Employee Health Promotion Programs in a Down Economy
Posted by Health Promotion | Posted in Employee Health Promotion | Posted on 20-10-2008
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Employee Health Promotion Programs and Health Care Costs
Employee Health Promotion Programs are more important now than ever. According to an article in the Wall Street Journal, with the troubles in the economy it seems that the costs of business offered health care keep continuing to grow and it doesn’t seem like it is going to change. The article states that during the year 2008, U.S. businesses can expect to see an increase of 10% in health care costs.
This increase in health care costs is causing some small businesses to reduce their employee health benefits or get rid of them altogether.
Employee Health Promotion Programs for Healthier Lifestyles
Employee Health Promotion Programs do offer an option for small businesses. The corporations can offer discounted co-pays and deductibles to those employees that fully participate in the provided Employee Health Promotion Program. Full participation means getting health screens, receiving a health risk assessment, and then working with their wellness coordinator to work towards a healthier lifestyle.
The healthier the employees, the reduce the overall health care costs for the corporation. Just one lengthy hospital stay can almost deplete a small business’ health care budget.
Employee Health Promotion Programs and Your Bottom Line
Employee Health Promotion Programs offer many advantages to a company’s bottom-line. Employee Health Promotion Program Statistics from Prudential Insurance show a benefit expense of $312 per individual enrolled in a Employee Health Promotion Program compared to an expense of $574 per employee that wasn’t enrolled. Coors Brewing Company showed a positive side-effect of participant absenteeism dropping by 18%, thus greater production and less health care costs overall.