Voluntary Benefits Magazine Blog

Award Recognizes CyberKnife Benefits for Employees and Employers

SUNNYVALE, Calif., November 30, 2011 – Accuray Incorporated (Nasdaq: ARAY), the premier radiation oncology company, today announced that the company received the Outstanding Innovative Improvement Award for its CyberKnife® Robotic Radiosurgery System at the 3rd Annual Employer Healthcare Congress, which took place October 25 – 28, 2011 in Chicago.

The award was presented to Accuray in recognition of the fact that patients treated with the CyberKnife System are able to complete treatment in five days or less, compared to radiation therapy treatments, which typically require up to 40 treatment sessions. This significant reduction in the number of daily treatments helps patients get back to work faster, benefitting employees and employers alike. The CyberKnife System targets tumors anywhere in the body and delivers high doses of radiation with pinpoint accuracy. Unlike any other radiation delivery system, the CyberKnife System tracks and adjusts treatment delivery to compensate for tumor motion, including respiration.

“Treatment with the CyberKnife System is typically completed in five or fewer outpatient sessions, compared to the six weeks of daily treatments typical with conventional radiation. Fewer daily treatments allow the employee to get back to their normal schedule, including work, resulting in less stress for the employee and a more efficient workplace for the employer,” said Jonathan Edelheit, president of the Employer Healthcare Congress. “Accuray has made a tremendous effort to ensure that employees are aware of the full range of options so they can make an informed treatment decision. We wanted to recognize Accuray’s innovative technology, as well as its education efforts with this award.”

The Employer Healthcare Congress is among the largest healthcare conferences in the United States. One of the major highlights of the conference is the Leadership Awards given for both excellence in Corporate Wellness and Voluntary Benefits. The Outstanding Innovative Improvement Award honors a company that not only has brought a healthy innovation to employees, but also a cutting-edge approach to changing the way we deal with chronic illness and critical care, all while helping employers reduce healthcare costs.

“Accuray is honored to receive this award from the Employer Healthcare Congress recognizing the advantages that the CyberKnife System offers not only to employees, but employers as well,” said Euan S. Thomson, Ph.D., president and chief executive officer of Accuray. “This award reaffirms our commitment to developing personalized, leading-edge treatment solutions that help cancer patients live longer, better lives. This means not only treating their tumors, but also helping them return to their normal lives as soon as possible.”

About Accuray
Accuray Incorporated (Nasdaq: ARAY), based in Sunnyvale, Calif., is the premier radiation oncology company that develops, manufactures and sells personalized innovative treatment solutions that set the standard of care, with the aim of helping patients live longer, better lives. The Company’s leading edge technologies – the CyberKnife and TomoTherapy Systems – are designed to deliver radiosurgery, stereotactic body radiation therapy, intensity modulated radiation therapy, image guided radiation therapy, and adaptive radiation therapy. To date, more than 200,000 patients worldwide have been treated using the Company’s technologies and more than 598 systems have been installed in leading hospitals around the world. For more information, please visit www.accuray.com.

Safe Harbor Statement 
The foregoing may contain certain forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including uncertainties associated with the medical device industry. Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters set forth in this press release, including statements relating to patient experience and employee & employer benefits are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date the statements are made and are based on information available at the time those statements are made and/or management’s good faith belief as of that time with respect to future events. You should not put undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual performance and results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements we make include: clinical effectiveness, range of treatment options, clinical applications, and market acceptance of products and other risks detailed from time to time under the heading “Risk Factors” in our report on Form 10-K for our 2011 fiscal year, our form 10-Q filed on November 8, 2011 and our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company’s actual results of operations may differ significantly from those contemplated by such forward-looking statements as a result of these and other factors. We assume no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect actual performance or results, changes in assumptions or changes in other factors affecting forward-looking information, except to the extent required by applicable securities laws.

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Contacts: Rebecca Phillips / Helen Shik
Public Relations Manager, Accuray / Schwartz MSL
+1 (408) 716-4773 / +1 (781) 684-0770
rphillips@accuray.com / Accuray@schwartzmsl.com

The Employer Healthcare Congress has reported its third annual conference to be a huge success with a higher and more diverse level of attendees.

Chicago, Ill.- The Congress, partially integrated with the Medical Tourism Association, successfully connected employers and attendees, while presenting hot topic presentations and sessions from leaders in the industry.
Leaders in the industry were able to connect with top healthcare providers from around the world, attend more than 50 sessions focused on Insurance and Employer Healthcare, streamline and implement international healthcare options, walk the Exhibit Hall, and have full access to all the Medical Tourism Association sessions and exhibit halls throughout the entire event.

European Cross Border Healthcare was a hot topic of conversation as Bernard Merkel, head of the Food Safety, Health and Consumer Affairs section of the Delegation of European Union/Commission, presented on strategies related to the opportunities hospitals and governments have to invest in their healthcare infrastructure.
Bill Rancic, the first winner of NBC’s “The Apprentice,” opened the sessions on Thursday with a presentation on entrepreneurial practices, while Cecil Wilson, the 165th President of the American Medical Association, presented on the future of healthcare and healthcare Reform in the United States. John Casey, the Director of International Benefits for Google, Inc., gave insight into how to create the “healthiest employee in the world.” Rounding out the keynote speakers were President of Twist Image Mitch Joel, who presented the importance of marketing in social media in the workplace; and, Dr. Robert Rey, specialist in minimal scar plastic surgery, focused primarily on the importance of working with charities and building an international surgical practice.
The Employer Healthcare Congress looks forward to its 4th annual conference, which will take place in Fort Lauderdale/Miami, Florida on October 24-26th, 2012, at the five star Westin Diplomat Resort on the beach.

http://www.employerhealthcarecongress.com

The 3rd Annual Voluntary Benefits & Limited Medical Conference is pleased to announce Beazley Group as a Silver Sponsor at the conference, October 26th-28th in Chicago.

Liberty Mutual is an industry leader in group auto and home voluntary benefits with more than 7000 companies nationwide offering our program.  Employees and retirees can enjoy discounts on auto and home insurance at no direct cost to their company and with minimal effort by their HR or Benefits Manager.

“Liberty Mutual is pleased to join the 3rd Annual Voluntary Benefits & Limited Medical Conference for the first time this year.  We are the industry leader in sponsored auto and home voluntary benefits, with over 7,000 companies countrywide offering our program.   Through our Affinity partnerships, employees and retirees can enjoy discounts on auto and home insurance at no direct cost to the employer.  Our dedicated Account Managers will administer the program and work with you to create a customized marketing and enrollment plan that meets your needs.  Superior service, along with exclusive product offerings such as Employee Parking Guard, allows us to continue to excel in the voluntary benefits arena.  We are excited to join the 3rd Annual Voluntary Benefits & Limited Medical Conference to bring our products and services to your workforce.”

As a Silver Sponsor, Liberty Mutual will receive multiple benefits including premium recognition throughout the conference, preferred exhibit booth placement and numerous networking opportunities. Liberty Mutual’s Mark Parabicoli, Assistant Vice President & Managing Director – Auto & Home Voluntary Benefit Programs, will be speaking with Allen Hymovitz, Benefits Manager at Draper Laboratory, on “The Value of Voluntary Benefits in an Employer’s Portfolio of Benefit Offerings.”

This year we have allocated a budget to bring up to 400 employers of healthcare, including Human Resources and Benefits Professionals. The conference will feature up to 1400 attendees and 140 exhibitors. Save the date today by going to the Voluntary Benefits & Limited Medical Conference website, www.voluntarybenefitsconference.com , and register for this once a year event.  Accomplish in three days what would otherwise take you years to do.  Come to the only voluntary benefits and limited medical conference in the country that truly brings together the nation’s largest employers and industry professionals. 

The conference is the dedicated annual event of the Voluntary Benefits Association, the nonprofit trade association in the Voluntary Benefits & Limited Medical industry, www.vbassociation.com, and media partner Voluntary Benefits Magazine, www.volutnarybenefitsmagazine.com , dedicated solely for the voluntary benefits and limited medical industry.

The 3rd Annual Voluntary Benefits & Limited Medical Conference will be sharing an exhibit hall with the Self Funding Employer Healthcare and Workers Compensation Conference, www.selffundingconference.com, the Corporate Wellness Conference, www.corporatewellnessconference.com, and the Healthcare Reform Conference, www.healthcarereformconference.com. Participants and attendees have the opportunity to network with registrants for all of the Employer Healthcare Conferences, providing four times the traffic and networking for everyone attending any of the conferences this year.

The 3rd Annual Voluntary Benefits & Limited Medical Conference is pleased to announce Beazley Group as a Silver Sponsor at the conference, October 26th-28th in Chicago.

With unprecedented turbulence in the marketplace, producers need an insurer nimble enough to help develop profitable business opportunities and stable enough to commit to long-term collaboration. Beazley offers gap protection products that provide employees with valuable protection against life’s uncertainties, and help employers broaden benefit options to address employee needs.

“Beazley is pleased to participate in this conference at an unprecedented time of change in the marketplace.  We recognize that interest in voluntary benefits is as strong as ever, given the growing need for timely solutions that address uncertainties, fill gaps and protect income.”  

As a Platinum Sponsor, Transamerica will receive multiple benefits including tremendous media exposure, premier exhibit location, and sponsorship of the Employer Healthcare Congress networking lunch.

This year we have allocated a budget to bring up to 400 employers of healthcare, including Human Resources and Benefits Professionals. The conference will feature up to 1400 attendees and 140 exhibitors. Save the date today by going to the Voluntary Benefits & Limited Medical Conference website, www.voluntarybenefitsconference.com , and register for this once a year event.  Accomplish in three days what would otherwise take you years to do.  Come to the only voluntary benefits and limited medical conference in the country that truly brings together the nation’s largest employers and industry professionals. 

The conference is the dedicated annual event of the Voluntary Benefits Association, the nonprofit trade association in the Voluntary Benefits & Limited Medical industry, www.vbassociation.com, and media partner Voluntary Benefits Magazine, www.volutnarybenefitsmagazine.com , dedicated solely for the voluntary benefits and limited medical industry.

The 3rd Annual Voluntary Benefits & Limited Medical Conference will be sharing an exhibit hall with the Self Funding Employer Healthcare and Workers Compensation Conference, www.selffundingconference.com, the Corporate Wellness Conference, www.corporatewellnessconference.com, and the Healthcare Reform Conference, www.healthcarereformconference.com. Participants and attendees have the opportunity to network with registrants for all of the Employer Healthcare Conferences, providing four times the traffic and networking for everyone attending any of the conferences this year.

Issue #27 of the Voluntary Benefits Magazine has been released. Read the 27th issue of the monthly magazine dedicated exclusively to Limited Medical, Mini Medical and Worksite Insurance Products at www.VoluntaryBenefitsMagazine.com.

The 27th issue of Voluntary Benefits Magazine features an insightful article by Carrie Stringham entitled “Benefits That Really Matter: What Females Want.” Stringham outlines five major themes from her own phenomenological study, which includes concern for family responsibilities and the desire for increased flexibility and control. Also featured this month is a case study with information on partnering with employee benefit brokers by Peter Molnar, and an article by Brandon Todd arguing the importance of Medicare Supplement Insurance for the aging workforce.

Read the Voluntary Benefits Magazine exclusively online at http://www.voluntarybenefitsmagazine.com/read-online.html?url=issue-27.

Voluntary Benefits Magazine is also the official sponsor of the annual Voluntary Benefits Conference & Limited Medical Conference, http://www.VoluntaryBenefitsConference.com.  The dates for 2011 are October 26th-28nd, in Chicago.  This is the only national voluntary benefits conference in the country with a focus on employers.

In 2011, The Voluntary Benefits Conference will discuss the next evolution of innovative voluntary benefits, mini-medical and limited medical products, such as mini-major medical plans and which mini medical carriers in the marketplace are launching these innovative products.

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The complete list of attendees as of August 8, 2011, for the Voluntary Benefits and Limited Medical Conference has been released.

Participation in the Voluntary Benefits and Limited Medical Conference is up 93 percent from previous years, making this the largest number of participants ever. Promising to be “bigger and better than before,” the conference plans to welcome 1,500 attendees, up to 100 speakers, up to 140 sponsors and 400 top employer groups around the country.

To view the entire 2011 List of Attendees at the Voluntary Benefits and Limited Medical Conference website please visit http://www.voluntarybenefitsconference.com/list-of-participants.html.

The Voluntary Benefits Magazine was created by some of the original founders and creators of voluntary benefits, limited medical and mini medical plans who believed that this industry and the worksite industry which is a multi-billion dollar industry, was extremely underserved and does not get the attention it deserves.

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Thousands of companies provide either insurance products or vendor services and solutions in this industry, and yet there is not a single dedicated magazine or conference for this industry. Employers and agents even to this day do not know where to look for quality worksite insurance carriers, vendors who provide unique solutions and where to find the best mini medical or limited medical plans.

This Voluntary Benefits Magazine promises to provide you the most cutting edge advice and expertise, not by writers who know nothing about the industry, but written by the experts actively involved in the worksite industry who will give you practical advice that you can immediately use, and it will be advice and expertise that will provide you with ROI ( a Return on Investment.). We guarantee our readers that by reading our Voluntary Benefits Magazine each month they will receive an ROI of their time!

By Jonathan Edelheit

I think one of the problems we are facing with the declining health of Americans is that we are trying to tackle the problem on too large of a basis; a macro level, when we should be focusing on a micro level.  I think some insurance companies or employers think we can significantly change the way employees think, act and behave, and so we try to implement large programs to encourage these monumental changes.  The truth of the reality is that we need to think small, atfirst.  We need to get individuals to want to change, and it doesn’t need to be a big step.  Even a little step, can be like a ripple in a pond that has much larger implications, because once an individual takes that small step and  wants to become healthy, a true transformation will happen.   As an industry, we need to focus on where motivation lies at the core of the employees.

Our challenge is truly the fact of that matter that we are all busy in our daily work lives and caught up with family at home.  In today’s culture, it can be overwhelming to fully engage in a healthy lifestyle.  Between the constant distractions on TV, unhealthy food everywhere, and the fact walking has become an art form and we simply drive from place to pace, it can be a true challenge to eat right and find time to exercise.

Here’s a thought- Let’s stop focusing on saying that we want employees to “engage” in healthy behavior, and instead, focus on motivating employees to want to engage in one simple, healthy behavior.  If employees set an attainable goal, one that makes them feel better about themselves when they take action, they will strive  to achieve even more.  Once we can accomplish this, only then can we get employees to engage in an overall healthier lifestyle.

Issue #26 of the Voluntary Benefits Magazine has been released. This is the only magazine dedicated strictly to limited medical and voluntary benefits solutions for employers.

Read the 26th issue of the monthly magazine dedicated exclusively to Limited Medical, Mini Medical and Worksite Insurance Products at http://www.VoluntaryBenefitsMagazine.com.

The 26th issue of Voluntary Benefits Magazine features information released from the 2011 Employer Healthcare and Benefits Survey. Also featured is an article by Jason Goldberg regarding utilizing remote health management systems, and an feature by Scott Krienke detailing new information in alternative supplemental plans.

Voluntary Benefits Magazine is also the official sponsor of the annual Voluntary Benefits Conference & Limited Medical Conference, http://www.VoluntaryBenefitsConference.com. The dates for 2011 are October 26th-28nd, in Chicago. This is the only national voluntary benefits conference in the country with a focus on employers.

In 2011, The Voluntary Benefits Conference will discuss the next evolution of innovative voluntary benefits, mini-medical and limited medical products, such as mini-major medical plans and which mini medical carriers in the marketplace are launching these innovative products. Those who still wish to register should visit http://www.voluntarybenefitsconference.com/registration.html.

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The Voluntary Benefits Magazine was created by some of the original founders and creators of limited medical and mini medical plans who believed that this industry and the worksite industry, which is a multi-billion dollar industry, was extremely underserved and does not get the attention it deserves.

Thousands of companies provide either insurance products or vendor services and solutions in this industry and yet there is not a single dedicated magazine or conference for this industry.

The Voluntary Benefits Magazine promises to provide readers with the most cutting edge advice and expertise, not by writers who know nothing about the industry, but written by the experts actively involved in the worksite industry who will give readers practical advice that they can immediately use.

The 3^rd Annual Voluntary Benefits & Limited Medical Conference is pleased to announce Transamerica as a Platinum Sponsor at conference, October 26^th-28^th in Chicago.

Transamerica companies have been helping people create better futures for over a century. The Transamerica Worksite Marketing is a division of Transamerica Life Insurance Company that designs and markets voluntary group life and supplemental health insurance products. As one of the nation’s fastest-growing providers of voluntary benefits in the U.S., Transamerica Worksite Marketing fills the gap in coverage that working families may face. Transamerica Worksite Marketing offers customized enrollment options that make the process convenient and efficient and provides employers with Web-based services for easy and expedient reconciling of monthly billing statements

“Transamerica Worksite Marketing is excited about participating and serving as a sponsor at the 3^rd Annual Voluntary Benefits and Limited Medical Conference this year, especially during a time when our industry is faced with so many important issues” says John Stanley, Chief Marketing Officer for Transamerica Worksite Marketing. “This will be a great opportunity not only to network and meet new and old friends, but this conference will also bring together employers, brokers, consultants, enrollment firms, TPAs, insurance companies and other industry leaders to talk about the healthcare reform bill (The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act), corporate wellness, self-funded employer healthcare, the role of technology services, and other hot topics of the day.”

Stanley adds, “In an industry that is undergoing rapid transformation, this is an important conference for everyone involved in the Voluntary Benefits industry to attend. We are looking forward to being a part of this great event.”

As a Platinum Sponsor, Transamerica will receive multiple benefits including tremendous media exposure, premier exhibit location, and sponsorship of the Employer Healthcare Congress networking lunch.

This year we have allocated a budget to bring up to 400 employers of healthcare, including Human Resources and Benefits Professionals.  The conference will feature up to 1400 attendees and 140 exhibitors.  Save the date today by going to the Voluntary Benefits & Limited Medical Conference website, www.voluntarybenefitsconference.com , and register for this once a year event.  Accomplish in three days what would otherwise take you years to do.  Come to the only voluntary benefits and limited medical conference in the country that truly brings together the nation’s largest employers and industry professionals.

The conference is the dedicated annual event of the Voluntary Benefits Association, the nonprofit trade association in the Voluntary Benefits & Limited Medical industry,   www.vbassociation.com, and media partner Voluntary Benefits Magazine, www.volutnarybenefitsmagazine.com , dedicated solely for the voluntary benefits and limited medical industry.

The 3^rd Annual Voluntary Benefits & Limited Medical Conference will be sharing an exhibit hall with the Self Funding Employer Healthcare and Workers Compensation Conference, www.selffundingconference.com, the Corporate Wellness Conference, www.corporatewellnessconference.com, and the Healthcare Reform Conference, www.healthcarereformconference.com.  Participants and attendees have the opportunity to network with registrants for all of the Employer Healthcare Conferences, providing four times the traffic and networking for everyone attending any of the conferences this year.

PRLog (Press Release) – Jul 13, 2011 – The Employer Healthcare Congress recently showcased each of its four publications at one of the largest Human Resources Conferences in US, which took place in Las Vegas this past week; the Corporate Wellness Magazine, Voluntary Benefits Magazine, Self Funding Magazine and Healthcare Reform Magazine.

Over 13,000 HR professionals and decision makers attended and the Employer Healthcare Congress was able to educate employers about the benefits of the Corporate Wellness, Voluntary Benefits, Self Funding & Workers Compensation, and Healthcare Reform industries.

The Employer Healthcare Congress had the opportunity to network and present to the HR professionals current trends in Corporate Wellness, Voluntary Benefits, Self Funding Healthcare and Healthcare Reform. The Employer Healthcare Congress was also able to spread awareness about its 3rd Annual Employer Healthcare Congress which will be held in Chicago, October 26th-28th.

A large area of interest for many of the employers HR professionals Employer Healthcare Congress connected with was the Employer Free VIP Pass. This year the Employer Healthcare Congress is providing complimentary registration to up to 400 HR professionals and Benefits Directors. The Employer Healthcare Congress proudly announced its 2011 Leadership Awards, recognizing leaders and innovators in the Corporate Wellness, Voluntary Benefits, and Self Funding industries. Many employer accepting their Leadership Award nominations and HR Professionals at the conference were interested in learning about participation in the Leadership Awards.

Jonathan Edelheit, CEO of the Employer Healthcare Congress stated, “It was crucial for the Employer Healthcare Congress to have a large presence as the SHRM event. We were able to network and build positive relationships with leading Employers. There was a valuable interest in our magazine and in this year’s event.” Jonathan continues, “Based on the positive response we received at this year’s SHRM event, this year’s Congress will have significantly larger participation from Employers and much larger participation in the VIP program.”

Many of the HR professionals the Employer Healthcare Congress spoke with regarding the VIP Program included companies like: Coca-Cola, Boeing, Chevron, Family Dollar, Abercrombie & Fitch, Denny’s, Red Bull, Ace Hardware, Procter & Gamble, and Amazon.

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The Employer Healthcare Conference is one of the largest US healthcare conferences in the country with up to 1,500 attendees and up to 140 exhibitors and sponsors. The congress is made up of 4 cutting edge and innovative conferences: Corporate Wellness Conference, Voluntary Benefits and Limited Medical Conference, Self Funding Employer Healthcare and Workers Compensation Conference and the National Healthcare Reform Conference.

The conferences focus on employers and also the agents, brokers and consultants that advise employers. The Employer Healthcare Conference is focused on advanced education and intense networking and is the only US healthcare conference to implement proprietary networking software that allows attendees to pre-schedule up to 50 private one-on-one meetings at the conference to maximize their time and increase their opportunities for new business opportunities and partnerships.