Michael Konowalski and Bill Sifert of Optivita Nutrition are excited to offer an extensive corporate wellness program that is both educational and motivating for employees. Employee wellness is important for both the employee and employer. Wellness programs must be fun, educational, motivating, and rewarding to encourage maximum participation and positive results. Our wellness program is unique in providing overall health assessment along with ongoing education and support to encourage positive lifestyle changes.
Wellness programs will be given for a fee to the employer and complimentary to the employees for the determined time frame. They will take place at the employers’ site for convenience and to encourage participation. Seminars can be given for free at the employers’ site or at our conference room at Optivita Nutrition.
Wellness Program Outline
Initial Employee Health Assessment:Employees will be given a health questionnaire via employer distribution in paycheck envelopes, email, or other distribution. Employer will encourage employees to attend health assessment along with incentives for participation donated by Optivita Nutrition. Health test will be determined by the employer and may include body fat, weight, smoking, nutrition, exercise, posture or many other areas determined by the parties.
Ongoing Education and Motivation:Monthly seminars will be scheduled for the risk groups along with fun education topics of interest to employees. Seminars may include prizes for participation for the employees to encourage attendance. Newsletters will also be distributed to the employees covering the topics discussed in the seminars.
Weight Loss Program:Monthly healthy weight loss and weight management seminars will be given. Body fat and weight monitoring along with motivational meetings can be given. Employees will be educated on nutrition, exercise, and healthy weight loss. Participants will receive incentive prizes for reaching their personal goals and participation.
Program Timeline:The program can begin on a date agreed upon by all parties. Initial health questionnaire along with appointment schedule will be given to employees two weeks prior to health assessment meetings. Employees will attend assessment meetings and then receive the report within two weeks. The following month the wellness presentations will begin in both areas of risk and overall employee interest. Program will continue for the time frame agreed upon and will be renewed as necessary.
Additional Programs
Weight Loss Guidance:An initial educational seminar will be given on the topic of healthy weight loss. Nutrition and exercise tips will be given along with handouts provided at the seminar. Employees will be offered fitness and nutritional assessments if they would like personal guidance. Monthly seminars will be given on various weight loss topics including nutrition for weight loss, proper exercise techniques, resistance training, cardiovascular exercises, supplementation, etc. Weight loss challenges may be conducted to motivate employees and encourage participation.
One-on-One Guidance: For employees who would like a more personalized nutrition and exercise program, we offer one-on-one counseling. These programs will take place at Optivita Nutrition on a weekly basis. The program includes personalized diet plans, personalized resistance and cardio programs, weekly body fat and weight assessments, personalized education to help them reach their fitness goals, and much more. This program will be provided for an additional fee paid by the employee at a discounted corporate rate.
Company Wellness Program
How Can Your Company Benefit?
Medical Insurance Costs Are Rising
-The average cost that employers pay for their employee’s family health insurance coverage has increased over 25% over the past several years, from $6,360 to currently over $8,000.
-Nation wide, the amount that employees pay for their family health insurance coverage has increased over 30% since 2001. The average worker is now paying close to $11,000 for their coverage.
-Despite the sky rocketing insurance rates, employee salaries have only risen 3% during the same period. That won’t even cover the rising cost of gas and food, let alone health insurance.
Unhealthy Facts
-15% of the population drives 85% of health costs.
-59% of the next year’s high cost population will come from this years’ low cost population.
-70% of healthcare costs treat preventable conditions.
-New England Journal of Medicine
“Because of the increasing rates of obesity, unhealthy eating habits, and physical inactivity, we may see the first generation that will be less healthy and have a shorter life expectancy than their parents”
-U.S. Surgeon General Richard Carmona
There Is a Direct Relationship Between
Employee Lifestyle and Employer Costs
-Obesity costs U.S. Companies $13 billion annually.
-This group spends 36% more on healthcare and 77% more on medications.
- Source: Employee Benefit News
Poor health risk practices and existing health risk of employees continue to fuel rising medical costs.
This impacts the company’s bottom line due to:
-Increased health claims
-Decreased productivity
-Increased absenteeism
-Increased employee turnover
-Decreased happiness and job satisfaction
-Source:University of Michigan Health Management Research Center
How can your company benefit
from a wellness program?
Questions to ask:
-Do I spend my money on the sickest people? The healthiest people? On those somewhere in between?
-Is it better to spend money on programs like health risk appraisals (HRA’s) and health screenings or on health intervention?
-Is there a combination that will give our company the highest return?
Levels of company commitment
to wellness programs
Level 1:Provide health communications that encourage lifelong learning and health enhancements.
Least Effective
Level 2:Conduct an annual comprehensive wellness assessment that includes biometric data.
More Effective
Level 3:The Optivita Nutrition solution
Most Effective
-Provide follow-up programs to assist employees identify health risks to make needed lifestyle changes. To improve the Company’s rate of return, focus efforts on employees who need the most help.
-Use a health tracking system that provides incentives, rewards and recognition for reaching personal health goals.
-Develop a corporate culture that values wellness and evaluate and measure your program results
Wellness program return on investment
-Companies that invest in wellness generally see significant savings.
-One recent review of seven corporate wellness programs showed average savings of $3.48 for every $1.00 invested.
-While medical care plans and pharmaceuticals are expensive, preventative healthcare provided to employees is essentially “free” due to savings realized.
-Source:Steven Aldana, financial impact – Literature Review, American Journal of health Promotion
