We've become too accustomed to hearing the words "health care" only in conjunction with negative words like "crisis," "disaster" and "debacle."

However, it should come as no surprise that some really clever minds are currently creating innovative niche solutions that address the health care crisis one piece at a time.

These brilliant approaches, many of which were born of a need, initially operated on shoestring budgets, required significant personal sacrifices and were developed outside the public eye - for a good reason.

The old proverb that "too many cooks spoil the broth" is a handy analogy to pinpoint what went wrong with public health care reform.

Does the 'Biggest Loser' lose out?

One program many companies have latched onto is a "Biggest Loser"-style weight-loss challenge. However, when you examine the statistical reality, you realize that the biggest loser may eventually become the biggest gainer and yo-yo right back up to where they were before or even higher.

What you need instead is an approach that creates small, incremental improvements that can be sustained over time. The ideal system is one that employees already are familiar with, doesn't cross the privacy line, uses small incremental change and doesn't cost you a dime.

The first step toward defining such a program is to think about where most Americans make their nutritional choices: the point of purchase (i.e., the grocery store or restaurant.)

Research has shown that individuals with chronic conditions purchase food items that exacerbate their chronic conditions, food items that had a hand in leading them toward an unhealthy lifestyle in the first place. Diabetics, for example, consume 171% more frozen food than their nondiabetic counterparts.

But how does knowing this help you influence your employees' lifestyle choices? There's now a service that allows you to cross-reference your employees' shopping habits (in a HIPAA-compliant way) with your medical claims.

Once this step has been completed, your high-risk employees will receive targeted mailings containing food coupons for healthier options, making them more affordable and attractive.

The power of social networking

Good nutrition is a huge help in lowering weight and improving other key biometric data, but physical activity is the other piece of the puzzle. It's also the biggest obstacle because most people lack the discipline required to stick with it.

By creating an environment and providing the necessary tools in which employees are actively encouraged to join other employees in activities, you'll not only be helping your employees get physical, but helping them stay physical by providing a support system in the form of their co-workers.

How do you do this? Simply publish your goal - such as walk two miles through the park every other day, hike a nearby trail twice a week, play basketball on Wednesday nights - on your virtual information platform. Next, either invite specific people or openly post it to everyone.

By joining an existing activity or by posting your own activity, you've made a commitment to others who automatically become your support group and, if necessary, will hold you accountable.

The best part is that using a virtual platform that offers some of the most powerful features of social networking removes the employer from the picture - because few employees like to be monitored by HR or some other concerned corporate party while engaging in the rather private effort of exercising.

Home visits

Last but certainly not least, there's a service that addresses access to medical care, quality of care, and even cost of health care in an old-fashioned, but nevertheless very effective, way.

Microsoft Corporation's headquarters in Washington state might be one of the earliest adopters of a health care model reminiscent of the 1940s and 1950s, when doctors provided care at people's homes after hours and over the weekend. This type of service is rapidly gaining popularity across the country.

In fact, 70% of home visits keep employees out of urgent care centers and emergency rooms for routine care. It not only saves a ton in ER bills but also shows each employee how much they really matter to the company.

Home sick visits by a medical professional provide a refreshing health care experience that eliminates the hassles and inconvenience of running to the doctor, waiting, running to the pharmacy, waiting, and running to the grocery store all when you or your child feels their worst.

These examples of innovation in health care and healthy living are just a sampling of what is already available to you as an employer. There are many other new approaches that I've not listed that will play a key role in the reinvention of our national health care system and - more importantly - in how we manage our own health and well-being.

Contributing Editor Michael Puck, SPHR, is the benefits innovation leader for a global defense, security and aerospace company, author of "The High Road - Total Health Care Transformation Program," and founder of www.8020wellness.com. He can be reached at michael@cut-healthcare-cost.com.

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