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State to Tax Your Fat ...Are You Kidding Me!
In the news, beginning in January 2009, Alabama state employees will be required to receive medical screenings for several conditions, including body mass index (BMI). Those who are considered obese -- along with exhibiting other negative health factors -- will have a year to get in shape. Failure to meet the requirements will raise the employee's premium $25 per month.
Are you Kidding me! No, I'm not and the state of our health is no joke. The motto today is "play or you pay." Critics will say that this is cruel and unusual punishment and discriminates against employees who are overweight or have a genetic disposition for obesity. Or, is this new policy an incentive to create a workforce of employees who are fit for duty, lowering the cost to insure them? According to the CDC, Alabama ranks as the second most obese state - is this title one to wear with admiration, and how does the state of their health tax state services for disability benefits, unemployment, and medical care?
How Much Does It Cost?
Research shows how much more obese employees, in comparison to healthy employees, cost employers to provide health insurance benefits, or worker's compensation claims associated with injuries on the job. In a study conducted by Duke University, overweight workers were more likely to have claims involving injuries to the back, wrist, arm, neck, shoulder, hip, knee and foot than other employees.Common Ground: Employees and Employers
A recent survey conducted by the National Opinion Research Center (NORC) at the University of Chicago, partnered on the research with the George Washington University School of Public Health and Health Services, showed that:
- 80% of employees, regardless of weight, believe healthy lifestyles/weight management programs belong in the workplace.
- 67% of employers are concerned about obesity's effect on medical claims expenses.
- 93% of employers see obesity as a preventable condition and due to poor lifestyle choices.
- Fewer than half of employers believe their company has given enough attention to the problem of obesity.
Where Do You Stand?
As uncomfortable as this issue is to discuss, it is one that will be the focus of health and prevention as they play a greater, integral part of our lifestyles. More companies and organizations are exercising their authority and taking advantage of federal rules that allow them to increase the insurance payments of employees according to their lifestyle.Question: Given the cost of healthcare and what employers pay to offer this benefit, what kind of incentives/penalties are fair and equal for employees who are obese?
About the author
Renzie Richardson, Independent Health and Wellness Consultant, Be Healthy for Life, LLC. For more information, call (404) 819-9549 or email at renzier@be-healthy-for-life.com
Managing Your Career - Being Healthy in a Weak Economy
Reading the paper is no fun these days. We are spending more of our time being on pins and needles about the status of our employment, how to manage our expenses, and how to manage the overload of assignments at work. We are bombarded by news of the unstable stock market, the expense of food and energy and the constant threat of losing a job, people have a lot on their minds.
The good news is that more people are conscious of their health and how stress affects energy,brain power, and being at risk for illness. People are proactive in taking steps now to sustain their health and improve their lifestyle. But as the economy continues to shift, there are good things coming out of this change.
In a recent survey conducted by Cigna Healthcare, some people are changing their health behaviors in the down economy, and most say they will make a change in the next 12 months. Here are some results from the survey.
- 31 percent say their health behavior has changed due to the financial crunch.
- 75 percent say they will eat at home more to save money.
- 66 percent say they will eat better and exercise to handle economy-related stress.
- 78 percent believe exercise and eating right can save money in the long run.
- 54 percent say healthy living will lead to earning more in the future.
Group Personal Training
Most of us socialize with our pack, so why not exercise with our pack? Small-group training is a more affordable option for those who'd like to try personal training along with friends and family. In this type of training, you can work with two or more people in a group setting at a discounted price. It's best to work with people who have similar goals and fitness levels to get the most out of group training. This is a great option for people on a budget who'd like the added motivation of sweating through workouts with a buddy.
In-home Personal Training
In-home training is the second fastest growing trend that offers convenience and privacy. Having a trainer come to you helps you fit exercise into your schedule and reach your goals in a comfortable and private setting. In-home training can be more expensive, and don't need much equipment to get started. Most trainers have "portable" equipment such as free weights and resistant bands. This type of training offers a no-hassle way to make your workouts a part of your schedule.
Health and Wellness Coaching
A Health and Wellness Coach assesses your current health status and work with the client to achieve wellness goals. A growing number of employers are offering health and wellness coaching as part of an overall movement in the industry toward consumer-driven healthcare. A new study by United Benefit Advisors found that of the employers that offer wellness programs, more than a third (39.1%) include on-site coaching or coaching by telephone for high-risk employees.
Typically, they will complete or evaluate your health risk assessment for the current status of your wellness in these five areas: health risks, physical activity, stress management, nutrition, and weight loss. The Coach will advise and assist you in reaching your goals through sustainable behavioral changes. A program will be customized to suit the needs of the client, not a one-size-fits-all approach. Additionally, working with a Health and Wellness Coach will provide structure and accountability. Sessions are held over the phone and Internet, and visual monitors if desired. This creates a completely confidential and convenient environment for each client.
Exercise in the Workplace
Giving the rise in the cost of health insurance, more employers are starting to realize the value of healthy employees--corporations can save money and get more out of their employees if they're fit and feeling good. Many corporations are more receptive to embracing wellness and trying new ideas for getting employees to exercise from installing fitness centers to offering wellness programs that cover exercise, nutrition and stress relief.
Micro-nutrients and Supplementation
Instead of high caloric carbohydrates, employers as well as consumers are embracing whole foods such as fresh fruits, nuts and veggies, and supplements in the workplace. These foods and supplements sustain energy level much more than simple carbs and help improve heart, bone and brain health. Supplement such as glucosimine/conjointin for bone nutrient and joint health reduces inflammation and injury, which benefit savings for worker's comp.
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About the author
Renzie Richardson, Independent Health and Wellness Consultant, Be Healthy for Life, LLC. For more information, call (404) 819-9549 or email at renzier@be-healthy-for-life.com
Managing Your Human Capital - 2009 Trends and Predictions
In 2009, more employers will link health to productivity - play or you pay.<< MORE >>
