Wellness programs

Moving beyond biggest loser-type competions and step challenges, employer-based programs are entering a new phase that make use of targeted incentives to create specific outcomes.

The international environmental consulting team offers employees access to mental health therapy 24/7 through its online Learn to Live system.

Targeted incentives and automated employee follow-up can improve outcomes.

Tiered incentives may encourage more workers to get active, but for employers they represent an increase in administrative overhead, says David Contorno, CEO of Lake Norman Benefits.

How the concept of paying employees to encourage certain behaviors is making its way into other areas of benefits that advisers need to know about.

While plan sponsors and others debate whether wellness programs actually save healthcare costs, a more pressing concern for employers is the real price of poor workplace health.

Making sure the employer has an account manager dedicated to the effort is a key to success, says David Roddenberry.

Employers are familiar with wellness incentives, but the concept of paying employees to encourage certain behaviors is making its way into other areas of benefits.

An increased focus on health, combined with unprecedented access to information, has this group of workers more interested in workplace wellness and more likely to stay at their jobs because of it.

The international environmental consulting firm offers employees access to mental health therapy 24/7 through Learn to Live, an online system built to address psychological issues such as social anxiety, depression, stress and worry.