According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), productivity losses linked to absenteeism costs U.S. employers $225.8 billion each year (or $1,685 per employee). Chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension, as well as additional factors including stress, fatigue and depression all impact employers’ medical costs and employees’ productivity and morale. “As the cost of healthcare continues to rise, employers are turning to prevention — in the form of workplace wellness programs — to help keep expenses low and improve employee health,” says Pete Desai, chief operating officer, BioIQ.
In the last decade, workplace health screenings have emerged as a tool employers can leverage to identify employees at risk of chronic health conditions and encourage early interventions. When implemented effectively, these programs can help employees take action to improve their health while reducing employer healthcare costs.
However, it’s not enough for an employer to launch a health screening initiative and hope for the best. “A one-size-fits-all approach is not an effective way to engage a population,” says Desai. In a guest article for Employee Benefit News, he explains that in order for employers to maximize the benefits of health screenings, they must provide a personalized experience to their employees. “The key is to ensure the right screening gets to the right employee at the right time,” says Desai. “This type of tailored approach produces significant employer ROI. Not only are lives saved and quality of life improved, but healthcare costs are significantly lowered.”
Read the complete article in Employee Benefit News to learn the five steps employers should take to maximize the value of health screenings.