Over the summer, PSD’s Policy, Health Systems and Analytics
Branch examined how states are using state health insurance plans to
implement worksite wellness plans that improve employee health and reduce
health care costs. Research shows that
for every $1 invested in comprehensive worksite wellness programs, employers
save $3.27 in health care costs and $2.73 in lost productivity. This 50- state report, State Government Strategies to Improve Worksite Wellness, is part
of PSD’s comprehensive worksite wellness initiative and ongoing partnership
with the Colorado Department of Personnel and Administration on worksite
wellness.
This report
describes state government initiatives to provide incentives to improve employee health. Among the most
common strategies:
- Adjusting health insurance premiums based on the adoption of wellness-related behaviors
- Offering monetary rewards for healthy behaviors
- Offering a discount on copayments, deductibles, and drug fees to reward healthy behaviors
- Offering leave hours to employees to reward healthy behaviors
- Giving wellness-related items to employees as rewards for healthy behaviors
- Providing incentives and support for weight-loss efforts
- Establishing discounted or free fitness facility memberships for employees
I applaud the idea of the State of Colorado creating a model for effective worksite wellness programs for it's own employees. Showing good stewardship of taxpayer money by preventing chronic disease and it high costs can be a great example for the rest of us. There seems to be a gap between what CDPHE is promoting and what is actually being done with/for the states workforce to demonstrate leadership for other Colorado employers.
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