Health and Wellness Strategies

The Problem

Healthcare costs keep rising precipitously — both for personal and work-related conditions. This includes the costs of insurance premiums, out-of-pocket expenditures, lost work time, presenteeism, and decreased productivity. A closer look at the numbers demonstrates why attention needs to be paid to this trend.

Nearly 15 million working-age individuals now collect Social Security Disability benefits. Between 1992 and 2000 diabetes mellitus cost $4.4 billion in lost income due to early retirement; $0.5 billion related to increased sick days; $37.1 billion due to disability; $22 billion due to premature mortality; totaling $58.6 in lost productivity.

The health insurance expenditures of obese workers are 38% higher than those of other workers. They are also absent substantially more than other workers. In 2000, depression cost $83.1 billion. Of this total 62% was due to lost productivity and absenteeism. The occurrence of sickness absence in 2004 was 52 cases/10,000 days at risk in women and 46 cases/10, 000 days at risk in men. The number of lost work-days due to occupational illnesses and injuries also continues to escalate.

The top five chronic conditions causing work limitations are: heart disease, orthopedic impairment of the back or neck, intervertebral disc disorders, osteoarthritis and allied disorders, and orthopedic impairment of the lower extremities.

The Solution

The effects of these conditions can be mitigated with prevention, early identification, and lifestyle activity modification. Employers find that offering health and wellness programs to their employees that accomplish these outcomes helps reduce illnesses, absences, as well as workplace injuries and their associated costs.

Best Med can educate your managers and employees about meaningful lifestyle choices, proper health and safety measures at home and at work, and implement proven methods to improve their overall health. By promoting a healthy working environment and overall employee health and well-being, personal and on-the-job injuries and illnesses are more likely to be avoided, which typically reduces workers' compensation claims and other health-related expenses.

Remember, companies that value employee health develop strong relationships with their employees by acknowledging that they are the company's single most important investment.

Best Med's proactive approach to wellness is best illustrated by our Integrated Health and Productivity Program. This program considers the big picture, integrating and addressing the spectrum of factors that influence an individual's and organization's health and productivity such as: personal health history, risk factors and medical needs, work demands and environment, family issues, public health emergencies, along with eligibility for and costs of various types of disability and insurance benefits. At Best Med, we know this holistic approach to wellness is the most effective way to improve employee health, fitness, and workplace productivity.

Best Med health and wellness programs, all of which can be designed to suit your needs, include:

Employee Assistance Programs (EAP), programs designed to help identify and resolve issues facing troubled employees through short-term counseling, referrals to specialized professionals or organizations, and follow-up services.

Contact us to learn more about our full-range of health and wellness programs.
Best Med ... the best medicine for your business.

 

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