Smart Benefits: How to Make Wellness Work in 2020

Monday, January 06, 2020

Rob Calise, GoLocalWorcester Business/Health Expert

Rob Calise

For Americans, getting healthier is the top New Year’s resolution each year. And companies can help employees reach their goal with workplace wellness – as long as the programs are done right.

Last year, JAMA reported the results of a study that found workplace wellness programs don’t result in significant differences in clinical markers of health or healthcare spending or utilization – despite a higher number of those surveyed reporting regular exercise and weight management. Since the majority of small and large employers offer some type of wellness program (53 and 82 percent respectively, according to Kaiser Health News), how can companies – and employees – get the maximum benefit out of them?

Make the incentives significant enough. To motivate workers to make big changes, consider offering more than just small-dollar gift cards and instead look to incentives like premium discount and HSA contributions as well as non-financial rewards like paid time off.
Target your efforts. Rather than simply offering lifestyle management programming, think about tailoring interventions by focusing on workers with greater health risks such as those with chronic diseases like cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
Stay the course. While wellness programs may not yield big health and financial benefits immediately, the program participants are likely healthier than workers who don’t take part, which can result in improved outcomes over the long term.
Take a comprehensive approach. Don’t limit wellness efforts to basic programs like screenings or self-reported assessments. Instead, make the workplace healthier with better dining options, bike racks, walking meetings, and other steps to transform the culture.

Rob Calise is the Managing Director, Employee Benefits of The Hilb Group of New England, where he helps clients control the costs of employee benefits by focusing on consumer-driven strategies and on how to best utilize the tax savings tools the government provides. Rob serves as Chairman of the Board of United Benefit Advisors, and is a board member of the Blue Cross & Blue Shield of RI Broker Advisory Board, United HealthCare of New England Broker Advisory Board and Rhode Island Business Healthcare Advisors Council. He is also a member of the National Association of Health Underwriters (NAHU), American Health Insurance Association (AHIA) and the Employers Council on Flexible Compensation (ECFC), as well as various human resource associations. Rob is a graduate of Bryant University with a BS in Finance