HAGERSTOWN, Md. — Horizon Goodwill Industries today received the 2023 Health Plan Hero award in a ceremony held in Washington, D.C. Horizon Goodwill leadership was recognized for its outstanding employer-sponsored health program by national healthcare industry professionals.
David Shuster, President and CEO of Horizon Goodwill Industries, was honored alongside ten other winning businesses and participated in expert round table discussions with employees, human resource representatives, patient advocates, CEOs, and healthcare benefit design experts in Washington.
The program, developed by the national non-profit organization Patients Rising, recognizes companies with innovative health plans that expand patient access to care, lower out-of-pocket costs, lower employer spending, and are competitive due to increased workforce health, productivity, and savings. Horizon Goodwill was recognized for its health plan that created an open-access network, added direct primary care, and redesigned its pharmacy cost containment program while still reducing per-employee annual spend by 26%.
“We appreciate being recognized with the Health Plan Hero award for our efforts to provide improved access to quality care while controlling costs for the organization and our employees,” said Shuster. “Our mission at Horizon Goodwill Industries is “removing barriers to social mobility” and with the support of EBS as our benefits advisor, we are committed to developing innovative strategies that holistically advance the health and wellness of our workforce. While uncomfortable at times, we are taking a ground-up approach to address the challenges with access and cost that has become the norm with our healthcare and insurance system.”
The award program was launched last year in response to nationwide increases in health coverage premiums and deductibles. Family premiums have increased by an average of 22% from 2015 to 2020, and deductibles for single-covered workers rose by 25% during that same time period.
“Horizon Goodwill and those honored today prove that it is possible to provide insurance that expands patient access to care while saving money for both employee and employer,” said Terry Wilcox, CEO of Patients Rising. “Employers are the biggest providers of health insurance in this country, and these companies show that by taking a hands-on approach to their health plans, they can not only save money but also provide more affordable, accessible care to their employees. This truly disrupts how healthcare is delivered and paid for in this country.”
More details on Horizon Goodwill’s Health Plan Hero award are available here.
About Patients Rising: Patients Rising is a non-profit organization serving patients and caregivers living with chronic or rare illnesses and disabilities. We work directly with these healthcare users in learning, seeking, and advocating for access to the care they need.