Page 21 - The Edge Back to School 2022
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Wellness Programs Can Improve Productivity, Morale
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care during the pandemic and will continue to use
it even with in-person visits.” “The healthier we are, the more
resilient we are.” – Kendall Taylor
Behavioral health has become a big issue. “About 60%
of employees are seeing a mental health practitioner at
least once a year,” she said. “We’re finding strategies Taylor recommended including a wellness program
for dealing with mental health issues.” in your benefit package to show employees you
care about them. “It improves employee morale –
Strategies for the next three to five years it goes a long way,” she said.
include: expanding behavioral health care access;
managing cost for specialty drugs; managing Wellness programs are relatively new, and some
high-cost claimants; improving access to quality CEOs see them as something “warm and fuzzy,”
primary care; and promoting virtual care, such as Taylor said. She added: “Over a third of CEOs are
telemedicine or other digital resources. not confident that long-term health benefit cost
management strategies that require investment
“By investing in a solution-based wellness are saving money, and 23% don’t have enough
program, you can analyze your school’s claims information. Employer support matters.”
data, help employees reconnect, better manage
workplace disruption, and plan for long-term Bowler recommended such things as hiking,
savings,” Taylor said. biking and weight-loss programs. “It will grow,
and you don’t have to hire a wellness person to
Borrowing from the conference theme of Racing run the program,” he said. “Someone on your
to Excellence, Taylor said: “Think of a wellness staff can do it.”
program a pit crew that reduces absenteeism,
increases productivity and retention, stabilizes Taylor emphasized: “In today’s tight labor market,
rates and improves employee morale.” robust and customized health benefits with an
effective wellness program can help attract
An effective wellness program with exams talent, retain current staff, and increase long-term
and preventative screening can save you $45 savings.”
per member per month, according to Taylor. In
addition, employees in a wellness program in
2020-2021 had 22% more virtual visits and 23% Kendall Taylor can be reached at: ktaylor@vsit.org or (623) 594-4370
fewer ER visits, while costs for diabetes decreased
Nate Bowler can be reached at: Nate.Bowler@guhsdaz.org
by 45% and for depression the decrease was 54%.
Stress was a major issue during the Covid
pandemic, Taylor said. Stress can affect insulin,
which can push pre-diabetics closer to diabetes.
“We can help these things,” she said.
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