Workplace health and wellness is a huge priority. A Global Wellness Institute (GWI) report estimated that worker unwellness costs the United States $2.2 trillion a year. It is no wonder that over 70% of employers are offering some type of health and wellness program to their workers. Unfortunately, if not executed correctly, employee wellness incentive programs can have only a limited impact. This raises a question: How do companies choose programs that work to effectively create a change in employee health and wellbeing? What Makes A Health Incentive Program Work? Successful health and wellness incentive programs help motivate people to take responsibility for improving and managing their health and fitness. They not only help employees live healthier lives but also improve outcomes for the company, as well. This includes boosting productivity, reducing absenteeism, and decreasing healthcare costs. On a related note, great health and wellness programs demonstrate to employees that their employer cares for them and their families. One of the main factors in deciding if a company was “caring” was whether or not that company offered tangible incentives. This is supported by studies conducted by Johns Hopkins University’s Institute for Health and Productivity Studies (IHPS), which have shown that one […]
Category: Health and Wellness
Types of Health & Wellness Incentive Programs
It can be a challenge deciding which type of health and wellness incentive program is the best fit for your organization or whether or not you should engage the services of an incentive provider to gain helpful insights. Health and wellness incentive programs are an important part of encouraging health among employees, decreasing spending on employee health care, increasing productivity, and raising morale among employees. Health and wellness incentive programs come in many forms, depending on the sponsoring organization’s particular goals, and what tactics are needed to influence healthy behavior. Health and wellness incentive programs should be consistent with an organization’s vision and goals, legally compliant, and relevant to the program’s participants needs. As a general rule, most health and wellness incentive programs will fall under one of four different types: When effectively implemented, these health and wellness incentive programs have been shown to improve work performance, decrease the number of sickness-related absences, increase companies’ abilities to attract top talent, and improve employee’s self-management skills. Each of these types of plans have their own unique features and compliance obligations. Becoming informed as to the different types of health and wellness incentive programs and their requirements is one of the […]
Exploring Health and Wellness Program Types. Incentive and Reward Program Series 4
All Digital Rewards understand the importance of a high-quality health and wellness incentive program in increasing workplace wellbeing and improving company efficiency. There are four main options for health and wellness incentive programs. We have discussed types 1, 2, and 3 in our previous posts in our Exploring Health and Wellness Program Types. Incentive and Reward Program Series. In this post, we will be reviewing Type 4 health and wellness incentive programs. Type 4 Health Plan-Related Outcome-Based Programs are available to individuals enrolled in the sponsoring company’s health plan. Rewards are earned based on meeting certain program-specific desired outcomes required by the company’s health and wellness program. These outcomes could include things like reaching a certain BMI level or quitting smoking, which could be rewarded with a reduction in an employee’s health care contributions. Type 4 programs often include a tobacco cessation program. Health screenings are often required at the onset of a Type 4 health and wellness program in order to establish a baseline for the participants and to allow for easy progress tracking as the program progresses. As is the case for all health and wellness incentive programs, Type 4 programs are required to ensure that there is […]
Health and Wellness Points-Based Platform Technology
In today’s evolving digital world, it is critical to ensure that you are utilizing the most effective and up-to-date technology to optimize your health and wellness program. One of the most effective ways to ensure this is to use a points-based reward management system as part of your health and wellness incentive program. Points-based programs are widely utilized both in company loyalty programs and health and wellness programs. Participants are very familiar with these sorts of programs, with an average US household participating in up to eighteen programs at a time. This makes it easier to encourage engagement in health and wellness points-based platform technology, as participants are already familiar with the technology. Participants enjoy earning points in health and wellness incentive programs they can spend on a variety of rewards offered by the program. At All Digital Rewards, our health and wellness points-based platform technology allows for easy access to rewards and incentives, such as prepaid debit cards, gift cards, travel, top brand merchandise and digital rewards – All of which can be shipped or delivered online. Additionally, our system includes a secure environment reducing user fraud and an interface for your administrative staff. As a points-based platform technology […]
Exploring Health and Wellness Program Types. Incentive and Reward Program Series 3
All Digital Rewards, a leading health and wellness incentive provider, is committed to helping health and wellness program managers understand the basics of creating an incentive plan for their members. When creating a health and wellness incentive program, there are four main types that most programs will fall under. In previous posts, we’ve explored type 1 and type 2 programs. In this third post of our Incentive and reward program series, we will be reviewing type 3 health and wellness incentive programs: Health Plan-Related Activity-Only Programs. Type 3 Health Plan-Related Activity-Only Programs allow participants who are enrolled in the company’s healthcare plan to earn rewards after completing certain health and wellness activities. Examples of these Health Plan-Related Activity-Only Programs could include things like a reduction in employee health plan contributions if the employee follows a diet plan, or rewarding an employee for participating in exercise classes, or offering a reduction in employee health plan contributions if the employee exercises for at least 3 days out of a week for a minimum of one hour on each of those days. Your type 3 health and wellness program must be accessible to all similarly situated employees who are enrolled in your company’s […]
Live Well Reward ™ Card – Health Reward Card backed by VISA
Health and wellness incentive programs have been proven to be an effective way to create a healthier, more productive workplace. One of the most popular ways to reward health and wellness program participants are with Health Benefit Cards ie. prepaid rewards cards. These cards are popular because of their ease of use, perceived value, and universal acceptance. Additionally, health and wellness incentive programs that use prepaid cards for their rewards show high levels of engagement amongst participants. A quality health and wellness incentive rewards program management company can create fully customized and branded rewards cards for your company’s health and wellness incentive program. At All Digital Rewards, we recognize and appreciate your commitment to improving your participant’s health and wellness. With our Live Well Reward ™ card you can go beyond traditional health reward cards. Live Well Reward ™ cards allow you to reward your health and wellness program participants as they complete program objectives, such as check-ups, screenings, or wellness visits. Each time participants complete their objectives, cash will be added to their Live Well Reward ™ card, which they can then spend like using a debit card. We partner with Visa® to offer a wide variety of prepaid […]
Exploring Health and Wellness Program Types. Incentive and Reward Program Series 2
There are four primary types of health and wellness incentive programs. In a previous post, we explored type 1 programs. In this second post in our Incentive and reward program series, we will be reviewing type 2 health and wellness incentive programs: Health Plan-Related Participatory Programs. Type 2 Health Plan-Related Participatory Programs require all participants to be enrolled in the sponsoring company or organization’s health care plan prior to participating in the program. Additionally, all rewards from a type 2 program are awarded when an employee participated in the program. Rewards are not based on the results of the employee’s participation. Type 2 programs can include rewards for things like attending tobacco cessation classes, participating in a group exercise program, getting a cholesterol level check, or getting a flu shot. Rewards for these short of participation programs will often be tied to the employee’s health care plan and the rewards can include things like lower copayments or premium holidays. In many cases, these type 2 programs may include medical care. Medical care includes care that is both provided by a trained professional and individualized to the participant. Medical care can include flu shots administered by a nurse, counseling from […]
Is Your Plan Using the Correct Health and Wellness Participatory Reward Program?
More and more companies are seeking to create healthier workplaces. A 2017 survey conducted by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) showed that 53% of organizations want to encourage health and wellness in their organization’s culture and 60% of organizations have implemented some sort of health and wellness program. It is important to create a health and wellness program that will effectively garner employee participation. An excellent way to help create a culture of health and wellness within your company or organization, as well as to ensure maximum participation in your company’s program is to create a health and wellness redemption rewards program. A health and wellness rewards program has multiple benefits that improve both productivity and participants health and wellbeing. A health and wellness incentive reward program can help individuals and families make healthy choices every day, while also reducing elevated health risks. Employers who implement health and wellness reward and incentive programs will see productivity improvements amongst their employees and lower absenteeism. Implementing a health and wellness rewards program shows your employees that you care about their wellbeing and it can improve your company’s employee recruitment and retention, all the while building your employees’ morale. Additionally, a […]
Creating Healthier Outcomes in Health Plan Related Participatory Programs
Health and wellness incentive and rewards programs have consistently proved useful in engaging behaviors that improving health, moral, and efficiency in the workplace. However, there are legal issues that organizations must consider when planning out a Health Participatory programs. Navigating the rules and regulations of a health and wellness incentive program may seem daunting, but in most cases, a health and wellness incentive provider would tell you that the primary legal requirements can be summed up in five general rules. The five general rules for health and wellness incentive programs included: When creating a health and wellness incentive program, one of the requirements you will have to meet will be ensuring that your rewards and incentives do not exceed the maximum amount legally allowable for the participant. In other words, your rewards will have to stay below a certain percentage of coverage cost. Both the Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) have specific rules that are related to the maximum reward allowed. Under the Americans with Disabilities Act, the maximum reward for a health and wellness program is limited to 30% of the cost of employee-only coverage. The 30% includes both financial […]
Exploring Health and Wellness Program Types. Incentive and Reward Program Series I
Many employers seek to foster a healthy, productive workplace using a health and wellness incentive program. These incentive programs have proved to be highly effective in creating a healthier workplace and boosting employee morale. An important part of any health and wellness rewards program is navigating the laws and regulations that are applicable to your particular program and whether or not there is a need to apply technology for the reward incentive management and the help of an incentive provider for the management and distribution of the program. Employers usually choose one of four main types of health and wellness programs when creating their incentive programs. Each program has different features, legal requirements and to keep in mind. In our health and wellness compliance blog series we will explore each of these four main program types. In this first blog of our series, we will be discussing Type 1 Programs: General Educational or Participatory & not Health Plan-Related Incentive Program. Programs that fall under Type 1 focus on educating their employees or offering participation-based programs that are not part of the company’s health care plan. An important thing with these programs is that they are voluntary in nature. These programs […]
Is Your Health and Wellness Incentive Program Compliant?
A health and wellness incentive program can significantly contribute to a healthier and more productive workplace. When designing a quality health and wellness incentive program, and thinking about utilizing rewards and incentives as part of your program, it is essential to ensure that your program is compliant with all legal requirements applicable to your particular type of health and wellness incentive program. There are four main types of health and wellness programs we are going to review in this article. Each type of health and wellness program has its unique features and various applicable laws. The four program types we will be considering include: General educational or informational programs are designed in such a way as to provide general health education and information to employees and, on occasion, their families. These voluntary programs make educational information available to employees without requiring the employee to access the information or engage in an activity. These general education programs are not individually tailored to employees, and they do not provide any medical care. Participatory programs that are not health plan-related are created with the intent of encouraging employees and occasionally family members to make healthy lifestyle choices, but they do more than merely […]
Start The New Year With a Winning Wellness Program
It’s that time, setting better intentions for ourselves to get healthy. Whether it be going to the gym more or eating better, which are literally the top two resolutions the general public gravitates towards, and we’ve got the research to prove it (see the infographic below)! But let’s get to the nitty-gritty of why 2018 is the year to cultivate a winning wellness program. Source: Accelerant Research As the wellness industry continues to evolve (now grossing a whopping $6 billion), it’s becoming more transparent, and providing more information that is readily available for the general population, we can see now how important health and wellness plays in our daily lives, not only for current state of well being, but there is proven research that shows increase in work productivity/performance, less stress-more happiness, and life longevity. So many wonderful benefits and a better quality of life can be achieved with a simple health and wellness program, and the working men and women are taking notice. “More than three-quarters of job seekers say benefits are “very important” when considering a job offer, and 69% say they might choose one job over another if it offered better benefits.”-Source: Spring Buk. Which is why […]
