Health promotion strategy lowers healthcare expenditure
The impact of the highmark employee wellness programs on 4-year healthcare costs. Naydeck BL, Pearson JA, Ozminkowski RJ, Day BT, Goetzel RZ. J Occup Environ Med. 2008. 50: 146–156.
Aim
To assess the effect of a health promotion program on healthcare costs over time.
Looked at
1,892 US-based employees who participated in an online and onsite health promotion program between 2002 and 2005; a risk-matched group of 1,892 nonparticipants were used as a control.
How?
Medical claims cost data were compared before program initiation and at study end for participants and nonparticipants.
Results
- The total cost of healthcare grew more slowly between 2001 and 2005, and annual healthcare costs were lower for those who joined the wellness program than for nonparticipants.
- Program participation was associated with a statistically significant saving of US$176.47 per person per year.
- Over the four-year study $1.3 million was saved, which when compared with program expenses of $808,403 yielded a return on investment of $1.65 for every $1 invested.
What does this mean?
Work-based health promotion strategies can lower future healthcare costs and are associated with a positive return on investment, which should encourage employers to take a proactive stance in lowering their employees' health risks.