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COVER STORY "Healthy choice programs are about behavioral choices. One of the toughest things an employer battles is having someone who knows that something is wrong and yet they still continue to lead a lifestyle that won't improve their health." -MICHAEL MURPHY, THE PRESIDENT AND GENERAL MANAGER OF ANTHEM BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD IN NEVADA 1. PUT ON A HEALTH FAIR THAT INCLUDES A HEALTH RISK ASSESSMENT Setting up a company health fair once or twice a year can be the first step to engaging employees and getting them on the right track to a healthy lifestyle. "Healthy choice programs are about behavioral choices," said Michael Murphy, president and general manager of Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield in Nevada. "One of the toughest things an employer battles is having someone who knows that something is wrong and yet they still continue to lead a lifestyle that won't improve their health." Companies can provide an opportunity for employees to complete a MURPHY health risk assessment online, then use that as a "ticket" to receive health screenings for factors as cholesterol, glucose, weight, body mass index, body fat percentage, waist circumference and blood pressure — all at no cost to the worker. "These are the first steps to knowing where you fall health-wise," said Wendy Ronovech, Health Education and Wellness associate director at UnitedHealthcare. "After all of these results are compiled, we can offer options of face-to-face consultations or online learning options for any areas of concern." 2. PROMOTE USE OF GENERIC PRESCRIPTIONS Experts say it's wise to let employees know that many times, obtaining generic drugs is as simple as asking for them when visiting a doctor or pharmacist. Generic drugs are usually sold for significantly lower prices than name brands. One reason for the comparatively inexpensive price of generic medicines is that competition increases among producers when drugs are no longer protected by patents. Thus, companies incur fewer costs in creating generic drugs — only the cost to manufacture, rather than the entire cost of development and testing — and are therefore able to maintain profitability at a lower price. "These can be tremendous cost savers for both the employee and the KOWITZ employer, depending on the plan," said Donald Kowitz, president and chief executive officer for St. Mary's Health Plans. "Check with your doctor to see if this will work for you." 3. IMPROVE COMMUNICATION Personal engagement between management and employees is vital, said Gene Rapisardi, the Nevada market president and general manager for Cigna. "Employees need that constant reminder about their health," he said. "It benefits us; it benefits them." That can come through posters or signs in hallways or break rooms, or even through a weekly e-newsletter to staff. Rapisardi also pointed out with the increased use of smartphones and the additional ways they are being used to make lives simpler, the opportunities are endless. "We call it health engagement," he said. "It improves productivity and reduces cost. Let employees realize that there is a financial upside." Experts suggest signs promoting health fairs, classes that are being offered and even weekly health tips. Those same things can be highlighted in the e-newsletter that may include such additional things as a healthy recipe, the opportunity to organize a walking campaign or employee success stories. 4. OFFER CLASSES TO HELP INFORM EMPLOYEES OF HEALTHY HABITS The Health Education and Wellness Division, or HEW, at UnitedHealthcare plays an essential role in engaging employees and encouraging their participation. It utilizes Lunch-N-Learn Seminars that are designed to increase knowledge on a variety of health topics. It offers sessions, which are designed as one-time, one-hour seminars, with such titles as: Allergies: Ease Your Sneeze; Diabetes: The Balancing Act; The Buffet Challenge; and The Supermarket Challenge. "Each person is given a workbook, which is theirs to take RONOVECH home and continue to consult in the future," Ronovech said. "The health educator uses these in the class. "We write all of these workbooks in-house because it's very important to follow the same guidelines that they'll hear from a doctor. That way the employee is getting the same message on all fronts." Several health insurance providers also encourage employers to provide classes on such topics as tobacco cessation, fitness, nutrition and weight management. "The key is engaging the employee and getting them to listen — and then learn," Kowitz said. "That can often be the tough part." | 2 APRIL 2012 | 15