title: Lowering employee health care costs through the Healthy Lifestyle Incentive Program.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the impact of the Healthy Lifestyle Incentive Program (HLIP), a worksite health program, on lowering prescription drug and medical costs.
  
  
  METHODS
  Health care cost data for Salt Lake County employees during 2004 through 2008 were linked with HLIP enrollment status. Additional program information was obtained from a cross-sectional survey administered in 2008.
  
  
  METHODS
  The program includes free annual screenings, tailored feedback on screening results, financial incentives for maintaining and modifying certain behaviors, and periodic educational programs and promotions to raise awareness of health topics.
  
  
  METHODS
  Frequency and cost of prescription drug and medical claims.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Participation increased from 16% to 23% in men and 34% to 45% in women over the 5-year study period and was associated with a significantly greater level of physical activity and improved general health. Participants were generally satisfied with the HLIP (43% were very satisfied, 51% satisfied, 5% dissatisfied, and 1% very dissatisfied). The primary factors contributing to participation were financial incentives (more so among younger employees), followed by a desire to improve health (more so among older employees). Over the study period, the cost savings in lower prescription drug and medical costs was $3,568,837. For every dollar spent on the HLIP the county saved $3.85.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Financial incentives and then a desire for better health were the primary reasons for participation. The HLIP resulted in substantial health care cost savings for Salt Lake County Government.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Science, College of Life Sciences, Brigham Young University, Provo UT 84602, USA. Ray Merrill@byu.edu
authors.forename: Ray M
authors.initials: RM
authors.lastname: Merrill
authors.forename: Beverly
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hyatt
authors.forename: Steven G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Aldana
authors.forename: Dan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kinnersley
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D003256:Community Participation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003363:Cost Control; D017046:Cost Savings; D005260:Female; D006264:Health Benefit Plans, Employee; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000191:economics*; D006801:Humans; D007345:Insurance Claim Review / Q000191:economics* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D055553:Prescription Drugs / Q000191:economics*; D017678:Sex Distribution; D014589:Utah; D017132:Workplace
chemical_list: D055553:Prescription Drugs