By Russell D. Chapman The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently announced the availability of $10 million to advance workplace wellness programs for employers. Initiated by the Affordable Care Act (ACA), the funds will be awarded through a competitive contract to an organization with expertise in working with both small and large… Continue Reading
Tag Archives: wellness initiatives
Obesity’s Impact on Workforce Productivity & Healthcare Costs
By Kristina Escamilla Concern over obesity in America has grown to such an extent that the campaign to combat it now rivals the anti-smoking war that has been waged for the last decade. In much the same way that epidemiological studies linking smoking to health concerns spurred the campaign against smoking, new studies on the cost… Continue Reading
Painkiller Abuse: A Prescription for Employers
Substance abuse is a problem that plagues all workplaces. The abuse of controlled substance painkillers and other prescription medications has spread so widely that such drugs are now considered the second most commonly abused drug after marijuana. Healthcare organizations are particularly vulnerable to workers who abuse controlled substances, as employees may have access to drugs that… Continue Reading
Legislating Wellness: Proposed Bills to Support Workplace Wellness Programs
As many legislative sessions kick off around the country, interest remains high among lawmakers to encourage businesses to institute wellness programs as a means of tackling increasing health care costs and improving the health of Americans. According to the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), bills supporting wellness initiatives have been increasingly popular in the… Continue Reading
New Class Action Wave Against Wellness Programs?
This week, the U.S. District Court of the Southern District of Florida certified a plaintiff class in a case involving an employer’s wellness program. In Bradley Seff v. Broward County, the County of Broward, Florida (“Broward”) was sued by an employee seeking declaratory, injunctive and equitable relief, compensatory damages, costs and attorney’s fees, claiming that… Continue Reading
Employer Bans on Smokers: The Next Smokeout?
While the upcoming Great American Smokeout encourages smokers to use November 18th as a day to quit smoking or make a plan to quit, employers can use the occasion as an opportunity to review whether they want to implement tobacco-free policies and the potential legal issues involved in doing so. In recent years, many employers… Continue Reading
Medical Costs of Obesity Severely Underestimated
Previous studies seriously underestimated the medical costs of obesity in the United States. According to new research published by the National Bureau of Economic Research, approximately $168 billion or nearly 17% of the U.S. medical costs stem from obesity. This is double the amount of previous estimates and stands in stark contrast to an influential… Continue Reading
EBSA Clarifies GINA Provisions for Insurance Providers and Group Health Plans
The Department of Labor’s Employee Benefits Security Administration (EBSA) has issued guidance in the form of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) that explains how the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) impacts employer-provided group health plans and insurance providers. Among other things, Title I of GINA prohibits group health plans and health insurance issuers from discriminating based… Continue Reading
Survey Examines Role of Workplace in Maintaining Healthy Lifestyle
Heart disease and stroke are the world’s leading cause of death, claiming 17.1 million lives each year, according to the World Heart Federation. Because many people spend over half their waking hours at work, it is a logical setting for encouraging behaviors that may reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease. Yet, a recently released global… Continue Reading
Survey Suggests PPACA’s Wellness Provisions Will Provide Boost to Wellness Programs
In our review of health care reform’s impact on wellness programs last month, we forecasted that the Patient Protection and Affordable Health Care Act (PPACA) would boost the adoption of workplace wellness programs and help lay the foundation for creating a culture of health and prevention in the workplace. A recent survey, conducted by the… Continue Reading
Wellness as a Strategic Priority – An Interview with Alistair Dornan from Right Management, Part II
We started this conversation with redefining wellness. You have said that the true “potential of wellness initiatives can only be realized when wellness is embedded within the organization’s core business strategy (.pdf).” Q: What do you mean by embedding wellness within a core business strategy?A: Any organisation should begin the conversation thinking of wellness in the… Continue Reading
Health Care Reform Provides Support for Wellness Programs
Many employers already recognize the value of comprehensive wellness programs in reducing health care costs and improving the health and productivity of their workforce. The White House has publicly backed the expanded use of wellness programs through passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Health Care Act (PPACA), which President Obama signed into law on… Continue Reading
Redefining Wellness – An interview with Alistair Dornan, Head of Wellness and Productivity Management with Right Management, Part I
As discussed in the entry Study Reveals Declining Employer Satisfaction with Health Insurers and Demand for Wellness Solutions, one report indicated that while “wellness and disease management programs are popular among employers, companies that offer them are frustrated with the low level of employee participation. Many employers are finding that simple financial incentives such as cash, gift… Continue Reading
Comprehensive Analysis Demonstrates that Workplace Wellness Programs Save Money and Reduce Absenteeism
Whether they have implemented a wellness program or are considering doing so, employers consistently ask the same questions: Do wellness programs really reduce benefit costs? If so, by how much? Do such programs reduce absenteeism? How can we measure the benefits versus the costs of such programs? Companies have endeavored to gauge the economic benefits… Continue Reading
GINA’s Potential Impact on Employee Wellness Programs
As businesses seek proactive solutions to control rising healthcare costs and improve the health and productivity of their workers, wellness programs have become a valuable tool for employers and employees alike. However, a new federal law creates potential restrictions on employers wishing to promote these programs. Intended to encourage individuals to take advantage of advances… Continue Reading