Company Wellness Programs Are Not Providing the Desired Benefits
In an attempt to
improve the overall health of their employees, some
companies offered employees wellness programs.
Among these programs’ most important components are
assistance with diet and exercise. With these
programs, companies endeavored to keep employees
healthy, and lower health care costs. But often the companies' efforts did not lead to success.
Experts had believed that putting wellness programs in place would enable organizations to be more profitable by improving employee health. In fact, according to the U.S. Preventive Medicine organization, an effective wellness program could "yield a $3 to $6 return on investment for each dollar invested."
Further, according to Right Management, a subsidiary of Manpower Inc., an organization’s wellness program could improve the organization’s competitive edge by increasing employee productivity and performance.
Some insurance providers have also indicated that they have a positive view of wellness programs. Believing that the programs would be beneficial, CIGNA purchased Kronos Optiman Health Company, a health and wellness company, based in Phoenix. This acquisition enabled CIGNA to expand its wellness program offerings, including its online services.
Despite these past actions, organizations are not currently seeing the predicted positive results from wellness programs. So some companies are taking more drastic measures to try to improve program results.
Indeed, "companies are taking advantage of rules under President Barack Obama's health care overhaul ... to punish smokers and overweight workers. Some will even force employees to meet weight goals, quit smoking and provide very personal information or pay up to thousands more annually for health care."
Although drastic, these measures may motivate more employees to participate in their company's wellness program and adhere to the program's guidelines. We believe that wellness programs can be beneficial. Further, obesity medicine specialists may be able to play a key role here. Obesity medicine specialists, and other healthcare experts, may be able to work with employers and wellness program organizers to help find ways to improve the results of company wellness programs.
Experts had believed that putting wellness programs in place would enable organizations to be more profitable by improving employee health. In fact, according to the U.S. Preventive Medicine organization, an effective wellness program could "yield a $3 to $6 return on investment for each dollar invested."
Further, according to Right Management, a subsidiary of Manpower Inc., an organization’s wellness program could improve the organization’s competitive edge by increasing employee productivity and performance.
Some insurance providers have also indicated that they have a positive view of wellness programs. Believing that the programs would be beneficial, CIGNA purchased Kronos Optiman Health Company, a health and wellness company, based in Phoenix. This acquisition enabled CIGNA to expand its wellness program offerings, including its online services.
Despite these past actions, organizations are not currently seeing the predicted positive results from wellness programs. So some companies are taking more drastic measures to try to improve program results.
Indeed, "companies are taking advantage of rules under President Barack Obama's health care overhaul ... to punish smokers and overweight workers. Some will even force employees to meet weight goals, quit smoking and provide very personal information or pay up to thousands more annually for health care."
Although drastic, these measures may motivate more employees to participate in their company's wellness program and adhere to the program's guidelines. We believe that wellness programs can be beneficial. Further, obesity medicine specialists may be able to play a key role here. Obesity medicine specialists, and other healthcare experts, may be able to work with employers and wellness program organizers to help find ways to improve the results of company wellness programs.
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posted by Information Uncover at
11:13 AM
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