E088 Helping Employee Stay Healthy

First 100 Words
As employer health insurance premiums continue to outpace inflation, companies have an increased financial interest in helping their employees stay healthy. According to the National Coalition on Health Care, employer health insurance premiums increased by 7.7% in 2006 alone. The numbers are more than a little unsettling.

That’s the bad news. The good news is that a smartly managed health assistance program can substantially lower your premiums. An evaluation of the financial impact of health promotion programs conducted by the American Journal of Health Promotion showed health care cost savings of $3.50 and reduced absenteeism for every dollar that companies spent on employee health assistance — an eye-popping 350% return on investment . . .

When To Use
What employers can do; free resources; stopping smoking; support groups; group discounts; health fairs; EAPs and mental health counseling; establishing incentives to motivate employee lifestyle changes.

How to Use
Management consultation; marketing presentations by EAP vendors.