title: Does Targeting Higher Health Risk Employees or Increasing Intervention Intensity Yield Savings in a Workplace Wellness Program?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This article aims to test whether a workplace wellness program reduces health care cost for higher risk employees or employees with greater participation.
  
  
  METHODS
  The program effect on costs was estimated using a generalized linear model with a log-link function using a difference-in-difference framework with a propensity score matched sample of employees using claims and program data from a large US firm from 2003 to 2011.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The program targeting higher risk employees did not yield cost savings. Employees participating in five or more sessions aimed at encouraging more healthful living had about $20 lower per member per month costs relative to matched comparisons (P = 0.002).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results add to the growing evidence base that workplace wellness programs aimed at primary prevention do not reduce health care cost, with the exception of those employees who choose to participate more actively.
authors.affiliation: RAND Corporation, Arlington, Virginia.
authors.forename: Kandice A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Kapinos
authors.forename: John P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Caloyeras
authors.forename: Hangsheng
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Soeren
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Mattke
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017046:Cost Savings / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003362:Cost-Benefit Analysis; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D017048:Health Care Costs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000191:economics* / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009786:Occupational Health Services / Q000191:economics* / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D011322:Primary Prevention / Q000191:economics* / Q000379:methods; D015397:Program Evaluation; D057216:Propensity Score; D012306:Risk; D014768:Virginia; D055815:Young Adult