Health And Wellness Programs

It is clear to virtually every American (particularly those of us in business) that health care costs are skyrocketing out of control.

No one doubts that either the market will solve the problem OR the government will impose one on us. Managed care has failed from either a cost containment or quality of care perspective.

Organizations have reached the point where the cost of providing medical insurance is almost as burdensome as government regulation. It’s time for some new thinking on health care and its impact on business and vice versa.

Company wellness as an operational perspective in lieu of merely window dressing is one way to deal effectively with rising health care costs.

The Insurance Problem

The first step in correcting the problem is to realize that an worker’s health is their own responsibility. Expecting corporations to provide unlimited health insurance coverage is simply unrealistic and unreasonable.

It’s time for companys (on a wide scale) to reconsider their role in providing medical insurance coverage. Instead of providing complete coverage for all workforce through group plans, corporations should begin to shift the burden of health coverage to those covered.

Here’s the approach. Give catastrophic health insurance as a group benefit to all staff with a large enough deductible (say $5000 per employee) to make the cost cheap for the business.

Then, allow staff members to buy their own medical insurance policies (based on their own needs) and pay for them through payroll deduction with pre-tax earnings.

There are numerous insurance businesses that sell individual plans on this basis. Everyone wins. Employees can tailor their coverage to their own needs and circumstances using their own physicians. Companies win by stopping the endless cycle of rising costs and ever-changing plans.

And when individuals become responsible for the cost of their own insurance, they become more attentive to their own health.

Besides, if an staff member is interested in working for you ONLY because your corporation offers excellent insurance benefits aren’t they telling you they’re going to cost you more money in the future?

Create a “Wellness Culture”

Our current “sickness culture” perpetuates the health care crisis and hastens the demise of market-based solutions. By sickness culture, I mean our focus on health problems in lieu of on having a healthful workplace and performance culture.

Now, what’d a “wellness culture” look like? First, in lieu of compensated sick days, workers could  be rewarded at year’s end with an attendance bonus.

Employees would be reimbursed for successful completion of tobacco use cessation and weight-loss programs. Companies would invest in corporate memberships at local health and fitness centers so every staff member can participate.

Employees would be offered in-house health promotion programs on a variety of issues ranging from ergonomics to stress management. Finally, organizations would commit to hiring and retaining healthful staff members.

Simply put, healthful staff members cost less and are more productive than unhealthful ones. Applicants ought to be screened for health habits and practices that limit their productivity and increase the likelihood of future expense.

While this may seem harsh, it rewards those staff members whose personal lifestyle and habits ensure the best Return on Investment by the company committing to hire, train and pay them.

Be open to “alternative and complementary” approaches

Studies published in major medical journals reveal that person who use “alternative and complementary” health modalities (including chiropractic, acupuncture, yoga and massage) are normally healthier, better educated, take fewer medications and miss fewer days from work than the typical American.

Since these individuals look for ways to stay healthful without drugs and surgery, they end up being a net benefit respecting attendance and productivity. Old prejudices in this area ought to be discarded in order for companies to improve productivity and increase profitability

Conclusion

Health Care costs are increasing at a staggering pace. Managed care is an dreadful failure. Businesses are buckling underneath the pressure of providing health coverage to their employees.

American competitiveness in the market is sagging. These times call for amazing solutions. It’s time for American businesses to consider some out-of-the-box solutions to the health care crisis.

Company health promotion is an approach that is timely, achievable and reasonable given the alternatives. All choices ought to be considered while we still have a chance.