Corporate Wellness Programs in a Depressed Economy

Corporate Wellness Programs and Healthcare Costs

Corporate Wellness Programs are more important now than ever. A recent article in the Wall Street Journal, with the troubles in the economy it seems that the costs of business offered health care keep continuing to grow and it doesn’t seem like it is going to change. The article states that during the year 2008, United States businesses can expect to see an increase of 10% in health care costs.

This increase in health care costs is causing some small businesses to reduce their employee health benefits or get rid of them altogether.

Corporate Wellness Programs for Healthier Lifestyles

Corporate Wellness Programs do provide an option for small businesses. The corporations can provide discounted co-pays and deductibles to those employees that fully participate in the provided Corporate Wellness Program. Full participation means getting health screens, receiving a health risk assessment, and then working with their wellness coordinator to work towards a healthier lifestyle.

The healthier the employees, the lower the overall health care costs for the corporation. Just one lengthy hospital stay can almost deplete a small business’ health care budget.

Corporate Wellness Programs and Your Bottom Line

Corporate Wellness Programs provide many advantages to a company’s bottom-line. Corporate Wellness Program Statistics from Prudential Insurance show a benefit expense of $312 per individual enrolled in a Corporate Wellness Program compared to an expense of $574 per employee that wasn’t enrolled. Coors Brewing Company showed a positive side-effect of participant absenteeism dropping by 18%, thus greater production and less health care costs overall.