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Employers are getting in the business of keeping employees healthy. There are
still those employers who will encourage employees to use the stairs instead of an
elevator, position gym equipment in a hard-to-find old storage space or put posters
up that tout the advantages of eating fruits and vegetables. But, those measures are
considered tame by todays standards.
Companies are developing not only attractive wellness programs, but creative
incentives to engage employees to participate in them. Just how far will employers
go to keep their employees healthy? Well, that all depends upon what those workers
or the programs that have been designed for them return on the companys
investment.
For employers who choose to go the route of incentives even those that include
deterrents the question then becomes not only which rewards or penalties, but
which behavior or outcomes to target and influence employees.
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Fidelity Investment and the National Business Group on Health report that 90 percent
of employees offer wellness incentives, or financial rewards, or prizes to employees
who work toward getting healthy. Thats up from 57 percent of businesses in 2009.1
The immediate objective is noble enough: to improve the health of employees. Not
a bad intention, considering the findings of a Canadian survey, which reported that
83 percent of primary health plan benefit members claimed they were more likely to
remain on the job if they believed their employer was seriously concerned about them
maintaining good health.2
Companies are putting their wallets where their mouths are as well. The Fidelity
Investment and National Business Group on Health also found that employers planned
to spend an average of $521 per employee on wellness-based incentives within
corporate programs. Those dollar amounts mark an increase of 13 percent from the
average of $400 reported for 2011, and double the per-employee average of $260
claimed in 2009. Whats more, Towers Watson reports that 84 percent of employers
plan to up spending for workplace health and wellness programs over the next two
years.4
1
New Healthcare Survey Finds Spending on Wellness Incentives has Doubled in the Last Four Years; Fidelity and National Business Group on Health; Feb. 27, 2013; http://www.businessgrouphealth.org/pressroom/pressRelease.
cfm?ID=207; Accessed Dec. 19, 2013
2
Sanofi Healthcare Survey; Sanofi-Aventis Inc.; December 2007; http://www.sanofi.ca/l/ca/index.jsp; Accessed Dec. 19, 2013.
New Healthcare Survey Finds Spending on Wellness Incentives has Doubled in the Last Four Years; Fidelity and National Business Group on Health;
Feb. 27, 2013; http://www.businessgrouphealth.org/pressroom/pressRelease.cfm?ID=207; Accessed Dec. 19, 2013.
Healthcare Reform Heightens Employers Strategic Plans for Healthcare Benefits; Towers Watson; Aug. 21, 2013; http://www.towerswatson.com/en/Press/2013/08/Health-Care-Reform-Heightens-Employers-Strategic-Plans-for-HealthCare-Benefits; Accessed Dec. 19, 2013.
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Investment in Health
Employers are banking that the investment they make
in healthy attitudes will pay dividends in their ability
to manage the escalating cost of healthcare benefit
offerings for both the employee and company.
While the benefits for employees can be both shortand long-term, a company that implements a wellness
program should expect to see a reduction in healthcare
costs over an extended period of time. The Rand
Corp. reported in 2012 that participation in a wellness
program over five years reduced annual healthcare
costs by an estimated $157 per employee, about the
same dollar amount the company typically spends on
their wellness program.5
Numerous other studies have indicated healthcare
costs can be reduced or even contained by
implementing wellness programs. The National
Business Group on Health contends that companies
that increase their support for wellness programs
can save more than $1,600 per employee per year in
healthcare costs.6
Employers looking for added motivation beyond lower
company healthcare costs will soon be able to turn
to Uncle Sam. Beginning in 2014, the Affordable Care
Act creates incentives up to 30 percent tied to an
employees total premium cost -- for employers who
encourage wellness programs and establish more
opportunities to support a healthier workplace.7
Workplace Wellness Programs Study: Final Report; RAND Corporation; 2012; http://www.rand.org/content/dam/rand/pubs/research_reports/RR200/RR254/RAND_RR254.sum.pdf; Accessed Dec. 12, 2013.
New Healthcare Survey Finds Spending on Wellness Incentives Has Doubled in the Last Four Years; Fidelity and National Business Group on Health; Feb. 27, 2013; http://www.businessgrouphealth.org/pressroom/pressRelease.
cfm?ID=207; Accessed Dec. 19, 2013.
7
Volk, J., Corlette, S.; Premium Incentives to Drive Wellness in the Workplace: A Review of the Issues and Recommendation for Policymakers; Health Policy Institute; Georgetown University; February 2012; http://www.rwjf.org/content/
dam/web-assets/2012/02/premium-incentives-to-drive-wellness-in-the-workplace; Accessed Dec. 19, 2013.
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When done correctly using company specific research and planning wellness
programs can not only lower healthcare costs, but offer employers:
Reduced absenteeism;
Higher employee productivity;
Reduced workers compensation and disability-related costs;
Reduced injuries;
Improved employee morale and loyalty.
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Morath, E., Radnofsky, L; Medical-Price Inflation Is at Slowest Pace in 50 Years; Wall Street Journal; Sept. 17, 2013; http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424127887323342404579081312680485476; Accessed Dec. 19, 2013.
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Establishing goals;
Determining the companys involvement in program;
Establishing budget and expected return on investment;
Effectively communicating program and policies;
Choosing employee incentives.
Klachefsky, M.; Connecting Health Risk, Absence and Lost Productivity; Journal of Occupational Health and Environmental Medicine; 46; 737-745; The Standard; March 27, 2012; http://www.shrm.org/multimedia/webcasts/
Documents/12klachefsky.pdf; Accessed Dec. 19, 2013.
10
The Sanofi Canada Healthcare Survey; Sanofi-Aventis Canada Inc., Rogers Publishing Ltd.; 2012; http://www.sanofi.ca/l/ca/en/layout.jsp?scat=C3588838-0978-4F25-9A92-6F37FA912C05; Accessed Dec. 19, 2013.
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GiftCard
Partners
INC.
INC.
11
2013/2014 Global Staying@Work Survey: The Path to Health and Productivity Effectiveness; Towers Watson; April 2013; http://www.towerswatson.com/en-GB/Insights/IC-Types/Surveys/2013/Staying-at-Work-survey-the-Path-toHealth-and-Productivity-Effectiveness; Accessed Dec. 19, 2013.
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Almost four in 10 U.S. companies or 36 percent will use penalties, such as higher
health insurance premiums and hefty deductibles for employees who decide against
their employers judgment and opt out of wellness activities. Most notably, Towers
Watson predicted when the smoke clears next year, 54 percent of employers will have
implemented outcome-based incentives that either reward or penalize employees
based on tobacco use. The following year, that number will jump to 71 percent.12
2013/2014 Global Staying@Work Survey: The Path to Health and Productivity Effectiveness; Towers Watson; April 2013; http://www.towerswatson.com/en-GB/Insights/IC-Types/Surveys/2013/Staying-at-Work-survey-the-Path-toHealth-and-Productivity-Effectiveness; Accessed Dec. 19, 2013.
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2013/2014 Global Staying@Work Survey: The Path to Health and Productivity Effectiveness; Towers Watson; April 2013; http://www.towerswatson.com/en-GB/Insights/IC-Types/Surveys/2013/Staying-at-Work-survey-the-Path-toHealth-and-Productivity-Effectiveness; Accessed Dec. 19, 2013.
14
Money Talks when It Comes to Losing Weight, Mayo Clinic Study Finds; Mayo Clinic; San Francisco; March 7, 2013; http://www.mayoclinic.org/news2013-rst/7357.html; Accessed Dec. 19, 2013.
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On the other hand, 61 percent of the companies in the Fidelity Investment and
National Business Group on Health study offer lower premiums for employees who
finish specific wellness tasks. The good news for employees is that these pre-tax
incentives make maximum use of the full award promised by employers. The
unfortunate outcome for employers is that when these assignments are fulfilled
generally prior to open enrollment the employee behavior modification activity
sometimes stops short.
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15
Research Shows Recipients Prefer the Control and Personalization Gift Cards Provide vs. Cash; Incentive Research Foundation and Gift Card Council; April 30, 2012; http://theirf.org/research-shows-recipients-prefer-the-control-andper
sonalization-gift-cards-provide-vs.-cash.6087533.html; Accessed Dec. 20, 2013.
16
Hellmich, M.; Small Businesses Get Creative to Cut Health Cost; USA Today; Dec. 13, 2013; http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2013/12/13/wellness-programs-small-businesses/3862759/; Accessed Dec. 19, 2013.
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Keep It Simple
About half of all U.S. employers with 50 or more employees offer workplace wellness
programs, according to a study by the Rand Corp. Larger companies, generally, tend to
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have more complex wellness programs. Simple activities can be a good means for
introducing employees to engage in healthy behavior and a mechanism to figure
out what their needs are as well. The National Business Coalition on Health reports
90 percent of eligible employees at Caterpillar Inc. complete a company health-risk
assessment and enjoy the $75 a month reduction in insurance premiums in return.
As more employers of all sizes struggle with healthcare costs, small companies are
choosing to pool their resources to cut expenditures associated with both their
insurance plans and wellness programs. But, to join these pools, employers have to
agree to take on measures that will work to make employees healthy and reduce
claim costs. To reap the benefits of lower healthcare costs, employee buy-in and
participation in wellness programs becomes imperative.
Many employees are already onboard. Those that are about 62 percent say they
see the benefits of a health-conscious lifestyle in reduced medical risks, improved
health, and more energy and motivation at the workplace, according to the Principal
Financial Well-Being Index for American Workers.16 Some of the benefits cited in the
account include:
51 percent of participants say they work harder and perform better;
59 percent say they have more energy and are more productive;
45 percent say that health-related programs encourage them to stay in their
current position;
43 percent say they miss fewer days of work as a result of wellness programs.
So, why then do 34 percent of employees disregard wellness programs and refuse to
participate? Many say they lack incentives. To earn rewards, employees are sometime
required to take action, like joining a weight-management program. Those who dont
participate sometimes face penalties. The prospect of penalties may be enough to
motivate employees to pursue wellness activities.
17
The Principal Financial Well-Being Index: 2012 Wellness Summary; Principal Financial Services, Inc.; http://www.principal.com/wellbeing/2012/wbwellness-4q2012-data.pdf; Accessed Dec. 19, 2013.
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Legal Dilemmas
Employers concerned about playing paternalistic roles and infringing on personal
health habits of their employees might be hesitant to adopt penalties. More
employers dont use a combination of penalties like garnishing pay or premium
surcharges -- and rewards for participation in wellness programs, according to a
survey by Aon Hewitt.18 Experts say the process of sidestepping penalties has three
times the motivating power of a reward. Take Johnson & Johnson, which recoups the
companys $500 wellness incentive from paychecks when employees dont heed the
advice from health assessments.19
No one likes to feel like they are getting punished. Some say penalties can dampen
employee morale. Perhaps, a softer approach is to allow only employees who
complete certain assignments like smoking cessation to enroll in the companys
most appealing health plans. StayWell Health Management claims up to 99 percent
participation among clients adopting this strategy.20
Unhealthy workers who set the tone for increased insurance premiums can put a
financial strain on frustrated employees who consistently meet company health
targets. However, monetary incentives aimed at slashing rising healthcare costs for
everyone can create a backlash.
Faculty at the University of Pennsylvania revolted this year over the schools plan to
have nonunion employees visit a doctor, complete biometric screening measures and
fill out a lengthy online health risk survey. Non-compliance resulted in a $100-a-month
payroll deduction. Following protests from professors who claimed the policy violated
their privacy, the university shelved the plan.21
Privacy, anti-discrimination and insurance laws differ from state to state and at
the federal level. Rewarding an employee especially monetarily -- for lowering
cholesterol may seem like a harsh penalty for those who dont. In some jurisdictions,
employers must offer workers who dont hit targets an alternative method to earn an
incentive, such as a doctors note. A good idea is for employers to first consult legal
advice before pursuing eligibility incentives.
18
2012 Total Rewards Survey: Transforming Potential into Value; Aon Hewitt; http://www.aon.com/human-capital-consulting/thought-leadership/talent_mgmt/2012_aonhewitt_total_rewards_survey.pdf; Accessed Dec. 19, 2013.
19
Evert, M.; Proof of Wellness ROI Is Growing; Northwest Credit Union Association; July 15, 2010; http://www.waleague.org/member-resources/anthem/proofofwellnessroigrowing; Accessed Dec. 19, 2013.
20
Singer, N.; On Campus, a Faculty Uprising over Personal Data; New York Times; Sept. 14, 2013; http://www.nytimes.com/2013/09/15/business/on-campus-a-faculty-uprising-over-personal-data.html?_r=0; Accessed Dec. 19, 2013.
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Inside Job
Cost-conscious employers determined to offer employees healthcare benefits,
maintain wage scales and keep their doors open for business should remain
committed to wellness programs. Just how much information about personal health
habits that employees are willing to share with their bosses will go a long way toward
making or breaking these initiatives. If healthcare costs continue to escalate despite
what might be the governments best intentions and employers consider shifting
expenses to employees, perhaps, the greatest incentive for the most vulnerable
employees to get fit and stay in shape may come from themselves. Satisfying the
bottom line for both employee and employer then becomes an inside job.
17
The Principal Financial Well-Being Index: 2012 Wellness Summary; Principal Financial Services, Inc.; http://www.principal.com/wellbeing/2012/wbwellness-4q2012-data.pdf; Accessed Dec. 19, 2013.
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CHWA Resources:
CorporateWellnessConference.com
CorporateWellnessMagazine.com
WellnessAssociation.com
Contact GCP:
Info@GiftcardPartners.com
USA 800-413-9101
Contact CHWA:
Info@WellnessAssaciation.com
USA 561-204-3676
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