Worksite Wellness Programs

Worksite Wellness Programs and Healthcare Costs

Worksite Wellness Programs are more important now than ever. A recent article in the Wall Street Journal, with the troubles in the economy it seems that the costs of employer offered healthcare keep continuing to grow and it doesn’t seem like it is going to change. The article states that during the year 2008, American organizations can expect to see an increase of 10% in healthcare costs.

This increase in healthcare costs is causing some small organizations to reduce their worker health benefits or get rid of them altogether.

Worksite Wellness Programs for Healthier Lifestyles

Worksite Wellness Programs do offer an option for small organizations. The corporations can offer discounted co-pays and deductibles to those staff members that fully participate in the provided Worksite 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 reduce the overall healthcare costs for the corporation. Just one lengthy hospital stay can almost deplete a small business’ healthcare budget.

Worksite Wellness Programs and Your Bottom Line

Worksite Wellness Programs offer many advantages to a organization’s bottom-line. Worksite Wellness Program Statistics from Prudential Insurance show a benefit expense of $312 per individual enrolled in a Worksite 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 healthcare costs overall.