Employee wellness programs positively impact your bottom line

With health insurance costs rising for employers, ways to increase savings are top of mind for today's business leaders. Healthy employees cost less, have greater productivity and higher morale. Business leaders are now realizing how wellness programs and health-management plans affect the bottom line.

To create an active culture in any organization, consider these health and wellness solutions:

• Health screenings to measure high blood pressure, cholesterol, diabetes, etc. 
• Health savings accounts
• On-site Nurse
• Speakers
• All-staff meetings to include a company wellness update
• Mental wellness support services  (depression, stress, grief, etc.)
• On-site health facilities, fitness classes and stretch breaks
• Health fairs - experts on health, safety, financial, etc.
• Leverage partnerships with local companies
• Healthy food options for meetings and lunches
• Promote active competitions and clubs 
• Provide flu shots

To learn more about wellness plan implementation and ROI measurements, BizTimes Milwaukee is presenting The Wellness Summit on April 15, 2011. The event will provide a hands-on, practical and educational opportunity for company leaders to hear from expert panelists from corporations implementing programs as well as industry experts on short-term and long-term business solutions.

Do you have advice for other business leaders looking to reduce insurance costs?