11.15.2006 - 04:31pm ET

(CSRwire) AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 15, 2006--Dell's (NASDAQ:DELL) leading-edge employee health initiatives are driving better health and fewer emergency room and hospital visits, leading to a 10 percent decrease in healthcare expenses for program participants, according to Dell CEO Kevin Rollins, speaking today to the Texas Coalition for Worksite Wellness.

Mr. Rollins described for business, policy and health-care leaders innovative initiatives such as personal health records that are automatically updated with pharmacy and medical claim information; an online, customized health-care cost transparency tool; an incentive plan for employees who complete an annual health survey and free voluntary on-site health screenings.

Data from Dell's recently completed U.S. benefits annual enrollment indicate that:

-- To date, more than half of all Dell U.S. employees have participated in the company's "Well at Dell" health improvement programs;

-- Since the launch of Dell's health improvement programs in 2004, the program participants have experienced 10 percent less in healthcare expenses than in prior years. These reduced costs results are primarily driven by a reduction in participant inpatient admissions and ER visits;

-- More than 8,000 Dell employees have created their online personal health record with regularly-updated claims information since the program was launched in April; and,

-- More than 10,000 employees received a $78 in health care savings after completing their annual personal health survey online.

Mr. Rollins also announced that Dell is one of the first companies to launch a new Health Care Cost Summary tool with Hewitt Associates that brings additional transparency to the true cost of what Dell employees pay for their health care, and what portion Dell pays. This new tool empowers employees to make health care enrollment decisions based on their actual claims, rather than estimates.

"Consumers can improve their health and wellness if they have better access to health information and tools that provide options and guide them in making informed health care decisions," Mr. Rollins said. "This belief is at the heart of Dell's health-care strategy, and it has driven us to develop innovative programs that encourage employees and their families to improve and manage their health."

As a top provider of technology to the health care industry, Dell also has taken a leadership position with efforts to upgrade the nationwide health system.

Mr. Rollins last year joined members of the Technology CEO Council in the release of its "A Healthy System" policy report. Chief among the report's recommendations was a call for business leaders to help improve health care by providing their employees with access to personal health records.

Dell has since held business leader-policymaker health care policy forums in Boston, Mass., Winston-Salem, N.C. and Nashville. The company's next forum is scheduled for Jan. 19, 2007 in Houston.

About Dell

Dell Inc. (NASDAQ:DELL) listens to customers and delivers innovative technology and services they trust and value. Uniquely enabled by its direct business model, Dell sells more systems globally than any computer company, placing it No. 25 on the Fortune 500. Company revenue for the past four quarters was $57.4 billion. For more information, visit http://www.dell.com. To get Dell news direct, visit http://www.dell.com/RSS.

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