Businesses around the country have discovered a new way to reduce worker injury, time off, and higher Workers Compensation payouts and policy premiums — wellness programs that are already included in the worker’s health insurance coverage.
It’s pretty much a win-win-win. Programs that help workers lose weight or stop smoking carry an immediate cost benefit to the health insurer, the patient, and to you.
- An overweight worker is less likely to be injured on the job, particularly in the construction field.
- Stopping smoking translates to fewer respiratory illnesses, eliminates “smoke breaks” and improves the overall health of former smoker.
In addition, pain management programs including yoga and bio feedback have show positive results in reducing chronic injury pain such as lower back pain, reducing return to work times and in some cases preventing the debilitating injury in the first place.
Making your workers aware of what programs are available to them is the key.
- Sit down with your company’s health care provider and go over the list.
- Don’t be afraid to ask questions. You know your own workforce and what the potential injury issues are.
By combining this knowledge with an understanding of your insurer’s offerings you can identify the programs that will be of the most help. Don’t worry about the cost. In most cases there is none or it’s a co-pay. Remember, the health insurer wants your workers to lose weight and quit smoking as well because it saves the money in the long run as well.
As a side benefit, a work staff that is pain free, smoke free, and in shape tends to make for a happier work environment. This includes co-workers who have not taken advantage of the programs but no longer have to listen to the complaints or have their work flow interrupted.
So give your existing health provider a call and see what they have. It will improve the health of your workers and improve the health of your bottom line.
At Leader’s Choice Insurance Services our mission is to lower your workers’ compensation costs to the barest minimum. Most businesses save 30% and more on their premium with us. Let us give you a free, no obligation quote on your workers’ compensation policy. Just click below:
{{cta(‘dbc2a183-33cb-49e1-bb71-cc69684d4706’)}}
If you enjoy these helpful articles for your business, let us deliver them to you via email. Just fill out the form on the right and we will notify you each time we publish!