home
HealthLink
Vericom HealthLink Newsletter - December 2005
For more information, please visit www.vericom.net or call 1-800-800-1090
Was this newsletter forwarded to you by an associate? Subscribe to HealthLink.
Want to contact us? Contact Vericom
Health Observances: 2004-05 Health Observances Calendar Highlights.

December:

National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month

Safe Toys and Gifts Month

January:

National Glaucoma Awareness Month

National Volunteer Blood Donor Month


Vericom clients have full access to our Health Observances Calendar.

Access the Health Observances Calendar.

Please call 800-800-1090 if you need a password or have forgotten yours.
Choosing and submitting SoundCare messages is now easier than ever!

Visit the client section of the Vericom web site for our NEW and IMPROVED SoundIdeas submission process.
Access More Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
HealthLink Newsletter Archive
 
 
Are You Ready for Medicare Part D?
The enrollment period for Medicare Part D is upon us. Will this affect you? The truth is that this issue is widespread and complicated. That means consumers will be calling their local hospitals and their physicians for answers. Do you have a plan to assist consumers?

This article provides some key points for developing a sound communications strategy for Medicare Part D. I hope you find it useful in your planning.

Robert J. Loeb, President & CEO
Vericom Corporation

7 Steps to Address the Communication Challenges
of Medicare Part D
These days it's hard to get through a periodical without finding an article about the upcoming implementation of the federal government's Medicare Part D program. For the most part, the news is not good. Healthcare trade publications and mainstream business press alike seem to run an article an issue painting a grim picture of seemingly inevitable chaos on January 2, 2006-the effective date of the Part D benefit.

Talk to someone inside the managed care world right now, and things seem somewhat frantic. Those accountable for launching their companies' Part D programs-mainly marketing departments and those responsible for senior or government programs, say the task is daunting.

Read the full article - Powered by HealthLeaders
Wyoming Valley Health Care System Tackles Key Communications Challenges with SoundCare
A complex and diverse health system like Wyoming Valley Health Care depends on powerful communications channels, like that offered by Vericom's SoundCare, to provide continuity across both internal and external communications programs.

Wyoming Valley Health Care System is located in Northeastern Pennsylvania and includes the area's largest acute care hospital, Wilkes-Barre General Hospital, and the leading behavioral health hospital, First Hospital Wyoming Valley, located in the Nesbitt Memorial Medical Center. Wyoming Valley continually seeks to improve communications to help secure their reputation as a healthcare leader. Like many health systems, Wyoming Valley has, over the years, undergone facility and service changes that, at times, may have lead to confusion among patients, physicians, and employees. The marketing team has utilized SoundCare's on hold and in queue communications programs on many different levels to simplify and clarify these changes for their calling audiences.

The transitioning of key services to one centralized site in order to improve the access to, and quality of, comprehensive health care presents a communications challenge. Educating internal and external audiences about such changes can be daunting given the intricacies of a large health system. "If the information is too overwhelming, and we can't explain it well, people tend to become confused. SoundCare helps sort things out and clarify the complexities of our system for everyone," says Kimberley Kindler, Special Projects Coordinator.

Knowing their image and reputation are largely influenced by their ability to communicate effectively to internal and external audiences, Wyoming Valley Health Care System uses SoundCare to target their marketing messages. "Every month we use SoundCare to support our wide spectrum of marketing and advertising. We fully capitalize on the diverse ways we can use SoundCare to get our message across," adds Kindler.

SoundCare also provides Wyoming Valley with the opportunity to manage their communications cost-effectively, because they can readily change messages when desired, unlike other types of media. "We regularly use SoundCare to recruit new employees, promote and further brand our service lines, promote health observances, and encourage registrations for screenings and events. SoundCare's clarity and continuity are vital to our communications efforts," says Kindler. "SoundCare helps to further support and sustain our communications efforts; ultimately enhancing both our culture and our reputation."

 
 
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What are Vericom's SoundAdvice Hot lines?
Hot lines are an effective tool for delivering critical information to your community. After all, when consumers need information fast they pick up the phone. When they do, you need to be ready to address your callers' questions and direct them to the right resources.

Vericom's SoundAdvice hot lines are professionally written and produced by audio healthcare professionals and can be easily implemented with your auto-attendant system. Let us know what's "Hot" with you and we will develop a custom hot line to meet your needs.

We've produced hot lines for West Nile Virus, Blackouts, Quality Issues, and more. Ask about our Medicare Part "D" Drug Plan hot line available now.

Get more information on SoundAdvice Hot Lines, including demos.

 

 

   
Brought to you by:
Vericom
 
www.vericom.net
   
800-800-1090