Opt Health continues to gain traction with the first responder community, recently signing two contracts with police departments in Central California.
Opt Health, a California-based healthcare company focused on health optimization and ongoing care, has emphasized service to the first responder community for the last three years. The company offers a 50% discount for first responders and their spouses on initial blood tests and the all-important consultation with an Opt Health physician.
“We know they (first responders) are at higher risk,” said Chris Collins, Opt Health’s lead for strategic partnerships. “With their shift work, diet can be an issue, the hours they work has an impact, and the chronic stress involved in the job has a tremendous effect on health outcomes.”
“We can help officers stay healthier and be more productive, both on duty and at home.”
Opt Health’s services were explained in detail at last fall’s California Association of Tactical Officers (CATO) Conference. Sgt. Jon Blount, who leads the SWAT (Special Weapons and Tactics) unit for the Ceres Police Department, liked what he heard.
“We saw their presentation in November at CATO,” Blount said. “It sounded good, so we took it to the team.”
After vetting the program through Blount’s experience (he functions as the department’s wellness officer), the team voted unanimously to raise money to cover a year of membership fees to access the service. The program has spread across the Ceres department.
“They tell you a lot about how to eat, live, best exercise practices,” Blount said. “It’s about staying away from toxins… I’m very happy with the program. I have more energy, and actually feel younger. The Pheno Age is pretty cool to see in your dashboard.”
Opt Health doctors review 55 biomarkers from the initial blood test to prepare an individualized program for better health and longevity. The first in-depth consultation is followed up with quarterly updates to be sure clients are staying on course, with adjustments as necessary.
Dr. Graham Simpson, Opt Health’s Medical Director, explains the importance of adjusting lifestyles and adding supplements when necessary.
“Genes load the gun, but our lifestyle pulls the trigger!” he said.
To help those lifestyle adjustments along, a deeper analysis is available through Epigenetics. That test shows how the body is allowing proteins to interact with DNA, impacting bodily functions. That includes proclivity toward diseases like cancer.
“We did the epigenetic tests too,” Blount said. “We wanted to go a little deeper. And it works; the insights were incredible!”
Word spread about the Opt Health plan, Blount said. The Stanislaus County Sheriff’s Office inquired, and the Turlock Police Department reached out. Turlock is 10 miles down Highway 99 from Ceres.
Turlock Police Chief Jason Hedden decided to try the Opt Health program personally. He said he was particularly impressed with the thoroughness of the medical staff after his consultation with Dr. Simpson.
“Hands down, no question, the best doctor I’ve ever worked with,” Hedden told Collins. “I don’t know what you pay him, but it’s not enough!”
Hedden and his wife have both enrolled in the Opt Health program. They were able to take advantage of the first responder discount, which covers both the officer and the spouse.
Turlock PD had recently received a $50,000 wellness grant, and the chief started conversations with Opt Health about what it could do for the police force. That grant turned into a six-month pilot program that covers 45 sworn officers at no cost to them.
Turlock’s program only began a couple of weeks ago, and there already has been interest from other Turlock employees. Collins said he expects the relationship to grow.
One of the things Ceres and Turlock have in common is the ability to offer the Opt Health program at no cost to the individual employees. At Ceres, the SWAT Teams’ association signed the contract (and has already voted to renew in the fall). Turlock is using grant money now.
“Some things like this just take time to grow,” Collins said about cities supporting employees through Opt Health. “Down the road, it might make sense for all municipal workers, maybe as a union benefit, or using HSA or FSA accounts. The preventative, proactive approach just makes sense and is what’s needed right now in healthcare.”
Opt Health was founded four years ago and recently partnered with economic development consulting firm Sunstone Cities to expand outreach to local departments.
For more information about the Opt Health approach to wellness, go to getopt.com.
About Opt Health
Opt Health is headquartered in San Francisco. It offers personal, preventive care through advanced diagnostics to design data-driven treatments. Each individual is unique, and receives a unique plan specific to them. These plans could include hormone therapies, medications, supplements, and lifestyle adjustments. For a free consultation, call 855-409-7235.
About Sunstone Cities
Sunstone Cities is an economic development consulting firm that helps local government leaders unlock economic development, new business formation, and job growth. Data-driven insights, industry expertise and public-private partnerships help cities revitalize economies, attract businesses and better monetize community assets. Contact Ryan.Phong@sunstonecities.com to schedule a free introductory meeting or visit www.sunstonecities.com to learn more.