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Employee Wellness Programs Reduce Group Insurance Premiums and Build a Healthier Workforce

One of the fastest growing trends in the corporate world today is the implementation of employee wellness programs. The reason is simple; it benefits both employee and employer in numerous ways. And with rates of obesity in our society reaching disturbing levels, emphasis on wellness in the workplace is needed today more than ever.

How a Wellness Program Works

Employee wellness programs are usually set up with the help of a health insurance broker who works with a group health provider and the business to coordinate the program so it can function smoothly within that particular organization. Once implemented, the program is normally administered through the HR department. For smaller businesses without an HR department, the program may be run by the owner or someone in the higher levels of management.

A workplace wellness program can be structured in a number of ways depending on the size of the company and what makes sense for them. For example, a larger company may invest in an on-site workout facility and personal trainers for employees, while a smaller office might choose to offer incentives for employees that use a health club membership. However they choose to structure the program, the end goal remains the same—building a healthier and more productive workforce.

A successful wellness program will normally contain a combination of penalties and incentives for employees to get involved. To participate, the first thing an employee is usually required to do is get a health assessment screening. Failure to receive a screening may result in paying higher premiums and / or a reduction in the employer contributions to their group health plan. Screenings should be done bi-annually or at the very least annually to determine the overall health (and progress) of the employee.

After the initial screening, an employee may be encouraged to participate in one or more of the following:

• Weight Loss Programs
• Quit Smoking Programs
• Nutritional Improvement Programs

If an employee chooses to participate in these programs and shows measurable progress over time, they may be rewarded with lower premiums. Some organizations also include rewards programs such as reimbursements from the HR department for health club memberships with a certain number of visits per month, or even an earned points system for participating in certain healthy activities. Points earned are later redeemed for certain prizes like a bicycle or an Ipad.

Employee Wellness Program Benefits

Adding a workplace wellness program can provide numerous benefits for both employee and employer. Some of the benefits for the employee include:

• Reduced health insurance premiums
• Ability to lose weight and/or quit smoking on the company’s dime
• Free workouts either on-site or at an employer-approved health club
• Other rewards / incentives based on the organization’s individual plan
• Greater overall health/longer life expectancy

The employer’s investment in a company wellness plan can yield several benefits for them as well, including:

• Lower group health insurance premiums
• Reduced employee illnesses / number of days absent
• Increased employee morale
• Increased employee productivity
• Reduced employee turnover / new employee training costs
• Overall healthier and happier employees

One final note-for a wellness program to be successful, it has to begin at the top. This means participation by top levels of management, as well as those who work in the HR department that is normally administering the program. If the employees see that management is serious about it, they are much more likely to participate in it themselves. To learn more about the benefits of an employee wellness program and how to set one up in your business, speak with a qualified health insurance broker in your area. They will be able to guide you through the ‘ins and outs’ of how such a program could work well inside your organization.

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