Worksite Health and Wellness Programs in a Down Economy
Worksite Health and Wellness Programs and Healthcare Costs
Worksite Health and Wellness Programs are more important now than ever. According to an article in the Wall Street Journal, with the troubles in the economy it seems that the costs of organization provided medical care keep continuing to grow and it doesn’t seem like it is going to change. The article states that during the year 2008, United States companies can expect to see an increase of 10% in medical care costs.
This increase in medical care costs is causing some small companies to reduce their worker health benefits or get rid of them altogether.
Worksite Health and Wellness Programs for Healthier Lifestyles
Worksite Health and Wellness Programs do offer an option for small companies. The corporations can offer discounted co-pays and deductibles to those staff members that fully participate in the offered Worksite Health and Wellness Program. Full participation means getting health screens, receiving a health risk assessment, and then working with their wellness coordinator to work towards a healthier lifestyle.
The healthier the staff members, the lower the overall medical care costs for the corporation. Just one lengthy hospital stay can almost deplete a small business’ medical care budget.
Worksite Health and Wellness Programs and Your Bottom Line
Worksite Health and Wellness Programs offer many advantages to a corporation’s bottom-line. Worksite Health and Wellness Program Statistics from Prudential Insurance show a benefit expense of $312 per person enrolled in a Worksite Health and Wellness Program compared to an expense of $574 per worker that wasn’t enrolled. Coors Brewing Company showed a positive side-effect of participant absenteeism dropping by 18%, thus greater production and less medical care costs overall.
