Addressing Modifiable Health Risks can Enhance a Company’s Bottom Line
Wellness Coaching has been identified as a leading solution for cost savings and risk reduction to the employer. Not only can it impact long term gains for the employer, but it can create a resource for employees and spouses to learn strategies for changing lifestyle behaviors-further impacting their personal long term health and wellbeing. When wellness coaching is added to the benefit program, it offers an opportunity to touch a large group of the employer’s population, many times including the spouses.
A corporate sponsored wellness coaching program can create a culture of wellness. It can help individuals lower the risk of developing high dollar diseases. The ultimate goal is to reach “at risk” employees before they become a “claim” to the health plan. The wellness coach can take a holistic approach, rather than focusing upon a specific disease or illness.
Most coaching programs are a minimum of one year contracts. Ideally, a contract will span multiple years so population improvement can be tracked and measured. This continuity of a coaching relationship (ideally with the same coach year to year) allows coaches to discuss a health issue when it arises and make appropriate referrals to covered providers, employer sponsored programs, community programs and appropriate educational resources.
According to a recent study by WebMD’s internal analysis of customer outcomes “telephonic wellness coaching has consistently shown a strong impact on population health.” A number of WebMD customers who have implemented telephonic wellness coaching over a one year period have shown impressive results in key areas:
- Repeatable Outcomes
- Claims-Backed Cost Savings
After the coaching program had been in effect for one year, the employer and the employer’s health plan conducted a claims analysis measuring actual claim cost trends versus expected increases (based upon applicable national claims trends and accounting for the aging population).The Employer’s actual Medical Claims Trend Rate was significantly lower than expected. This drove a decrease in per person per year medical claim costs of $148.00 across all risk groups, which translated into $575,000 in total savings from avoided medical and pharmaceutical claims expenditures.
The conclusion by WebMD’s study is “with proven risk reduction and cost savings, wellness coaching has emerged as one of the leading wellness solutions available today. Wellness coaching offers a true population management solution that engages a broad number of employees, motivates them to make long-term behavioral changes, and contributes to a stronger employer-employee partnership.”
