Helping employees get fit
In 2004, when Loudoun County, Va.’s, health care plan contract was set to expire, administrators began searching for a new plan that included programs for employees to improve their health through diet and exercise. With the cost of insurance claims steadily rising, county leaders thought it would be wise to help employees take steps to prevent disease and chronic illness.
Loudoun County contracted with Bloomfield, Conn.-based CIGNA for health insurance services, which included designing wellness programs for almost 10,000 county and school employees. As part of the contract, a company health education coordinator analyzed employees’ lifestyles to identify their most critical needs. The coordinator also reviewed the county’s claims history, environmental factors and local demographics, and visited work sites to observe building conditions, food and exercise opportunities. Employees’ readiness to participate in wellness programs was evaluated, and the coordinator considered which strategies would motivate them to take better care of their health.
The analysis showed that county and school employees were most at risk for diabetes, heart disease, high cholesterol and stress, so the county created six programs to target those problems. The “Your Best Life Challenge” program encourages employees to evaluate their lifestyles and follow plans from the health insurance provider that focus on stress management, weight management and smoking cessation. To further motivate employees to participate, the county began the “Employee Wellness Challenge,” an incentive program that offers a $120 credit to employees’ health plan flexible spending accounts when they complete an online health risk assessment, five health screenings and preventive exams.
To increase employees’ physical activity, the county launched “Wellness Buddies,” where more than 30 teams of five employees each compete to walk the most steps in eight weeks. Each participant receives a start-up kit, including a pedometer and maps of local walking paths. This spring, 150 county employees kicked off the competition with a group walk through the Leesburg community, led by Loudoun County Administrator Kirby Bowers. Steps are logged online, and each member of the winning team receives a gift card to Healthy Roads for Living, an online vendor.
“Wellness Workshops” are held monthly at county facilities and cover a range of health topics, and “Wellness Corner” is an online library that includes announcements about upcoming activities, articles about staying healthy and schedules for exercise classes. “Health & Wellness Matters” is a county newsletter that announces activities and community events, and provides wellness tips and healthy recipes.
So far, more than 1,000 employees have participated in the first year of the programs, and many have begun to see results. According to Donna O’Brien Morrin of the Loudoun County economic development team, the walking program tapped into her competitive nature. “Wearing a pedometer made me want to reach at least 10,000 steps a day, as some of my colleagues were routinely logging 12,000 steps,” she says. “For me, it meant that I started walking two miles to work three or four days a week, something I rarely did before.”
As a result of positive employee feedback, continued commitment and the desire to manage health care costs, the county will expand its wellness offering for next year. “Healthy employees are happier and more productive,” says Nelia Larson-Mann, county benefits administrator. “Ultimately, there is a huge payoff for those who focus on and promote wellness in the workplace.”
