Allegheny Wood Products received the 2023 Health Plan Hero award in a ceremony held June 12 in Washington, DC. Allegheny Wood Products’ leadership was recognized for its outstanding employer-sponsored health program by national healthcare industry professionals.
John Crites, II, president of Allegheny Wood Products, was honored alongside 10 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, DC.
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. Allegheny Wood Products was recognized for its health plan that combines utilizing an independent third-party administrator, separate medical network, and a pharmacy benefit management service with a concierge approach and an on-site physician to provide all employees with accessible and affordable care. This plan helped the company save $1 million for the 2022 plan year.
“From the very beginning of our company 50 years ago, we have always considered our employees to be our greatest asset. We strive every day to provide a safe workplace, an environment that challenges and encourages our employees to grow with the company, and provide quality benefits,” said Crites. “I am humbled by receiving this award, and thankful for the employees at AWP whose efforts help make our benefits programs and our workplace something we can all be proud of and most important is indeed a benefit for our employees.”
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 percent from 2015 to 2020, and deductibles for single-covered workers rose by 25 percent during that same time period.
“Allegheny Wood Products 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, chief executive officer 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 is truly disrupting the way healthcare is delivered and paid for in this country.”
