Green Bay, Wis.- (Feb. 26, 2008) — Earlier today, Destiny Health’s parent company, South Africa-based Discovery Holdings, announced they are transferring Destiny’s insured block of business to a major – but as-of-yet unnamed – U.S.-based insurance company. Destiny will instead focus its efforts on its Vitality wellness/fitness program, a reward-based wellness program that has been proven to reduce healthcare costs.

This decision affects the local Healthy Lifestyles Cooperative of Brown County, through which 172 companies and about 3700 people have their insurance. The HLC has been quick to respond with information on the move’s effect on HLC members’ continuity of coverage and rates.

"Destiny has agreed to continue to provide health insurance at its current cost to the Healthy Lifestyles Cooperative until Jan. 1, 2009," notes Randy Connour, executive director of the HLC. "As for 2009 rates, we just received the notice from Destiny this morning and so we haven’t had the opportunity to begin discussions with other insurers to find out how this may affect future rates for our members. We will address this promptly."

"There will be struggles as we figure out how to insure cooperative member companies that are incurring very high claims. But the HLC has some very experienced, intelligent and committed people who will guide us through this process," said Phil Hauck, president of the Healthy Lifestyles Cooperative board of directors. "Now, it’s up to each of us to improve claims experience immediately and to concentrate on helping our employees and spouses to make very wise, very cost-aware decisions as they take care of their health challenges."

Connour is quick to point out that while Destiny Health was steps ahead of other carriers a year and a half ago in regard to its insurance plans, other carriers have closed that gap.

The HLC will continue its focus in adopting the Vitality fitness model and achieving well above-average Vitality results. "The program is clearly the best on the market and their focus will make it even better," said Hauck. "We will certainly explore the possibility of continuing with Vitality even as we change insurance providers."

For more information, please contact Connour at (920) 593-3426.

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Established in 1882, the mission of the Green Bay Area Chamber of Commerce is to promote economic and community development. Chamber programs include Advance, Partners in Education, Leadership Green Bay, Brown County Teen Leadership, Current--the Young Professionals Network, Good Government Council, the International Business Development Consortium and the Small Business Council.

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