All Well and Good: Fashioning an Effective Wellness Program
A wellness program assists employees and family members in making voluntary behavior changes that reduce their health risks and enhance their individual productivity. Studies have shown that employees are more likely to perform well when they are in optimal health. The following are benefits of implementing a wellness program:
- Lower health care costs, due to a healthier workforce and improved disease management
- Enhanced recruiting by attracting the most talented workers
- Reduced absenteeism
- Improved on-the-job time utilization, decision making and productivity
- Improved employee morale
- Reduction in turnover
Because wellness programs must comply with state and federal law, legal review should precede a program’s introduction to employees.The Wellness Council of America identifies these best practices for a successful workplace wellness program:
- Create committed and aligned leadership. A commitment from the top is key to the success of any wellness initiative, including commitment of adequate funding.
- Foster collaboration in support of wellness. Wellness teams should include a variety of people from all levels of your company.
- Collect meaningful data that will drive your health initiatives and wellness strategy. This may involve conducting a survey of employee interest in various health initiatives, health risk assessments, and claims analysis.
- Craft an operating plan. An annual operating plan is important for your program’s success and should include a mission statement along with specific, measurable short- and long-term goals and objectives.
- Choose appropriate health initiatives that support the whole employee. The health initiatives that you choose should flow naturally from your data, and support your goals and objectives.
- Create a supportive environment, policies and practices. A supportive environment provides employees with encouragement, opportunity and rewards.
- Conduct evaluations, communicate, celebrate and iterate. This allows you to celebrate goals achieved and to discontinue or change ineffective initiatives.
The Benefits team at The Reschini Group can help you fashion a Wellness Program for your particular situation. Contact us to learn more.
Copyright 2019 The Reschini GroupThe Reschini Group provides these updates for information only, and does not provide legal advice. To make decisions regarding insurance matters, please consult directly with a licensed insurance professional or firm.
Peace of Mind: Offering Critical Illness Benefits to Employees
Normal medical and disability insurance plans do not always cover the potentially significant expenses related to critical injury or illness, with costs accumulating especially during the recovery process. That’s why offering critical illness insurance can play an important role in strengthening the financial safety net for employees.
With a growing share of the population having limited savings, employees may have a large financial exposure in the event of a critical illness. Beyond traditional medical costs, financial challenges may also result from:
- Traveling expenses related to treatment
- Lost wages from taking time to care for a critically ill relative
- Out-of-network treatment charges
- Alternative treatment charges
Critical illness insurance coverage provides a lump sum benefit for the six leading illnesses and health events:
- Cancer
- Heart attack
- Stroke
- Major organ transplant
- Kidney failure
- Coronary artery bypass graft
Offering critical illness coverage complements high deductible health plans (HDHPs) by eliminating the worry of having to pay for a high deductible in the middle of suffering a major illness. It also serves as an affordable way to fill a gap in coverage.Employees can reduce their financial risks in the event that serious illness occurs, while also offering the benefit as a recruiting tool or as a way to compensate for changes in core medical plans. Employers can offer a wellness benefit option under a critical illness plan that reimburses an employee each year for having certain tests and routine exams done, as well.Most important, offering this coverage can help blunt the devastating impact critical illness can have on employees, both in terms of health and finances. Contact the Benefits team at The Reschini Group for more information on critical illness insurance.
Copyright 2017 The Reschini GroupThe Reschini Group provides these updates for information only, and does not provide legal advice. To make decisions regarding insurance matters, please consult directly with a licensed insurance professional or firm.