Why is it important for employers and employees to know their numbers?
Employees should know these numbers because they will impact their health, quality of life, longevity and health care costs. People with five risk factors cost double what people with only two risk factors do to a health plan.
Employers won’t see individual statistics; rather, they receive an aggregate report from the health risk appraisals and biometric screenings. They may receive information on what percentage of their employees are obese compared to the national or plan average, or what percentage smoke or exercise three or more days a week.
Employers can then use these numbers to implement the appropriate activities and initiatives to help employees get better and decrease health care costs.
How can you use an aggregate employee health report to encourage changes within the employee population?
You should definitely act on the information. It doesn’t make an impact if you have the information and do nothing with it. Promote wellness by getting classes and challenges, or by offering incentives to employees involved in certain health activities.
Some employers might be hesitant because they believe employees might wonder if they will be judged by their numbers. You should ensure employees that you do not have specific information, and you should also engage them in some point of the health planning.
You might want to develop a health or wellness committee to discuss the results and decide what wellness activities to implement. It’s important to get employees involved, so activities are planned in the context of creating a culture of wellness.
How can you encourage employees to take advantage of health screenings?
People don’t typically take health screenings just because they want to, so you need to dangle a carrot out there. You might want to give a simple incentive for employees taking a health risk appraisal or biometric screening. Incentives are mainly financial rewards, but can also include gift cards or other goods.
It can also be built into other incentives that you establish for taking part in wellness activities.
Robert Van Eck is associate vice president of employer services and population management at Priority Health. Reach him at (616) 464-8204 or [email protected].
