Each year, influenza (“the flu”) impacts 5-20% of the U.S. adult population. More than 200,000 people are hospitalized from flu complications. In self-reported studies of Americans 18-64, flu was responsible for 200 million days of diminished productivity, 100 million days of bed disability, and 75 million days of work absence.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2003 American businesses’ lost earnings due to annual influenza epidemics (illness and loss of life) was $16.3 billion.

The single best way to prevent the flu is to receive a flu vaccination each year.

By offering the flu vaccine to employees, studies show that corporate America has reduced the number of sick days taken by workers. And offering the vaccine at the office or plant, is not only more convenient; it also reduces the time your employees take away from the job to receive the vaccination.

Hosting a flu shot program for your employees helps you:

• Reduce employee absenteeism which can cause more than $500 a day in lost productivity
• Reduce time away from the job to go to another location for the shot
• Enhance your relationship with your employees

Click here to view the most frequently asked questions about the flu.


Cost Free Program

Offering employees an on-site flu program is virtually cost free when compared to the cost of lost productivity due to absenteeism. In 2005, the average per-employee cost of absenteeism was $660 according to CCH Incorporated, a leading provider of human resources and employment law information.

Summit Health’s ability to process claims is another way in which employers can achieve a cost free flu program for their employees. Summit Health directly bills health plans that pay for flu shots, thus eliminating payment from the employer if their employees have health plan coverage.


Benefits


Benefits available to you and your employees through Summit Health:

• Experience
• Promotional Materials
• Compliance
• Online Customized Scheduling
• Quality Staff
• Flu Voucher Program

Experience


Summit Health has been a trusted provider of health care personnel at all skill levels and in all settings since 1999. Our experience has shown us that companies are interested in a program that is easy to implement and requires little time off the job for employees. We make a flu shot program convenient and for both employers and employees.


Promotions


Clear and frequent communications are essential to the success of any immunization program. Summit Health provides employers with the promotional materials they need to be successful. Employers are also given a password to login and have access to a variety of additional downloadable marketing materials including flyers, posters, newsletter articles, sample memos and more.


Compliance


In keeping with the Comprehensive Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA), Summit Health distributes "Statement of Patient Rights & Responsibilities” and “Privacy Rights and Notice of Privacy Practices" documents to each employee and has the employee acknowledge receipt by checking a box in the Patient Consent Form. Click here to view Summit Health's "Notice of Privacy Practices".


Online Customized Scheduling

Summit Health offers online scheduling so employee "wait time" is minimized. By signing up online, employees can easily schedule the best time to receive their flu shot. Summit Health can accommodate multiple locations and times for flu shot programs to make scheduling as convenient as possible.


Quality Staff

Summit Health provides a highly trained nursing staff to conduct on-site health screenings and immunization clinics. If desired, Summit Health also provides on-site counselors for more comprehensive information and individual counseling at flu clinics.