Grand Opening of State-of-the-Art, On-Site Health and Wellness Center

Grand Opening of State-of-the-Art, On-Site Health and Wellness Center Provides Additional Resources to Help Walt Disney World Cast Members Lead Healthier Lives

Center for Living Well is “one-stop shop” for primary medical care for as many as 40,000 benefits-eligible Cast Members and their families

livingwell.jpg

Lake Buena Vista, Fla., Oct. 15, 2008 – Hundreds of Walt Disney World Cast Members completed a wellness walk around Epcot just in time to help officially open the Center for Living Well, a state-of-the-art, on-site health and wellness center that will provide eligible Cast Members and their families with a “one-stop shop” for primary medical care and related services, including a pharmacy, lab, basic radiology, and wellness and behavioral health resources.

“The opening of the Center for Living Well is a significant milestone in our journey to help Cast Members and their families lead healthier lives,” said Walt Disney World President Meg Crofton. “This special place will inspire Cast Members to take a proactive approach to their health and provide resources that will make it easier than ever before for them to take advantage of the many health and wellness resources Disney offers.”

Walt Disney World Resort selected Take Care Health Systems (formerly CHD Meridian Healthcare) to operate and provide medical and pharmacy services at the $6 million, 15,000-square-foot facility. As the operator of the Center for Living Well, Take Care Health has committed to providing Cast Members and their dependents who participate in the company’s health plans with:

* high-quality, personalized care facilitated by a multi-lingual staff of credentialed medical professionals;

* enhanced access to services through extended hours, weekend availability, proximity to work and same-day care for more immediate needs;

* coordinated treatment made possible by relationships with specialists and other facilities throughout the region, referral scheduling support and the latest in medical technology, including electronic medical records and prescriptions and digital radiology; and

* privacy and confidentiality, through strict adherence to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, and special facility design features, such as a sophisticated white noise system that enables private conversations, the use of pagers to facilitate efficient and discreet communication between patients and staff, and a unique exam room design that prevents others from seeing who is inside the room when the door is open.

“The Center for Living Well represents the best thinking in putting Cast Members first and we’re thrilled to be a part of it,” said Peter M. Hotz, president, Employer Solutions, Take Care Health Systems. “Forward-thinking companies like Walt Disney World are demonstrating that the strongest investment they can make is in the health and well-being of their people. This facility combines the best in medical care, pharmacy services and technology to create a healthcare experience unlike any other.”

Walt Disney World Resort continues to offer a variety of other programs and services designed to promote healthy living among Cast Members including:

o a choice of health care plans that enable eligible Cast and their dependents to select the plan that best meets their needs;

o preventive care benefits that are generally available at no additional cost to plan participants and their covered dependents;

o on-site health and wellness offerings, such as educational and screening opportunities, health fairs and discounts on weight loss programs and gym memberships;

o access to online tools and resources, such as a personal health assessment and a prescription drug price comparison tool; and

o programs to support health plan members with chronic conditions, such as diabetes and heart disease.

“Across our organization, Cast Members at all levels have been taking ‘one simple step’ toward a healthier lifestyle using the resources provided by our company,” said Al Weiss, president of worldwide operations for Walt Disney Parks & Resorts. “There is a lot of momentum around our wellness journey, and we will continue to engage our Cast Members in new and innovative health and wellness opportunities.”

Cast Members will continue to be able to access other Central Florida health care providers as defined by the health plan they select. Currently, more than 40,000 Walt Disney World Cast Members, plus their dependents, are eligible for health benefits.

Trending Now



Debra Martin Koma wrote about food, travel and lifestyle issues for a number of local and national publications before she fell in love with Walt Disney World on her first visit — when she was 34! She's returned to her Laughing Place more times than she can count in the ensuing years, and enthusiastically shares her passion with readers of AllEars.Net and AllEars®. Deb also co-authored (along with Deb Wills) PassPorter's Open Mouse for Walt Disney World and the Disney Cruise Line, a travel guide designed for all travelers to Walt Disney World who may require special attention, from special diets to mobility issues.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *