As employees select their health benefits for 2011, many may be unaware that their health plans offer health and wellness programs and other value-added benefits and resources at no additional cost. But employers are paying for them, since employees who engage in these benefits may be healthier, more productive – and have lower healthcare costs.
The following is a review of some of the benefits and steps employers can take to maximize their effectiveness for the sake of their work force and their company.
Depending on the policy, employees may be able to:
- Lower their prescription drug costs. Many health plans offer savings for participants who use generic drugs or preferred brands. Others offer savings with “half-tablet” programs in which doctors prescribe a larger dosage and the patient uses a device to split the medication. Splitting pills can help consumers reduce their medication co-pay by half.
- Enroll in a Healthy Pregnancy program. Some insurance plans offer education, health assessments and personal-support resources to help guide expectant women through their pregnancy optimally.
- Have 24/7 access to a nurse. Trained, licensed nurses available via telephone 24 hours a day are a helpful resource to answer basic health questions. They are especially helpful during after-hours or for minor health issues that do not require an immediate trip to the urgent-care clinic or ER.
- Receive check-up reminders. Many health-benefit plans can alert members as to when it’s time to visit the doctor for check-ups and annual preventive care, such as mammograms, pap smears, vaccinations and physicals.
- Request electronic prescriptions. Electronic prescriptions as well as online personal health records enable plan participants to get information online to more easily track their prescription and health histories. Such tools are proven to reduce medical errors and improve outcomes.
- Take a health risk assessment. Many plans offer online health self-assessments that help even well-informed people learn more about their current conditions and risks. Often they provide interactive advice and coaching about how people can change their health behaviors and lifestyle to improve their health.
Also, employers have found that implementing simple, employee-driven wellness programs that allow individuals to earn incentives (such as premium credits) have contributed to improved employee health, office morale and health insurance savings, among other things.
Monetary or other types of incentives are big motivators for employees to exercise regularly, eat healthfully or quit smoking. Wellness programs also are great ways to build teamwork within your organization. In addition, having healthy employees can make a positive impact on an employer’s bottom line.
Wellness research indicates employer health-promotion programs can be directly linked to improved productivity, reduced absenteeism, greater health knowledge, better health behaviors, and a reduction in chronic health conditions. Past studies have shown that for every dollar invested in worksite health promotion, there is a medical cost savings of $3.48 and an absenteeism cost savings of as much as $5.82. Healthy employees offer companies a competitive advantage, with increased retention and lower medical costs.
Incorporating these efforts into your business and taking advantage of the benefits start at the top. Senior executives can set an example by attending wellness functions and demonstrating involvement in other ways. The support of leadership demonstrates to employees that the wellness program is a high priority for your organization.
Encouraging employees to take part in a health assessment also will help identify the most significant health issues for your organization, and can help you develop long-range plans to address them. Set attainable and measurable goals for your work force such as reducing the number of employees who smoke from one year to the next.
By using all available resources and adopting employee-wellness programs, it’s now easier for employees to get or stay healthy, and even to find ways to reduce their out-of-pocket health expenses. Encourage them to read their health insurance policies to get a better understanding of the resources at their disposal and take full advantage of them.