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