Employers Taking Proactive Approach to Rising Healthcare Costs
By: Mick, December 7th, 2006
A recent Wall Street Journal article expanded on some of the points that we touched upon in our Insourced article from last week. Many large employers around the country are implementing wellness and pre-emptive healthcare programs for employees, in the hopes that the initial costs of such programs will result in long-term savings in health insurance and healthcare provision costs. Early indications are that the programs are a success. The programs focus on early detection of illnesses and providing employees with incentives and the means to improve and maintain their overall health. The Wall Street Journal offered an overview of the programs:
Employers and employees are starting to see some positive cost and medical results from corporate wellness programs:
• Such programs typically offer health screenings free or at little cost.
• Some employers require workers to undergo a health-risk assessment to qualify for medical coverage.
• At-risk employees may be contacted by a nurse suggesting follow-up action.
• Workers can get perks like subsidized weight-loss and quit-smoking programs.
At this stage, these programs seem to be offering a win-win scenario for both employers and employees. Employers are gaining more control of their healthcare costs and employees are getting the benefits of free health screenings and financial support and services for improving their overall health.
Tags: corporate wellness, health insurance, healthcare, healthcare provision costs, wall street journal
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