Bob Carey, Executive Director of the Employers Action Coalition on Healthcare, says that businesses can cut health care costs by rewarding workers who adopt healthy lifestyles:

State and federal policymakers searching for ways to control health care costs might take a closer look at the health management strategies used by a number of large employers.

Leading-edge companies are keeping their health insurance costs in check by using a multi-pronged approach that incents employees to take greater responsibility for their health, promotes early detection and prevention, rewards healthy lifestyles, and establishes a “culture of health” throughout the organization. Two supermarket chains – Hannaford Brothers and Safeway – offer examples of ways that employers are making a difference.

Safeway’s Healthy Measures program differentiates employees’ premiums based on tobacco usage, healthy weight, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels. Employees who choose to participate — the program is voluntary — are tested for these four measures and can receive premium discounts for each test they pass. Read more…