Health Insurance Costs Rising? Get Active, Start a Wellness Program

The cost of health care and health insurance continues to rise at rates higher than the rate of inflation. Currently, $1 of every $6 spent in the U.S. is for health care. Within the next 10 years, it's projected to be $1 of every $5.1

The primary reason for the continued rise is twofold:

1. People's willingness to pay for health care is virtually limitless, so health care providers continue to roll out more and more expensive tests, treatments and procedures.

2. Insurance companies foot most of the bills, but patients and doctors determine the treatments, so there is little incentive to keep costs down. The only recourse for insurance companies is to raise rates.

These things you don't control. But you DO have some control over the cost of YOUR health insurance, and of the insurance you provide your employees. It's pretty simple.

Healthy people are cheaper to insure. Similarly, unhealthy people are more costly to insure.

Now, who doesn't want to be healthy? Who would not like to be in an environment that makes it easier to be healthy? So do what makes sense for both you and them. Care about yourself, your business and your employees. Develop a wellness program. It's a win-win.

Research shows that health and wellness programs reduce medical costs and lower absenteeism. Yes, you'll spend a little money on the program, but studies show that for every dollar spent, you'll get between $3.50 and $6 in return. That's a heck of a return on investment.

It Starts with You
It starts at the top. You must design the program (or have it designed), participate in it and lead it. For it to work, you need to get excited about it. Sell it, enlist participants, track progress and keep the fire burning.

As The Wellness Councils of America say, "Nothing spurs attendance at an aerobics class like the chance to see the boss lead the exercises."

How to Get Started
Creating a wellness program is not as difficult as you might imagine. The Wellness Councils of America recommend the following steps:

• Appoint a wellness team to oversee the effort. At a small business, this might be a single individual, even the boss, but involving employees is the best bet. Let it be their project. Let them get creative and be accountable for results.

• Collect data. You can't change what you can't measure. Data collection can run the gamut, from having employees participate in health screenings to weighing the entire workforce on a grain elevator scale to establish a weight-loss benchmark.

• Create a simple plan with simple goals. If excess weight is the primary concern, your employees might set a goal of losing 500 pounds in 12 weeks. Or if resting heart rate is the target, plan to reduce the workforce total by 50 points.

• Choose the appropriate intervention. This could be anything from providing information on healthy eating to arranging for exercise time at work.

• Create a supportive environment. Replace unhealthy drinks and snacks with healthy ones. When you go out to lunch together, make it a healthy place. And it's important that you make it clear to workers you approve of and support their participation.

• Carefully evaluate outcomes. If the desired result isn't being achieved, it may be necessary to make the environment even more supportive. More fun. Get a key leader involved. Post the results. Peer pressure is okay and a powerful motivator. Use it by posting individual results.

Make It Fun!
Make it easy for employees to behave in healthy ways. Encourage them to walk during the day at lunchtime and breaks. Buy inexpensive pedometers and challenge employees to walk 10,000 steps a day - equivalent to five miles. Of course, this means that you must lead the pack and set the right example. At the end of each month, reward the top male and female workers. Maybe a $25 gas card or the right to leave work one hour early.

Offer classes in aerobics or other activities that promote health and reduce stress. Maybe join an athletic league for softball, basketball or volleyball. These are sports that allow anyone to participate.

Secure membership discounts from local fitness centers for employees who decide to join. In addition, bring in certified fitness trainers for a blood pressure fair. It involves just a simple setup in your conference or break room. Most workers are unaware of their own blood pressure and how it increases with weight gain and stress. At least once a year, sponsor a health screening for employees.

Big Cost Reductions
In 2002, a U.S. government report revealed that companies with physical activity programs enjoyed a 20 percent to 55 percent reduction in health care costs, a 6 percent to 22 percent decline in short-term sick leave and a 2 percent to 52 percent increase in worker productivity.

Yes, the costs of health care and health insurance will almost certainly continue to rise, but you do have some control over the costs you bear for yourself, your family and your employees. So instead of lamenting, try implementing. Take some action. Start a wellness program for your company. You'll find that it's fun, builds camaraderie, reduces turnover and sick leave, adds to your bottom line and actually improves lives. What more could you want?

1 According to the U.S. government's National Health Statistics Group, as reported by CBS Radio News.