Wellness Awards Shrink Health Care Costs According to Incentive Research Foundation Study

ST. LOUIS, Aug. 29, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- How can employers and governments encourage individuals to practice healthier behaviors? How can companies get their workers to stop smoking, watch what they eat, consume less alcohol, take their medicine and change their diet? One of the most promising methods is to offer incentives within corporate sponsored wellness programs, according to a new study from the Incentive Research Foundation (IRF). The study affirms the role and success of wellness incentive programs – important findings in light of the forthcoming 2014 implementation of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act's provisions that increases the potential funding  of wellness incentives to equal as much as 50 percent of the per worker total health care premium.

In "Energizing Workplace Wellness Programs: The Role of Incentives, Rewards & Recognition," the IRF examines whether workplace wellness programs can play a significant role in reducing the largely preventable conditions brought on by the poor health choices that escalate U.S. health care costs, threatening to consume as much as 25 percent of GDP by 2025.

The paper examines existing research and case studies to assess the state of workplace wellness incentives and their supporting ROI data, and makes recommendations for determining what rewards are most effectively used in wellness programs.

"The U.S. is spending about $2.5 trillion per year on health care. As much as 75 percent of that is spent on preventable conditions, so the potential savings through preventative health care measures that include workplace wellness programs could be as high as $1.9 trillion per year. And this doesn't even consider productivity gains or worker quality of life improvements," says Rodger Stotz, IRF Chief Research Officer.

IRF President Melissa Van Dyke says the study shows that corporate wellness programs have shown savings-to-cost ratios of more than $3 saved for each $1 invested. She also points to organizations like Johnson & Johnson with estimated savings of $9 to $10 million per year as a result of its wellness program.

"Less than one in five employees will participate in wellness programs that do not offer rewards. This changes dramatically when incentives are offered -- four in five will participate. Clearly all businesses should consider this when looking at their wellness efforts," concludes Stotz.

To view the paper, select the Research tab at www.TheIRF.org or visit http://www.theirf.org/.6078727.html.  

About the IRF:

The Incentive Research Foundation (www.TheIRF.org) funds and promotes research to advance the science and enhance the awareness and appropriate application of motivation and incentives in business and industry globally. The goal is to increase the understanding, effective use, and resultant benefits of incentives to businesses that currently use incentives and others interested in improved performance.

Available Topic Expert: For information on the listed expert, click appropriate link.
Melissa Van Dyke
http://www.profnetconnect.com/melissavandyke  

CONTACTS: Sue Voyles
734.667.2005
sue (at) logos-communications.com
Melissa Van Dyke
314.473.5601
m.vandyke (at) theirf.org

SOURCE Incentive Research Foundation

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