Jeppesen and Dent made their comments at the SHRM Annual Conference and Exhibition held recently in Las Vegas, Nevada. Jeppesen, who is SPHR certified, is senior VP, Human Resources of Larry H. Miller Group of Companies; Dent is a senior consultant for ACAP Health in Dallas Texas.
Costs of Health Care with Wellness in Place
What’s the bottom line for the wellness program Dent and Jeppesen run? Over 4 years, employee costs have held relatively stable, employer costs have stayed stable, while most employers have encountered substantial rises in costs.
Annual Medical Plan Cost per Covered Employee
| Year |
Employee Cost |
Employer cost |
|
2006 |
1650 |
8,875 |
|
2007 |
1950 |
9,038 |
|
2008 |
2000 |
8,697 |
|
2009 |
1750 |
8,669 |
|
2010 |
1850 |
9,300 |
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The program flows as shown in the diagram. Successful completion results in a substantial discount off health care insurance contribution. (Employees get a $60.00 per month reduction and an additional $60.00 per month if the spouse participates). In 2014, when a greater discount is allowed, Jeppesen expects to offer the enhanced discount.
Jeppesen calls the Miller Companies’ program Fit for the Future. The diagram shows how it works.
|
Fit for the Future
All employees are invited to participate |
||||
|
Elects to participate |
Elects NOT to participate |
|||
|
Has metabolic syndrome |
||||
|
Completes |
Does NOT Complete |
|||
|
Discount of $60/month for employee; additional $60/m if spouse participates |
No discount—Employee makes regular contribution |
|||
What does the program cost? About $7.50 per participant per month.
Simple Takeaway
If listeners take only one thing away from hearing her speak, Jeppesen wants to impart this wellness tip—First, note that 1 teaspoon of sugar equals 4 grams of sugar. Then, she says, think about that yogurt you are so proud of eating. Typically yogurt has 36 grams of sugar. That’s 9 teaspoons of sugar in that little tiny cup!
Her First Thank You
Speaking of employee responses to her Fit for the Future Program, Jeppesen says that it’s the only time in her career that employees have come up to her to say “Thank you.”
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