Wellness

A people-centric approach isn’t just good for employees – it’s good for business, says Maxwell Health’s Veer Gidwaney.

Few programs can provide hard data or credible testimonials showing that they solidly improve health outcomes for employees or cost for benefit plan sponsors.

Conditions such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes and high cholesterol cost employers millions of dollars each year in terms of insurance claims, absenteeism, and reduced productivity.

It’s important to realize that technology is only a piece of this employee engagement method.

The chief drivers of cost in any healthcare plan are the sickest patients in the pool, prompting clients to consider options that specifically address chronic care management.

The telecommunications firm partners with WebMD for a weight loss program that helped nearly two-thirds of its employees shed unwanted pounds.

Why advisers and employers should create plans that address several factors that impact employee health, says Veer Gidwaney.

To achieve the benefits of well-being initiatives, including health improvement, talent acquisition, employee performance and retention, company culture must fully support them.

Workers with access to employer-sponsored plans are much more likely to feel good about their financial prospects, finds new research from EBRI, but their nest eggs still could use some work.

The Northeast Business Group on Health says digital tools can make a difference in controlling chronic conditions among employees.