Midsize businesses may benefit most from employee wellness programs

Tuesday, 09 August 2011 16:00

News - Health Care Costs

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Midsize employers may be better able to take advantage of employee wellness initiatives, Crain's Cleveland Business recently wrote. The smaller number of total employees can make the participation of each individual in a program count for more in terms of the effect on the organization.

Byron Stout, VP of human resources at Meritrust Credit Union told the source that the company chose to become self-insured after its insurance provider did not reduce premiums, despite a successful employee wellness program.

After 11 months of self-insurance, the company found health care costs nearly a quarter below the budget. Stout explained the wellness program to the source, noting that there are three tiers which increasingly reward healthy behaviors, such as exercise and healthy eating, as well as debt reduction and financial responsibility.

"We know that when our employees are happy, it reflects on their work and extends to our customers," Stout told the source.

Employees who participate receive financial incentives, which may include skipping a health plan premium payment.

According to the National Institutes of Health, exercise, eating nutritionally and a healthy social life can reduce stress from work pressure or other sources. Emotional stress can lead to physical discomfort or pain. Reducing and managing stress may help employees stay happy and focused on the job.