Incentives to stay healthy

Through mostly free exercise, nutrition, disease management and other activities, employees can learn better health practices that improve their daily performance at work and at home — and earn cash and prizes along the way.

Came across an interesting article on how Northern Michigan Regional Hospital is helping it’s employees stay fit… Exceprts below

“The national literature on wellness and health education supports that when you offer an incentive, that is a tipping point to have the employees participate,” said Therese Green, NMRH director of community health and wellness.

In the past, hospital employees who participated in an annual health risk appraisal and other activities not only earned prizes like pedometers and gift certificates to a local outfitter but “wellness points.“ At the end of the year, the points are converted into “wellness dollars” and the dollars applied to the employee’s benefit plan, reducing the annual cost of insurance.

But starting this month, employees who complete the assessment — a confidential online questionnaire that allows employees to set and track personal health goals — will receive an incentive cash payment of $50 after taxes, Green said. Employees who visit a primary health provider for a physical during the year will receive an additional cash incentive.

Green said the voluntary health risk appraisals are incorporated into aggregate reports letting the hospital track the overall health of its employees. Based on that information, the hospital can program specific contests and activities for employees, from “lunch and learn programs” to healthy cafeteria entrees.

The employee wellness program began about 10 years ago as a way to improve the health status of its 1,600 employees, cut down on employee health care costs and better connect workers with the organization, Green said. It’s also a chance to be a role model for the region