The cost of health insurance continues to increase. As of January 1, 2009, the healthy group discounts on your policy have been discontinued. Your organization may see a large premium increase this year. Employers continue to look for ways to reduce the cost of insurance without jeopardizing their ability to attract and retain employees.

Some organizations are considering instituting wellness programs. These programs have the potential to decrease medical claims costs but also may reduce absenteeism and improve employee productivity. They are designed to improve employee health before a problem occurs.

A comprehensive wellness program should include:

1. Information – awareness of health issues
2. Personal Change – supporting health management
3. Organizational Support – promoting healthy work climates
4. Health Programs – early detection and intervention

Once health risks have been identified within the employee population, wellness programs can be developed to meet those needs. Costly health problems such as cancer, chronic pulmonary disease, cardiovascular diseases and others are related to behaviors and life choices. Changes in behavior have a significant effect in reducing the incidence of these diseases.

The benefit of wellness programs can be enhanced by the enthusiastic support of management, the existence of a menu of program options and clear incentives for healthy lifestyle changes. Successful programs have included:

1. Assessment Activities that are used to determine employee health.
2. Health Screenings for early detection and treatment.
3. Communication materials distributed on an ongoing and consistent basis to provide accurate wellness updates.
4. Self-help materials are readily available.
5. Self-care programs that teach employees to become wiser consumers of their health care benefits.
6. Incentives to reward people for healthy behavior.
7. Involvement of the employee’s family.
8. Identification of hazardous working conditions.
9. On-going evaluation.

Wellness programs could include weight loss centers, smoking cessation programs, stress management, exercise, diet, and fitness advice. Simple things like flextime so employees can exercise at lunch time and secure bike parking to encourage that mode of transportation may help.

Small changes in life style can influence overall health and well being. Through education, training and professional health care, you develop happy and healthy employees and improve performance.

For more information about wellness programs, sign up for a seminar titled “Building a Culture of Health with Low to No-cost Resources. It will be held in January. Information and registration is available on the Colorado Nonprofit Association web site, www.coloradononprofits.org.