Posted by Employer Wellness | Posted in Employer Wellness | Posted on 27-10-2008
Businesses are no longer able to trim extra savings out of their health insurance programs, and most organizations have been cost shifting, asking staff members to cover more of their health care costs. Health insurance costs continue to climb (10 percent or more per year) at 2-3 times the general inflation rate. With nowhere else to turn, corporations are – more than ever – looking to get staff members engaged in Employee Health Promotion Programs as a means of slowing health care costs and improving productivity.
For example, last year 53 percent of large corporations offered Health Risk Assessments for their staff, up from 35 percent just two years earlier, according to a Mercer survey. Change is being driven by cost, but Employee Health Promotion Programs a win-win solution for both corporations and staff members.
Here are other Employer Wellness Program trends organizations are implementing:
More organizations are integrating Employee Health Promotion Programs into their benefits plans. If they want the best plans or the lowest personal costs, they need to participate in the Employer Wellness Program and meeting minimum goals.
More organizations are offering onsite weight loss programs as part of the Employee Health Promotion Program, especially after Duke University’s new research showing the high cost of overweight staff members and increased cost for worker’s compensation for sedentary and overweight staff members.
Businesses are offering more Employee Health Promotion Programs designed to assist staff members with chronic health conditions: health coaches, nurse advice lines, telephone counseling, and self-study guides
Businesses are offering more internet-based Employer Wellness Program interventions and health information resources
More organizations are offering regular onsite employee health screenings including cholesterol, glucose, A1c, blood pressure, weigh-ins, and other checks as a component of their Employee Health Promotion Program. Some Employee Health Promotion Programs even include bone-density checks and skin cancer screenings.
Many organizations are offering fitness programs, either in the community or onsite, as a component of their Employee Health Promotion Program.
Corporations are offering more incentives, prizes and rewards getting engaged in Employer Wellness Program activities
Some organizations are adding emphasis to maintaining health. It’s one thing to lose weight or stop tobacco; it’s another to maintain these changes. Helping staff members stay engaged and maintain their health changes is important for long-term success.
Businesses are putting more emphasis on keeping healthy people healthy rather than just working primarily with high-risk individuals. Research shows this approach results in a greater Employer Wellness Program ROI.
Wellness organizations are offering great resources for employers’ staff members over the Internet – online wellness centers, monthly health and wellness newsetters, wellness challenges, internet-based points tracking systems, virtual fitness programs, internet-based wellness coaching or interventions, interactive health calculators, healthy recipes, even downloadable health tips for your iPod.
Businesses who are becoming more proactive are making a big impact on their future health care expenses and productivity. Ohio State University announced that they expect to save $30 million dollars with their comprehensive Employer Wellness Program over the next 5 years!
Employee Health Promotion Programs and prevention are sound ideas whose time has come. Health Promotion is more fun and costs less than treating disease.
References: TIME in partnership with CNN, “Businesses Help Workers Lose Weight.” Website accessed July 2007.