Prescription Noncompliance Remains A Sticky Problem
Only about 50% of patients typically take their medicines as prescribed, the World Health Organization estimates. In the U.S., non-adherence affects patients of all ages and genders and is just as likely to involve higher-income, well-educated people as those at lower socioeconomic levels.
Information provided by Employee Benefit News.
Health Benefit Cost Per Worker Almost $6,900: Study
The average annual health plan cost per employee is $6,881 (medical only coverage), with an average employee cost of $3,110 and an average employer cost of $3,771 per employee, according to a survey by United Benefit Advisors.
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Survey.
Behavioral health program improves quality of life and productivity
A high-risk case management program has shown significant cost savings and better quality of life for workers with comorbid mental and physical illnesses.
Aetna recently released the results from its Med Psych Program, which is geared toward patients with chronic physical and mental illnesses. The evaluation examined claims data for 2,737 HMO members and 1,834 PPO members and tracked medical and pharmacy costs over one year. Data from those enrolled in the program were compared to data from others who have similar health issues but are not enrolled in the program.
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Employee Benefits News to read more.
Insider Tips For Making Your Workplace Great
Every company wants to be recognized as an employer of choice, even if that doesn’t necessarily mean making an annual “best” list. Hal Adler, president of the Great Place to Work Institute, says the secret isn’t sushi chefs and shi tzu walking services. On the contrary, the formula is pretty simple.
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Great Place to Work.
Firms Dock Pay Of Obese, Smokers
Companies seeking to cut rising health care costs are starting to dock the pay of overweight and unhealthy workers.
Clarian Health, an Indiana hospital chain, will require workers who smoke to pay $5 out of each paycheck starting in 2009. For workers deemed obese, as much as $30 will be taken out each paycheck until they meet certain weight, cholesterol and blood pressure standards.
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Clarian Health to read more.
Ten Healthy Reasons To Take A Vacation
The surf's calling, but if you're like many, you're feeling guilty about asking your boss for a little time off to relax--even though you desperately need it.
Not only do Americans get a meager amount of vacation time, they also tend not to use it all, according to Expedia.com's seventh annual Vacation Deprivation survey, conducted this spring.
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Vacation.
Preventive Measures Could Drastically Improve Employee Health
More than 100,000 additional American lives could be saved each year if people better followed basic preventive care, according to a recent study from the Partnership for Prevention.
Employers may wish to enhance their programs and communications promoting prevention.
The study found troubling deficiencies in the use of preventive care across the nation and among minorities in particular.
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Prevention.
All Work And No Play Makes A Company...Unproductive
It may be summertime, but the living isn't easy—not for weary workers whose last vacation is a distant memory. According to one recent study, 1 in 4 employees in the United States doesn't get any paid vacation. Almost half don't take even a week off every year. Economists estimate that the average American works one more month per year today than in 1976.
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vacation.
Employer To Fine Unhealthy Workers
While many employers have been using financial incentives to encourage participation in wellness programs, one company will begin charging employees more for their health insurance in 2009 if they allow health risks such as tobacco use, obesity or high cholesterol to go unchecked.
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Clarian Health.
Innovative Wellness Programs Reduce Health Care Costs
Companies with the lowest medical costs focus on employee health, clinical care programs and cash-based incentives, rather than traditional cost management methods, according to new study published by SHPS.
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Wellness to read more.
Millions Skip Meds, Don't Take Pills Correctly
WASHINGTON - Consider it the other drug problem: Millions of people don't take their medicine correctly — or quit taking it altogether — and the consequences can be deadly.
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Prescriptions.
