12/18/2006  New Asuris Engine community offers advice, support

When it comes to exercising, parenting, eating healthier, and navigating the health care system, we can use all the help we can get. Members of the Asuris Engine (www.myasuris.com) are now turning to message boards on the Engine’s new My Community section, which has opened up member-to-member dialogue on many compelling topics.

Here’s a peek into several message board conversations:

On dieting:
“Portion control is so important. Unfortunately I have to really remind myself about that and retrain myself from my ‘eat everything on the plate’ mentality that I grew up with.” –seattlejay

On working out in the morning:
“While I have a very hard time motivating myself to get up early enough, I know it is the best thing to do. My method is to plan my day better so I can get to bed earlier.” –walkor

On getting your kids to talk about school:
“Usually getting dialogue out of a senior boy in high school isn't that easy. But conversation at the dinner table is extremely important, I believe.” –bpumcdiva

In addition to talking to each other, members are talking directly to experts, discussing topics ranging from healthy cooking and weight training to health benefits and motivational goal-setting. Kelly Constant, certified personal trainer and wellness coordinator for Regence, hosts a regular “Ask the Expert” message board on fitness.

“I think the message boards are important because members can get reliable information that they know they can trust,” says Constant. “They can also know that they’re not out there on their own. When it comes to weight loss, fitness and lifestyle choices, there are others going through the same thing.”

Offering an open forum to members may seem like an innovative but perhaps risky idea for a carrier. However, as far as Asuris’ leaders are concerned, the benefits outweigh the risks.

“Within the world of health care, we know it takes a community to support a member. What better way to support members than by bringing them together in dialogue?” says Will McKinney, vice president of Consumer-Directed Health Systems. “My Community is giving our members tools to help each other. We are moving to a new level of support, allowing them to talk among themselves about how the system can change to meet their needs in real-time.”

To address the risks, all message board posts are read by Community Moderators, who have authority to remove inappropriate postings. Moderators are not only active members of My Community—keeping conversations lively and on topic—they are also there to help members, pointing them to other areas of the Engine, answering customer service questions, referring them to an outside source for help, or bringing an expert into the conversation to provide a professional opinion.

If you have questions about myasuris.com, talk with your Asuris Sales contact.

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