Evaluation of a comprehensive employee wellness program at an organization with a consumer-directed health plan.
OBJECTIVE
Consumer-directed health plans (CDHPs) are popular among employers in the United States. This study examined an employee wellness program and its association with employee health in an organization that recently initiated a CDHP.


METHODS
This retrospective observational analysis compared the health risks, employer-paid health care costs, and short-term disability absences of employees of a large financial services corporation from 2009 to 2010.


RESULTS
The two-time health risk appraisal participants had a significant improvement in the percentage of employees in the overall low-risk category. The average annual employer-paid medical and pharmacy costs did not significantly change. For employees who improved their health risk category, there was a commensurate change in costs and absences.


CONCLUSIONS
In a difficult economic climate, this organization began a health promotion program for employees as well as a new CDHP benefit structure. No short-term reduction in health care usage or overall health status was observed.
From the American Express Company (Drs Burton and Kasiarz), New York, NY; University of Michigan Health Management Research Center (Drs Chen, Schultz, and Edington and Mr Li); and Edington Associates (Dr Edington), Ann Arbor, Mich.
Wayne N
WN
Burton
Chin-Yu
CY
Chen
Xingquan
X
Li
Alyssa B
AB
Schultz
David
D
Kasiarz
Dee W
DW
Edington
D000328:Adult; D003258:Consumer Behavior; D005260:Female; D006264:Health Benefit Plans, Employee / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000191:economics / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D018570:Risk Assessment; D018582:Sick Leave / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D014481:United States