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Healthy workers benefit employers
Healthy employees are
more productive, show higher morale, take fewer sick days and submit fewer
health care claims.
By DAWN SAGARIO
REGISTER STAFF WRITER
Grinnell, Ia. - Carla DeGeorge and Mary Anderson are a team.
The co-workers like to shop with each other; they finish one another's
sentences; and about two years ago, they started exercising together.
They exercise through a wellness program offered by their employer Grinnell
Regional Medical Center.
DeGeorge, 39, was motivated initially by the $300 insurance benefit she would
receive if she successfully completed the program; she figured that could
help pay for eyeglasses for her two kids.
In that first year of the program, DeGeorge and Anderson, 47, said they felt
better, were less stressed, tried new exercise classes, and lost weight.
DeGeorge was able to get off her diabetes medication for about six months.
They haven't exercised as regularly as they would have liked this year, and
are "suffering for it," DeGeorge said. They are determined to devote more
time to the program to improve their health.
"People who don't take advantage of it are really missing out," DeGeorge
said.
Grinnell Medical Center was one of eight Iowa companies recognized last week
by the Wellness Council of Iowa for worksite wellness programs.
A growing number of companies are recognizing that when employees are
healthier, it sets off a chain reaction that includes increased productivity,
decreased health care costs and absenteeism, and improved worker morale,
happiness and loyalty, said Jenny Weber, interim executive director of the
council.
Those include insurance incentives and health-risk assessments to walking
programs and wellness fairs.
More companies are looking at such efforts to slow health care and health
insurance costs.
Americans are becoming heavier and more sedentary, two factors which are
increasing the rates of chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and
cancer.
"I think what's unique about all of these companies is that they've taken the
initiative to realize what it takes to make a difference in their corporate
culture," Weber said. "The employer needs to provide information,
encouragement and support; those are the three things that we can't emphasize
enough."
Officials at Grinnell Regional Medical Center said their goal is to encourage
healthy behaviors among workers and their families, and help them become
accountable for their health.
"We're here to remove the barriers and maybe an excuse or two," said Sheryl
Rutledge, who oversees the "I Choose Health" program.
The hospital's cost for employee health and life insurance cost totaled
$350,000 in 2006, down 15 percent from the previous year, said Rutledge.
They've saved $3 for every dollar spent on the program.
She said health costs are also expected to drop another 3 percent this year.
Establishing a wellness program helped reduce health care costs, Rutledge
said. "When we didn't have a wellness program, the health care claim costs
went up every year. Now that we have one, they (costs) are going down."
Full- and part-time employees can receive up to $400 annually to be used the
following year. They can choose to put the money into their flexible spending
plan or toward their insurance premium.
The program includes pre- and post-fitness tests and consultations, an online
lifestyle assessment, various blood tests and a physician physical.
Employees complete the program by finishing required tests and paperwork and
passing a fitness test. They're also eligible to receive a 50 percent
discount on "integrated health services" not covered by insurance, including
massage, chiropractic care, acupuncture, weight loss assistance, fitness
center reimbursement, and smoking cessation programs and aids.
The medical center will pay up to $1,500 in a calendar year toward these
services. Spouses who meet the requirements are also eligible for this
benefit.
Workers may use the medical center's on-site fitness center, its Postels
Community Health Park (where the integrated health services are located) and
its Fly High Fitness studio, which offers classes including yoga, Pilates and
spinning. These facilities are also open to the public.
Addressing stress and ways to reduce it is the company's next big initiative,
Rutledge said.
In Spirit Lake, Pure Fishing, a worldwide fishing-tackle business, has worked
the past four years to better the health of its 600 workers and their
families, as well as retirees of the company, said Cyndy Powers, health and
wellness coordinator for Pure Fishing.
Pure Fishing has been recognized by the Wellness Council of Iowa in three of
those years, Powers said.
The company's health initiatives in the past four years have included annual
health-risk assessments of workers and walking programs, Powers said.
The initiatives have helped decrease health expenses and kept insurance
premiums "more manageable than other companies, locally or even nationally,"
said Shelly Krause, human resources director at Pure Fishing.
In 2006, there was only a 6 percent increase in health care costs, Powers
said, compared to an annual average increase of 12 to 15 percent before the
wellness initiatives.
The company offers a health-risk assessment, which includes tests for
cholesterol and body fat measurement and a consultation with a "health
coach." The assessment is voluntary, Powers said, but workers who don't
participate will see a 5 percent increase in their health insurance premium.
The company does not receive an individual's test results, but an aggregate
report suggests common risk factors, said Powers.
Lack of physical exercise is a problem for many employees so the company has
promoted walking programs and held family wellness events.
Workers were given pedometers, with the company picking up part of the cost,
and were challenged to walk 10,000 steps a day. They made it a fun
competition, with winners receiving prizes.
Pure Fishing is also holding a "Big Red Walk," a six-week walking training
program that culminates Oct. 4 in a four-mile walk from Spirit Lake to Marble
Lake Ranch, Powers said. "At the end, we're going to have a big party."
Reporter Dawn Sagario can be reached at (515) 284-8351 or dsagario@dmreg.com |
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