1960, the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra (WCO) is one of the elite chamber ensembles in the United States and is dedicated to advancing Wisconsin communities through the transformative power of music. Under the direction of Maestro Andrew Sewell, the WCO leverages the unique characteristics of chamber music to bring a wide variety of repertoire to audiences in settings that range from the formality of the concert hall to the intimacy of smaller community venues and the open accessibility of parks and other public spaces. Through collaborations with regional performing arts groups and touring performances, the WCO extends its artistic programming to broader audiences and communities across Dane, Columbia, Jefferson, Waukesha, and Sauk counties.

The WCO is nationally known for its summer series Concerts on the Square®, drawing 250,000 patrons annually to downtown Madison. Via its annual education programs, including the bi-annual Side-by-Side concert with the Wisconsin Youth Symphony Orchestra, WCO provides artistic development opportunities for young musicians.

To learn more about the Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra visit wcoconcerts.org.

Anytime Fitness Providing Daily Support for Local Communities During Safer at Home Extension

Area gyms encouraging us to stay active with an online accountability group while supporting local businesses

SOUTHERN WISCONSIN (April 30, 2020) – With the recent extension of Wisconsin’s Safer at Home order, it is unclear when gyms in Wisconsin will be able to reopen. In the meantime, Anytime Fitness of Southern Wisconsin is offering Wisconsinites virtual support to stay connected and on track with their health goals. Andy Gundlach, owner of the 33 locations that make up Anytime Fitness of Southern Wisconsin, started the Anytime Fitness Healthy at Home Challenge Facebook group in March to encourage members of the community to continue their fitness routine while abiding by the Safer at Home order. Gundlach’s team posts a daily workout to the group, and participants are encouraged to share a sweaty selfie for the chance to win a prize that supports local businesses in their communities. Since the group begin, it has grown to include more than 1300 members and has awarded $500 worth of local gift cards to prize winners.

Under Safer at Home, going to the gym is off-limits, yet most people would benefit from keeping their regular exercise routine, especially in times of high stress. “Regular movement and exercise can help decrease stress, improve your mood, and encourage better sleep. In times of uncertainty, like what we’re currently experiencing, it is essential to implement movement into your daily routine,” says Ryan Campbell, Training Specialist for Anytime Fitness of Southern Wisconsin. To that end, Anytime Fitness of Southern Wisconsin is posting daily workouts that can be done at home with little to no equipment. New workouts are posted seven days a week, and participants can also browse and select from more than 45 previous workouts available in the Facebook group.

“Lots of health clubs out there are offering at-home workouts or virtual training in response to the need to temporarily close due to COVID-19,” Gundlach explained. “What makes this group unique is the community aspect. It’s more than just a daily workout; it’s the support, motivation, accountability, and encouragement from your teammates. It gives a sense of normalcy in this unprecedented time in which we are living.”

Gundlach is also offering a weekly prize, drawn at random, to someone who posts an after-workout selfie. As a small business owner, Gundlach understands the importance of supporting local businesses. Each week he purchases $100 in gift cards to local businesses of the winner’s choice for the winner. Since the prize drawings began, there have been five winners who have supported businesses like J&D Care Care LLC of Janesville, WI, Vince’s Pizza and Pancho and Lefty’s of Monroe, WI, Java Cat of Madison, WI, and Rosie’s Coffee Bar and Bakery and Monona Bakery and Eatery of Monona, WI among others.

People are sharing more than just their #sweatyselfies for their chance to win a prize. Pets and kids are cheerleaders and workout buddies. Laundry detergent, jugs of cat litter, and cases of beer are substitutes for weights. Group members are finding time for the daily workouts and establishing new at-home routines, and the overwhelming sense of community and togetherness underlies the entire group. Comments such as, “I am grateful for this support page to hear others are also struggling with working out at home….makes me feel better and normal. I miss the gym so much!” (Kelly M.) and “With all the support and positive attitudes and just wanting to stay healthy, it’s not like being at the gym but everybody here is wonderful and I just wanna say thank you,” (Katherine D.) reiterate the importance of community at this time, even if can only be online and not at the gym.

To join the Anytime Fitness Healthy at Home Challenge Facebook group, search for “Anytime Fitness Healthy at Home Challenge” on Facebook. This group is open to the public. You do not need to be a member at Anytime Fitness to join. For more information on Anytime Fitness, please visit www.anytimefitness.com or email afcustomercare@gmail.com.

About Anytime Fitness of Southern Wisconsin

We get the health and fitness industry can be confusing and overwhelming, which is why we offer you a free consultation and free personal training experience to learn how to become healthier. Our trainers have helped thousands of people in Southern Wisconsin get healthier and happier by taking the guess work out of achieving their goals. Don’t change who you are to fit in at a different gym; come to Anytime Fitness and be YOU, healthy and happy.

Blue Plate Fish Fry

Join us each Friday in May as we raise money for some wonderful Madison area organizations:

Middleton Outreach Ministry
Badger Prairie Needs Network
The River Food Pantry
Second Harvest Foodbank of Southern Wisconsin
Porchlight
The Beacon

Net proceeds ($4.00 from entrees and $2.00 from kid’s meals) will be donated equally to the organizations at the end of the month. We’ll keep everyone updated through Facebook and Instagram with how much money has been raised each week, so be sure to like and follow our pages!

We will post our new menu and directions for ordering food on our online store each Thursday at 10:00am.

Help us help you help these organizations (take that Jerry Maguire!). Pre-orders will help shorten waiting times, allowing us to donate more! Check out the Facebook Event here.

UW-Madison Now Offering Online Personal Finance Degree

Are you looking to advance your skills and career in the financial services industry? Do you have at least 24 college credits and dreams of completing your college degree? If so, the UW–Madison Online bachelor of science in Personal Finance is the right program for you.

One of the few schools in the nation to offer an online BS degree in personal finance, UW–Madison is ranked #2 in top colleges for financial planning by WealthManagement.com. This program combines an emphasis on financial management with the economic well-being of individuals and families. As a student, you will develop analytical, problem-solving and communication skills along with in-depth financial industry knowledge.

Our practical, hands-on curriculum means you can also integrate what you learn into your work the next day. Students will learn key concepts in the curriculum, including principles of financial planning and development, risk and insurance, taxation, investment planning, retirement and savings, and estate planning. All graduates who complete the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) required courses leave fully prepared to sit for the CFP exam.

By combining finance and problem-solving with helping people, the BS in Personal Finance prepares you for a rewarding career in a rapidly growing field. Students will graduate equipped to serve the needs of a variety of clients and work in a broad range of finance jobs including financial analyst, risk management specialist, community educator, investment associate, product manager and business development consultant.

UW–Madison Online allows students to choose their course load, while the online format means work can completed during times more convenient for the student. The flexible online format makes it possible to balance progress towards a degree with work responsibilities.

UW Madison is partnering with businesses to help employees enroll and succeed in UW-Madison Online. Learn more today by visiting go.wisc.edu/start-today or contact Laura Thomas at 608-265-2547 or laura.thomas@wisc.edu.