Health Insurance Daily

Safeway Embraces Consumerism

Employers can reduce health care costs and keep their workers happy by promoting wellness programs and preventive measures, placing more responsibility on employees and providing incentives for healthy behaviors, Safeway CEO Steve Burd told attendees yesterday at the World Health Care Congress in Washington, D.C.

Safeway’s health care costs fell 15% between 2001 and 2005, while other employers on average saw their costs increase 12%. The grocery-chain giant reduced costs by increasing the deductible of its health plans to $2,000, promoting health reimbursement accounts and emphasizing the importance of preventive care. Safeway also decreases the health care payroll deduction by $75 a month for employees who take a health risk assessment twice a year. The company motto is to place more responsibility on the employees and get them more involved in the decision-making process, while ensuring they have all the tools necessary to make informed, positive choices.

Article provided by Benefit News 4-24-07

posted by Mike @ 3:58 PM