Corporate Health Promotion and Effective Healthcare Reform.

It’s clear to virtually every American (namely those of us in business) that healthcare costs are skyrocketing out of control.

No one doubts that either the market will solve the problem OR the government will impose one on us. Managed care has failed from either a cost containment or quality of care perspective.

Organizations have reached the point where the cost of providing health insurance is nearly as burdensome as government regulation. It is time for some new thinking on healthcare and its impact on business and vice versa.

Company wellness as an operational perspective instead of merely window dressing is one way to deal effectively with rising healthcare costs.

The Insurance Problem

The first step in correcting the problem is to realize that an employee’s health is their own responsibility. Expecting employers to provide unlimited medical insurance coverage is simply unrealistic and unreasonable.

It’s time for businesss (on a broad scale) to reconsider their role in providing health insurance coverage. Instead of providing complete coverage for all staff through group plans, businesses should begin to shift the burden of health coverage to those covered.

Here’s the approach. Give catastrophic medical insurance as a group benefit to all staff members with a big enough deductible (say $5000 per employee) to make the cost inexpensive for the business.

Then, allow staff to buy their own health insurance policies (based on their own needs) and pay for them through payroll deduction with pre-tax earnings.

There are numerous insurance businesses that sell individual plans on this basis. Everyone wins. Staff Members can tailor their coverage to their own needs and circumstances using their own doctors. Businesses win by stopping the endless cycle of rising costs and ever-changing plans.

And when person become responsible for the cost of their own insurance, they become more attentive to their own health.

Besides, when an staff member is interested in working for you ONLY because your organization offers excellent insurance benefits aren’t they telling you they are going to cost you more money in the future?

Develop a “Health Promotion Culture”

Our current “sickness culture” perpetuates the health care crisis and hastens the demise of market-based solutions. By ailment culture, I mean our focus on medical problems in lieu of on having a healthful workplace and performance culture.

Now, what would a “wellness culture” look like? First, in lieu of paid sick days, employees might  be rewarded at year’s end with an attendance bonus.

Staff Members would be reimbursed for successful completion of use of tobacco cessation and weight-loss programs. Corporations would invest in corporate memberships at local health clubs so every employee can participate.

Employees would be offered in-house wellness programs on a variety of issues ranging from ergonomics to stress management. Lastly, organizations would commit to hiring and retaining healthful workers.

Simply put, healthful employees cost less and are more productive than unhealthful ones. Applicants must be screened for health habits and practices that limit their productivity and increase the likelihood of future expense.

While this might seem harsh, it rewards those workers whose personal lifestyle and habits ensure the best Return on Investment by the corporation committing to hire, train and pay them.

Be open to “alternative and complementary” approaches

Studies published in major medical journals reveal that individuals who use “alternative and complementary” health modalities (including chiropractic, acupuncture, yoga and massage) are ordinarily healthier, better educated, take fewer medications and miss fewer days from work than the average American.

Since these person look for ways to stay healthy without drugs and surgery, they end up being a net benefit respecting attendance and productivity. Old prejudices in this area should be discarded in order for businesses to improve productivity and increase profitability

Conclusion

Healthcare costs are increasing at a staggering pace. Managed care is an terrible failure. Corporations are buckling beneath the pressure of providing health coverage to their staff members.

American competitiveness in the market is sagging. These times call for amazing solutions. It’s time for American companies to consider some out-of-the-box solutions to the healthcare crisis.

Company wellness is an approach that is timely, achievable and reasonable given the alternatives. All options should be considered while we still have a chance.