As the cost of health care and health insurance continue to rise, many employers have begun looking for ways to encourage their employees to achieve better health. Their goal is to give the employees the tools they need to achieve and maintain a healthy lifestyle. And a healthy employee is a benefit to both the employee, and the employer. Some of the most common offers we hear about these days are:

• An on-site fitness facility, or discounted memberships to a local gym

• Free or discounted fitness classes

• Discounted memberships in weight-loss programs

• Free lifestyle and nutrition counseling

• Smoking cessation programs

• Free or discounted healthy cooking classes

But instead of simply encouraging workers to exercise or eat healthy, some companies are actually setting specific targets for weight, blood pressure, and cholesterol. If employees are able the meet these goals, they will get extra money on their paycheck, or a credit towards their health insurance premium.

There has been a bit of criticism for these new programs, from those who are medically unable to participate. For example, some employees may have a genetic predisposition towards high blood pressure, while others may be taking medications for which weight gain is a side effect. But a new Federal regulation is currently in effect, mandating that these wellness programs must offer an alternative for those who can’t or shouldn’t meet the specific goals. For example, if you cannot maintain the necessary BMI for the program, you agree to go on a daily walk instead.

Supporters of the program hope that it will not only benefit employers and employees, but eventually improve our nation’s overall health status as well. The Milken Institute released a study last year, showing that redirecting our health system towards preventing diseases could actually eliminate 40 million cases of cancer, heart disease, and other chronic illnesses over the next 15 years. This would certainly decrease the annual amount of money spent on health care, which would hopefully decrease the amount of money spent on health insurance.

We’re intersted in hearing of the different incentives your employers are offering. Have you participate, or would you consider participating, in an employer-sponsored wellness program? Please leave your comments below!

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