BAC's "hands-on" approach encourages employees to become better buyers of health care. BAC's involvement goes beyond the typical cost containment plan which only shifts the cost back to the employee. BAC believes in ongoing employee communications and educational programs that act as a reminder of alternative health care services such as outpatient surgery. BAC's newest "hands-on" program has BAC staff members working with patients and their physicians prior to and during hospital stays. The result has been fewer days per hospital confinement.