Commentary: Some days it seems that the more things change, the more they remain the same. Take, for example, healthcare. Regulatory changes have extended medical insurance coverage to millions more Americans, making care affordable for many and promising to lower costs for all of us. At the same time, technological advances have made healthcare more coordinated and accessible, closing care gaps to those previously isolated due to geography or mobility challenges. And despite increased healthcare spending, which comprises around 18% of the GDP, outpacing any other nation per capita, we’re not getting better. As a result, healthcare costs continue to escalate for employers and employees.
Most employers have taken steps to promote better health in the workplace. Today, about 70% of employers currently offer wellness programs, but engaging employees remains a challenge. Less than half of employees participate in screenings or complete a health risk assessment used to identify employees for interventions. Consequently, a 2015 industry survey found that 79% of employers identified “motivating participants to make behavioral changes” as among the most significant challenges facing their organization’s healthcare strategy.
