Healthy Workers Are Productive Employees.
From the White House to office desks, wellness programs continue to be a hot topic.
For years, businesses across the country have been offering wellness incentive programs to employees. A wellness incentive program helps workers live healthier lives and rewards them for meeting goals like quitting smoking, going to health classes, and exercising more. The rewards can include cash, lower healthcare insurance costs, and gift cards. Some programs even increase premiums for those who do not stop activities like smoking.
It's typically a win-win. Employers have workers who do more and miss less work because of health problems. Employers with healthier employees also spend less each year on healthcare costs. Employee members tend to be healthier and happier with their jobs.
In some cases, being in a wellness program can even save a life. In 2009, CNN reported on a Virginia resident who found out that he had cancer because of a wellness program health test. Without the test, he might not have found out about his cancer for years. Read the whole story here.
More and more people are signing up.
A Human Resource Executive Online story points to studies that prove that more people are signing up. One New York firm found that more employees, 67 percent in 2010 compared to 64 percent in 2008, are OK with their health plan or business lowering premiums for healthy workers and those who take steps to take better care of themselves.
The same study found that 47 percent didn't mind if costs were raised for those who do not wish to take such steps. This number is up from the 39 percent finding in 2008.
New thinking is needed for long-term benefits.
Many incentive programs may not be enough to keep people living healthy down the road. Money, gift cards, and insurance savings are nice and can encourage workers to live healthier. But some experts believe that helping people create a healthy lifestyle is key.
"What will really push the needle beyond…cash…will be the cultural model," said Dr. Ronald Loepke, vice chairman of U.S. Preventive Medicine, in Human Resource Executive Online..
Dr. Loepke said that getting people to build healthy lifestyles will have better results than simply rewarding them.
"…Then, it's not just a… New Year's resolution, but people actually building it into their…routines," He said.
Catherine Fillmore, project manager at the University of Michigan Health Management Research Center., told Human Resource Executive Online, "The ideal program may start with an incentive but companies need to encourage individuals to…take responsibility for their health…"
She said companies need to do several things. One, offer easy-to-use programs. Two, talk clearly about them. And three, support them every day, in every way they can.
In other words, the company should walk the walk, not just talk the talk. Bosses should take part right along with lower level workers. And the company should create a work space that supports healthy living.
It's important to change the work environment to promote health. Otherwise, says Dee W. Edington, director of the University of Michigan Health Management Research Center, "the chances of that change being sustained are minimal."
HumanaVitalitySM - a wellness rewards program.
HumanaVitality is an incentive-based wellness and loyalty program that mixes rewards with health. The program gives Humana members the tools they need to make healthy choices.
HumanaVitality is part of the Humana medical plan for commercial members. It rewards members for things like going to health classes, quitting smoking, and working out. But unlike some programs, it encourages long-term lifestyle changes for employees and even their families.
Beginning with July 1, 2011, renewals, HumanaVitality will be available to all Humana commercial health plan members in select states.
Top five things to know about HumanaVitality.
- HumanaVitality is a wellness and loyalty plan that rewards healthy lifestyle choices. Members earn points for engaging in healthy activities. For every point earned HumanaVitality also give members a buck that can be redeemed at the HumanaVitality mall, for rewards such as movie tickets and hotel rooms.
- HumanaVitality offers program choices and rewards for members' children. In this way, members are encouraged to be a positive example for children. When family is involved, there could be a greater chance for better health and program success.
- The member is in the driver's seat. HumanaVitality lets each member create a plan for their own health and wellness. We understand that every employee has different goals, lifestyles and challenges. HumanaVitality is flexible so that members can get healthy in the best way for them. Members can also choose not to participate in the program.
- HumanaVitality is easy. The program tracks points automatically from partners such as gyms and fitness devices.
- HumanaVitality empowers your employees to improve their own health. And it rewards them for making healthy lifestyle choices. A healthy workforce means increased productivity and engagement, less time off, and lower health-related costs. The program offers tools to support members' healthier choices with little effort on the company's part.
Healthier employees. Healthier business.
In tough economic times, it's more important than ever to have healthy, loyal employees. It is also important to have a leg up when it comes to hiring new people. HumanaVitality is great for both. It cannot solve every issue that comes up. But it can help you build a happier, healthier, and more productive workforce. And when your workforce is strong, so is your business.
To learn more, listen to this where you can submit questions and a Humana representative will contact you to answer your questions.
Links to various other Websites from this site are provided for your convenience only and do not constitute or imply endorsement by Humana of these sites, any products or services described on these sites, or of any other material contained therein. Humana disclaims responsibility for their content and accuracy.
