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Dr. George Castidy, chief radiologist for Good Ohephtrd Hospital in Barriagtoa watches as radiology technician Dori Nelsoa operates a machine which will allow her to see a three-dimensional X-ray sample of the patient Sach technology has enabled hospitals to forgo time-consuming exploratory surgery which usually resulted in longer hospital stays. fcltenry Paint, Page 4 - PLAINDEAI.ER-HERALD. FRIDAY. JANUARY 25. IMS Citations issued by police in McHenry-area accidents Two drivers were ticketed following a two-car accident on Maple Avenue that occurred last Steven Allen Matuzak, 3802 Maple, McHenry, was driving east on Maple at about 8:42 a.m. The morning sun made it dif­ ficult to see and his car struck a vehicle parked in the roadway. ktor of the other M. Dotson, 935 Drive, McHenry, told police investigators the car would not start and she believed •total left it ftr enough oH the Mahaak was ticketed for faflnre to reduce speed to avoid an. accident and Dotson was cited for obstructing traffic. Patricia L. Schlender, 4703 Shore Drive, McHenry, was ticketed for failure to yield the right-of-way after she repor­ tedly pulled out from a parking lot into the path of another vehicle in the 4700 block of Crystal Lake Road. Schlender said the tires were on the icy pavement " her exit onto the Crystal Lake blacktop. Tlie driver of the other vehicle -- David Sarabia, 5113 Fountain Lane, McHenry. The accident occurred at 7:17 jum. Jan. 15. A two-car collision in the 3700 block of Elm Street resulted in a citation for one driver. Leonard M. Tngrassia, 817 Chsseficld, Crystal Lake, was reportedly attempting to pass another vehicle in the rci™ Street parking lane when his car ind another collided, according to the police report. Tngrassia told police he did not see the othervehicle until the accident happened. The other driver, Keith R. Nelson, 5422 Woodland, McHenry, told police he was which making' a left turn when the collision occurred. Ingrassia was ticketed for improper passing. The collision occurred at 9:19 a.m. Jan. 16. James A. Umbarger Jr., 914 Laguna, McHenry, was dtod for failure to yield the right-of-way after two cars collided near the intersection of Crystal Lake Road and Main Street. Um­ barger said he was waiting to make a left turn when traffic gave him space and a driver waved him on. The Umbarger vehicle struck a car driven by Russell V. Campbell, 11 Pomeroy, Crystal Lake. The accident occurred at 5:15 p.m. Jan. 17. A failure to yield the right-of- way citation was given to a driver involved in a two-car collision. Donald J. Spreitzer, 1741 Verde, Mt. Prospect, HI., was ticketed after the truck he was driving and another vehicle collided in the 3900 block of Kim Street Jan. 18. Spreitzer told.police another driver motioned' him out of a parking lot before the collision occurred. The driver of the other car was WadeC. Bruce, 5010 W. Elm St., McHenry. No citations were issued in a two-car collision in the 1300 block of Richmond Road on Jan. 18. Mark Smith, 311N. Green St, McHenry, said he was driving south in the left turn lane when another vehicle entered the lane and a collision ensued. The driver of the other car, Catherine A. Schultheis, 3402 W. First Ave., McHenry, said upon making a left turn onto Rich­ mond Road the two cars collided. Turning Point offers alternatives to violence Many are aware of the violence in the world today. But most are unaware of the widespread violence in the home. The victims range from a scalded infant, to battered spouse to neglected senior citizen. It crosses all races, cultures, educational and economic classes. It has been and continues to be a recurrent tragedy in society. Finally, it leaves scars on the children who perpetuate the violence as they grow older. Not because they wish to, but because they have been taught that violence is common and sometimes ac­ ceptable. They have not been taught any problem solving skills or alternatives to violence. Turning Point provides an alternative, lit is a non-profit organization designed to prevent domestic violence. The 24-hour stressline offers con­ fidential information, support and referrals to abusers, vic­ tims and their families. Discussion groups are available to share feelings, ideas and search for other answers than violence. Since no fees are required, the agency depends mainly on volunteers. They are trained and experienced in dealing with all aspects of domestic violence. Persons who need help may call Stressline at 338-8080. Those wishing to help should call 338- 8081. . WILL IT LAST? Step up to a New LENNOX Pulse furnace and high efficiency LENNOX AirConditioner (2*nl Kftenxvt 3511S. WRIGHT RD. CRYSTAL LAKE HEATING AND COOLING SINCE 1931 Call 459-2300 FINANCING AVAILABLE SALES 24 HOUR SERVICE ----COUPON--- $Ooo OFF •H (THE REGULAR PRICE) ANY LARGE DOUBLE DECK OR DEEP PAN PIZZA OFF (THE REGULAR PRICE) ANY LARGE THIN CRUST PIZZA MONDAY, TUESDAY OR WEDNESDAY OFFER EXPIRES 1 COUPON PER ORDER The Pi2za With The Golden Crust" LAURIES PIZZA 4811 W. Elm, Rt. 120 McHenry IL 344-5960 HOURS: Mon.Ttauri. 4p.m.-11p.m. Fri. & Sat. 11 a.m.-1 a.m. Sun. 3p.m.-11p.m. Health care benefits vary with employers Editor's Note: The following is the fourth and final installment la the McHenry Plaindealer Herald's series on health care costs. This article examines the "big business" of health cafe, and how employers very in providing benefits. ByJuneCsvarretta Herald news service Health care benefits represent the single largest business ex­ pense for most companies today. In response, many companies havfe modified their health care plans. According to Nancy Fleming, group insurance manager for the Robert Moll Insurance Agency in East Dundee, most employers reimburse 80 percent of health costs rather than the 100 percent coverage of the past. *• "Costs to the employer depend on many variables," Fleming said. 'The age of its employees, the location of the company, the in* dividual jnake-up of the group... businesses know what they want when they come to us. We help them design a plan to fit the ifl- dividual employees of their company." Some companies change insurance carriers frequently in hopes of reducing costs, Fleming noted. "Some insurance companies won't touch a business who has bad more than three carriers," she added. "That's called hopptne. But business is like a roller coaster. It always changes, and eventually the costs all catch up anyway." Crystal Lake School District 47 dealt with rising insurance premiums by opting for a self-insurance program, which now Is in its second year. " We're happy with the program," said Ron Miller, district business manager. "It began with the idea that we could keep funds here in the district and accrue interest on those funds while watting for employee claims." An agency that acts as a clearinghouse processes claims, taking about a 10 percent profit,,much less than the 20 to 30 percent the district's previous insurance company kept. Although the program is beingreviewed for possible modifications, Miller said the district is pleased with how the agency has handled claims so far. "I think the program meets the basic needs of the family," said Al Cunningham, past president of the teachers' union and a negotiating team member. "It doesn't top out in case of a catastrophic claim, and I think most employees are satisfied with it." Cunningham added that a standing Insurance committee exists and health insurance is an issue "always on the table." He sees preventive health measures as a coming trend and thinks it could come up in future negotiations. Good Shepherd Hospital in Barrlngton offers area employers an outreach program focusing on keeping employees healthy. "A wellness program in the work place does cost money," said Vicky Mayer, public relations manager for the hospital. "But the savings in the long run are quite substantial. An employee has been trained for many years and is an integral part of the staff. These programs can detect disease in its earliest stages and save employees. And certainly from the human standpoint, According to Mayer, U.S. business and industry lost $76 billion in lfett due to employee illness. Heart attacks, cancer and strokes are among the top diseases. ' ; Good Shepherd launched the program two years ago and Mayer reported increased interest from the industrial, manufacturing and white collar sectors. Employers may Choose the programs that serves the individual needs of their employees. Programs are offered on a variety of topics, such as stress management* breast cancer detection, and smoking cessation. Mayer said the philosophy of the hospital administration is "whenever we offer something to the community at large, we offer it first to our employees. We feel they are part of the community, and a most important part, as our family." In keeping with that philosophy, the hospital taught its female employees how to check for breast cancer and Offered a com* plimentary mammogram. Four hundred women participated. Employers have helped combat rising health care costs in several ways. Many insurance programs require second opinions for pending surgeries, with the employer often paying the entire fee. Employers also have established stricter guidelines for reim­ bursement of claims. A Friday admission may result in a reduced reimbursement, because it ean result in a longer stay because hospital services are available over the weekend. Although everyone knows about rising health care costs, not everyone knows the factors driving costs up. Mayer said reduced government funding has been a devastating problem for hospitals. Technology is another factor. "We're fortunate to be a technologically advanced hospital," Mayer said. "We have state- of-the-art equipment, but these modalities are expensive." A growing elderly population also contributes to rising costs, because the elderly are major health care users and often need more intense care. Health care today also offers more options. Health Maintenance Organizations, free-standing emergency surgery centers, and Preferred Provider Organizations have hurt hospital finances. Good Shepherd offers patient services that help reduce costs while still providing quality care. Day Surgery, out-patient ser­ vices , pre-admission testing, reduced stays, and birthing options that include a 24-hourstay lessen costjs to the consumer, the employer, and the hospital. Such options afeoininftnize time away from home and family. - •< > Similar programs offered throughout the state helped hospitals hold its expenses to a S.l percent increase in 1983, whereas the na­ tional average increased 10.2 percent. But perhaps the most significant trend in holding down costs is consumer awareness of health procedures and options. According to the Illinois State Chamber of Commerce, con­ sumers have become aware of the need to "shop" as carefully for health care as for any other product. ' As employers embrace preventive health care measures, and employees are urged to attend on-site health promotion programs and carefully weigh health care options, health care -costs are showing signs of stabilization. BRING IN THIS AD 1 ! FOR*!io'6OFF" I | YOUR NEXT MEAL | • FRIDA Y FISH FRY •McHENRY AMERICAN LEGION £ j SOS N. RINGW00D RD. 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