Rising gas and grocery costs are dominating headlines, but soaring health premiums remain a top concern of employers, according to Workforce Week.

A Hewitt Associates survey of 500 U.S. companies shows that the health and well-being of employees are primary factors for small business owners looking to lower health care costs. About 90 percent of businesses "plan to aggressively promote healthy lifestyles to their employees in an attempt to cut health care costs." The businesses also plan to promote the health objectives over a long-term period of time.

"Nearly two-thirds (63 percent) of companies are offering incentives aimed at motivating employees to adopt healthier behaviors, while 67 percent 'will utilize health care data and measurements' to shape organization-wide strategies on health and wellness," according to the article.

This idea to promote health and fitness company-wide isn't new. Last year, Richard Branson, founder and chairman of Virgin Group launched a health rewards program in which employees can convert their fitness and health improvements into rewards such as cash or "HealthMiles" points at more than 50 retail locations in the U.S.

SAF members should also keep in mind another form of healthcare expense savings: SAF's participation in the ScriptSave healthcare savings program, which affords SAF members and their employees a discount on prescriptions that are either: a) not already covered by their health insurance; b) if they do not have health insurance; or, c) their health insurance does not include prescriptions. The ScriptSave discount card also gets members a reduced rate on eye exams and lenses at participating locations such as Lens Crafters and other big chain eye care stores.

--Cassandra P. Foster
cfoster@safnow.org

 

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