Group Health Cooperative
In 1947, consumer-governed, prepaid group medical coverage was a radical idea. When Group Health began, there was a major gap in health care that left most middle-class people without coverage.
Union members, farmers and people from other cooperatives enacted a vision of a progressive, prepaid medical care system. Today access to health care is even easier for the co-op's members with Group Health's online tool, MyGroupHealth.
After being diagnosed with hyperthyroidism, Ron White was introduced to the site's services. "My endocrinologist explained how the services could save me a lot of time and effort, and was he ever right," he said.
White quickly discovered how much he could do online: schedule doctor's appointments, read after-visit summaries, view lab results on his computer — often the same day he had the tests.
And that's not all. "If I have questions or concerns, I send a secure e-mail to my doctor," said White. "When my medication is running low, I don't have to waste gas and time driving to a Group Health pharmacy. I just order the refill online and within a few days the medication arrives at my home and there's no delivery charge."
Traci Allen would have spent the better part of 18 months in the doctor's office if not for online access to care. Traci's son was plagued with ear infections at the time. Through e-mail and Group Health's online services she was able to communicate with doctors and keep track of abundant medical records she needed when filling prescriptions or visiting other specialists.
GHC is one of the few health care organizations in the country governed by consumers rather than internal executives. Its 11-member board of trustees — all cooperative members elected by other members — works closely with management and medical staff to ensure that the organization's policies and direction put the needs of patients first. And this dedication is evident even as Ron White goes online to manage his health. "While I was disappointed to learn that I have a chronic health condition, I count myself lucky that I'm a Group Health member with all the tools available through MyGroupHealth."
Learn more about Group Health Cooperative at www.ghc.org.