Employer innovative health and wellness initiatives to reduce the impact of obesity

Pitney Bowes is a nationally recognized leader and innovator in the programming and measurement of employee health and wellness initiatives. The company's integrated approach to providing value-based health care focuses on preventive care, removing barriers to receiving care, and providing resources which empower employees to take control of their own health. A major priority of the company's wellness initiatives is to prevent obesity, maintain healthy weight, and increase physical activity among both workers and their families, as well as to provide evidence-based treatment for obesity and obesity-related illnesses.

In 2001, Pitney Bowes initiated its "Health Care University," which offers a variety of health programs at low or no cost to employees. Employees who complete modules earn points toward lowering the amount they pay toward their health insurance. This voluntary program includes disease management programs for asthma, diabetes, cardiac care and blood pressure control, and a disability management component. Other offerings include nutrition education, stress management, weight control programs, in-house exercise programs, on-site fitness centers, and onsite cafeterias that offer healthy foods at lower costs than unhealthy choices. At many locations, the company also provides onsite medical clinics.

The medical benefits provided to employees are also designed to lead to better health and lower costs over the long term. For example, Pitney Bowes realized that it could save money by spending more to increase the percentage that the company pays for medications for employees with chronic conditions like asthma or diabetes. The savings are generated over time (about $1 million a year in asthma and diabetes costs alone) as these employees become more compliant with their routine medication, and thus end up with fewer doctors' visits, fewer emergency room visits, and fewer hospitalizations.

In a related initiative, Pitney Bowes has joined with CHD Meridian Healthcare, a company that specializes in developing wellness programs, to implement a Web-based health awareness and promotion tool. This voluntary program asks employees to answer questions in five categories (tobacco use, diet, BMI, degree of physical activity, and seatbelt use) three times a year. If employees show an improvement in these areas, they receive financial credits toward their benefits program.

These innovative health and wellness programs clearly result in lower healthcare costs. Workers who participate in the Health Care University have 10% lower healthcare costs than those of nonparticipating employees, and the company's overall increases in health spending run lower than the industry average every year.