State-of-the-art wellness programs and employee health care costs!...can they be decreased?....YES!Wellness programs enable employers to decrease health care costs. Good wellness programs include comprehensive menus of services designed to increase the length and quality of lives.
CARF International recently gave a very high commendation to Mt. Rogers Community Service Board, one of our clients, for exemplary conformance in the area of staff wellness programs. They stated that "staff members are afforded the opportunity to select from three different employee assistance programs to assist with personal issues. The organization has made arrangements to provide staff members and family members with annual full-lab screenings at no cost to the staff member. The organization believes this has played a significant role in the early detection of illness, which has led to reduced insurance costs and no increase in health insurance costs this fiscal year and only a minimal increase in the last year. Other elements of its program include wellness training programs conducted throughout the year, covering a range of wellness issues. Currently, the organization is developing a program to foster creativity with the goal of increasing overall health, which includes developing individual skills and talents, leading to more positive thoughts and feelings."
Mt. Rogers reports that in the last three years, total health cost norms have decreased from 36% above the Anthem norm to 4.6% above the norm; prescription drug costs have decreased from 72% above the Anthem norm to 18% above the norm; inpatient facilities have decreased from 74% above the Anthem norm to 4.8% below the norm; inpatient professional has decreased from 48% above the Anthem norm to 9% above the norm; outpatient facilities have decreased from 30% above the Anthem norm to 8% above the norm; outpatient professional has decreased from 28% above the Anthem norm to 9% below the norm. The decreases began after the implementation of an employee wellness program – three years ago. Also, employee contributions to their family insurance plan have increased insignificantly while contributions for single coverage have remained the same at 0%. This is due to decreases in overall healthcare costs.
Over the past three years there have been significant decreases in the number of Mt. Roger’s participants with high cholesterol levels, high body fat, elevated blood pressure, thyroid abnormalities, and the number who report they are experiencing stress and depression. There have been significant increases in those who are eating healthier and exercising more. Three years ago, 61 people were referred to their physician; this year 16 people were referred to their physician; three years ago, there were 52 high risk people; this year, there are 21 high risk people; three years ago, there were 101 moderate risk people; this year, there are 45 moderate risk people. This year statistics report that 59% of the Mt. Rogers participants have made significant improvements in their health over the past three years. Wellness programs do provide a solution to the increasing cost of health care! A comprehensive wellness program offers a solution to the increasing cost of health care with programs that focus on awareness, prevention, and education.
Rather than addressing the tip of the iceberg by testing for the most obvious risk factors, a comprehensive program discovers health problems that if overlooked can become serious enough to cost both money and lives.
Sandra Breeding is the founder and owner of Lotusea Wellness Group, Inc., which has been providing wellness programs to companies for eighteen years, as well as franchising and licensing the Lotusea business model. Sandra is a seasoned business owner with over thirty years in the health care industry, with professional experience including clinical nutrition, hospital administration, consulting, and speaking engagements.
