Organizations 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 medical 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, employers are – more than ever – looking to get staff members engaged in Workplace Wellness Programs as a means of slowing medical care costs and improving productivity.
For example, last year 53% of large employers provided health risk assessments (HRAs) for their staff, up from 35% just two years earlier, according to a Mercer survey. Change is being driven by cost, but Workplace Wellness Programs a win-win solution for both employers and staff members.
Here are other Workplace Wellness Program trends organizations are implementing:
More companies are integrating Workplace Wellness Programs into their benefits plans. If they want the best plans or the lowest personal costs, they need to participate in the Workplace Wellness Program and meeting minimum objectives.
More companies are providing onsite weight loss programs as part of the Workplace Wellness 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.
Organizations are providing more Workplace Wellness Programs designed to assist staff members with chronic health conditions: health coaches, nurse advice lines, telephone counseling, and self-study guides
Organizations are providing more internet-based Workplace Wellness Program interventions and health information resources
More companies are providing regular onsite employee health screenings including cholesterol, glucose, A1c, blood pressure, weigh-ins, and other checks as a part of their Workplace Wellness Program. Some Workplace Wellness Programs even include bone-density checks and skin cancer screenings.
Many companies are providing fitness programs, either in the community or onsite, as a part of their Workplace Wellness Program.
Corporations are providing more incentives, prizes and rewards getting engaged in Workplace Wellness Program 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.
Organizations 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 Wellness Program return on investment (ROI).
Wellness companies are providing great resources for organizations’ 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.
Organizations who are becoming more proactive are making a big impact on their future medical care expenses and productivity. Ohio State University announced that they expect to save $30 million dollars with their comprehensive Workplace Wellness Program over the next 5 years!
Workplace Wellness Programs and prevention are sound ideas whose time has come. Health promotion is more fun and less expensive than treating disease.
References: TIME in partnership with CNN, “Businesses Help Workers Lose Weight.” Website accessed July 2007.
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