AVON, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Magellan Health Services, Inc. (NASDAQ: MGLN) has been honored with the American Cancer Society’s Corporate Impact Award for Excellence in Tobacco Control, the society’s highest level of recognition, for Magellan’s efforts to create a tobacco-free workplace. Magellan and other companies were honored at the American Cancer Society’s 2011 Corporate Impact Conference held this month in Minneapolis.
“As a premier health care company, Magellan must lead by example and create a workplace that embodies the same healthy ideals that we envision for the people entrusted to our care,” said René Lerer, M.D., chairman and CEO of Magellan, who received the award on Magellan’s behalf and attended the CEOs Against Cancer national meeting. “Change is never easy, but we’re proud of the progress we have made and the support we have put in place to help our employees achieve a healthier lifestyle.”
Since August 1, 2010, Magellan has been a tobacco-free work place, prohibiting the use of tobacco products by employees, contractors or visitors anywhere on Magellan’s properties. Magellan employs more than 4,900 employees nationwide in more than 30 locations.
“It will require bold leaders like Magellan to help our nation kick the habit of smoking and tobacco use, and we are proud to have them as a partner in creating a world with less cancer and more birthdays,” said Donald J. Gudaitis, chief executive officer for the American Cancer Society, New England Division.
In rolling out the new company-wide tobacco policy, Magellan worked with the American Cancer Society, taking advantage of webinars and training sessions the society offers to help companies understand and plan for the concept of moving to a tobacco-free work place.
Magellan has offered its employees and their dependents free access to the Free & Clear Quit For Life Tobacco Cessation program to help curb or quit their use of tobacco. In the six years that the program has been available to Magellan employees and dependents, 630 participants have used the program in their efforts to quit. Magellan also offers a Tobacco-Free Support Center through the company’s intranet that includes links to additional resources and support from organizations like the American Cancer Society.
In addition to helping employees stop smoking, the new policy at Magellan has helped many employees stay smoke-free after overcoming lifelong tobacco use. Debbie, a Magellan employee who had smoked for more than 40 years, was diagnosed with small cell lung cancer last summer and decided to quit smoking the day she received her diagnosis. “It was a challenging time for me, but having a smoke-free workplace and the positive reinforcement made it so much easier for me to quit,” said Debbie. Less than six months later, her cancer was gone and she credits the program for providing the support and motivation to stay smoke-free. “Magellan helped me save my life, and I’m grateful for everything that helped me give up smoking along the way to a healthier life.”
About Magellan Health Services: Headquartered in Avon, Conn., Magellan Health Services, Inc., is a leading specialty health care management organization with expertise in managing behavioral health, radiology and specialty pharmaceuticals, as well as public sector pharmacy benefits programs. Magellan delivers innovative solutions to improve quality outcomes and optimize the cost of care for those we serve. Magellan’s customers include health plans, employers and government agencies, serving approximately 58 million people nationwide in our behavioral and radiology benefits lines, more than 40 payors in our specialty pharmaceutical benefits segment, and 25 states and the District of Columbia in our Medicaid Administration segment. For more information, visit www.MagellanHealth.com.