In an attempt to reign in soaring health care costs, some companies are putting a microscope on the health of their employees, rewarding those who meet health and wellness goals of losing weight and quitting smoking and penalizing those who fail. Benefits experts say these tactics are new and symbolize a shift in philosophy when employees were once rewarded for joining work-sponsored wellness initiatives.
Since 2001, the average annual cost of a family health insurance premium has jumped 113%, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation.
In the past, tobacco users have been issued health insurance surcharges for smoking, but some businesses are rewarding workers who receive good scores on biometric screenings or meet exercise goals, but now employees who receive bad scores or fail to achieve goals are penalized.
RDG Engineering and Design in Iowa uses a system where employees can earn points for activities like running in races, going to the dentist or attending wellness education programs. Once an employee earns enough points, they can be used to waive the $50 monthly employee health insurance premium contribution.
The program has had great success with a 90% employee participation rate and the group’s health scores are improving. Davis Sanders, principal at RDG said, “If you choose not to participate, it’s no different than before; you pay $50 for your insurance.
” These types of programs are great for employees who meet their goals, but it’s conceivable that employees who fail to meet goals could grow anxious over health factors at work.
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