Highlights:
- Self-insured employer with plant locations in 10 states
- Traditional managed care and consumer-driven coverage offered
- Healthier Days offered as voluntary wellness program since May 2005
- Employees and spouses are eligible to participate
- Participation level is presently > 30% of the eligible population
- Impact is measured via claims analysis, participants vs. non-participants
- Preliminary results show calculated claims expenditure differences > 10%
A large self-insured employer with plant locations in 10 states offers traditional managed care and also consumer-driven insurance plans. The voluntary Healthier Days program is open to all employees and their spouses, with over 30% of the eligible population participating at the present time. As of December 2006, after 18 months of claims analysis, initial results indicate at least a 10% differential between claims costs for Healthier Days participants and non-participants. (The calculated difference is actually higher, but the preference here is to be conservative.)
Perhaps the most compelling dimension of "healthier days" emerging for this population is indicated by the growing flow of testimonials thanking us for helping to make lifestyle changes a reality. People are sharing with us sincere stories about the changes in their lives that have been facilitated by their participation in Healthier Days — exercise changes, eating changes, tobacco cessation, and the management of various health risks (weight risk, diabetes risk, heart risk).
Here are just a few quotes we have received from members —
Healthier Days has helped me become more disciplined. It has been a big help to me. It makes me be aware of my health. I feel a whole lot better.
— Kam, Elberton, GA
As of November 8th, I have lost 51.6 pounds through Weight Watchers. I am walking five or six days a week for a minimum of 3.1 miles with a short term goal of being able to jog the entire 3.1 miles and a major goal of participation in a half marathon. I have had to buy some new clothing since everything was hanging on me due to dropping from size 24 to 18/20. While I have a way to go to reach my target weight, I am looking forward to continued participation in all the programs to help me stay motivated and accountable to reach that ultimate goal and reward of Healthier Days!
— Susan, Allentown, PA
My participation in Healthier Days has truly had a positive impact on my life. I have more energy, fewer aches and pains and I simply feel better physically and emotionally. The added bonus is that my clothes are all getting too big. After only a few months of participation in the Healthier Days "Help Me" programs, I can now see the effectiveness of a wellness program.... I am confident that I will forever remain tobacco free, and while I will never have "six-pack abs," I will continue to manage my weight and maybe I can reach my "high school playing weight." Even if I don't get that low, I feel much better now and I would like to maintain that feeling. As for Healthier Days, simply taking the first step will start you in the right direction. It is a great program designed to provide the tools and the motivation needed to pursue living healthier days. — Bob, Carlisle, PA
The growing impact of peer pressure is another compelling dimension — participants are talking about what they are doing and behaving differently (the lifestyle changes aspect). They're also talking about the rewards they have received through their participation in Healthier Days. All of this works together to influence their co-workers to "give it a try."
Another positive effect of this peer pressure is that there is a lot of "visual checking" going on, reducing the number of people who abuse the honor system (a problem inherent in any personal wellness program), complementing our fraud and abuse detection system. People are working together, talking about what they are doing and actually doing it!
Last updated February 14, 2007.