Employee Health Screening

Corporations are no longer able to trim extra savings out of their health insurance programs, and most businesses have been cost shifting, asking employees to cover more of their healthcare 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, businesses are – more than ever – looking to get employees engaged in Employee Health and Wellness Programs as a means of slowing healthcare costs and improving productivity.

For example, last year 53 percent of large businesses provided health risk assessments (HRAs) 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 and Wellness Programs a win-win solution for both businesses and employees.

Here are other Employee Health and Wellness Program trends organizations are implementing:

More businesses are integrating Employee Health and Wellness Programs into their benefits plans. If they want the best plans or the lowest personal costs, they need to participate in the Employee Health and Wellness Program and meeting minimum goals.

More businesses are offering workplace weight loss programs as part of the Employee Health and Wellness Program, especially after Duke University’s new research showing the high cost of overweight employees and increased cost for worker’s compensation for sedentary and overweight employees.

Corporations are offering more Employee Health and Wellness Programs designed to assist employees with chronic health conditions: health coaches, nurse advice lines, telephone counseling, and self-study guides

Corporations are providing more internet-based Employee Health and Wellness Program interventions and health information resources

More businesses are providing regular workplace employee health screenings including cholesterol, glucose, A1c, blood pressure, weigh-ins, and other checks as a part of their Employee Health and Wellness Program. Some Employee Health and Wellness Programs even include bone-density checks and skin cancer screenings.

Many businesses are providing fitness programs, either in the community or workplace, as a part of their Employee Health and Wellness Program.

Corporations are providing more prizes, rewards, and incentives getting engaged in Employee Health and Wellness Program activities

Some businesses are adding emphasis to health maintenance. It’s one thing to lose weight or stop smoking; it’s another to maintain these changes. Helping employees 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 Employee Health and Wellness Program ROI.

Wellness businesses are providing great resources for companys’ employees 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.

Corporations who are becoming more proactive are making a big impact on their future healthcare expenses and productivity. Ohio State University announced that they expect to save $30 million dollars with their complete Employee Health and Wellness Program over the next 5 years!

Employee Health and 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.