Did You Know? Five Key Factors Make The Difference Between Success and Failure In Employee Wellness

U.S. Preventive Medicine has recently released a whitepaper on the importance of prevention in the workplace for 2010. The following is a high-level overview of the whitepaper's recommended minimum criteria for employee wellness programs:

- Accredited. 

Wellness providers should be certified by objective, third-party organizations such as the National Committee for Qualification Assurance (NCQA) and URAC, government-sanctioned accreditation entities that evaluate the soundness of a health care services provider.

- Independent. 

Because sensitive personal information is required to assess an individual’s baseline health and, therefore, critical to developing an effective wellness program, ensuring privacy and independence from employers and insurance providers is essential.

- Personalized. 

While first-generation wellness relied mainly on group weight loss and exercise programs, today’s employers should demand more comprehensive programs based on each employee’s unique health risks and wellness goals. Employers should look for one-on-one support such as personalized action plans, individual health coaching and 24/7 nurse lines.

- Compliant. 

Wellness provider should maintain the legal capabilities to comply with local, state and federal regulations governing employer/employee interaction. They should also have a strong understanding of discrimination and privacy issues.

- Accountable. 

A wellness provider should share responsibility for recruiting employees to participate in the program, persuading members to follow action plans, and achieving the projected return on investment. Program goals and measurement criteria should be outlined and agreed upon in writing before the onset of the program.

In addition to program evaluation criteria, “The Importance of Prevention in 2010” provides prevention background and statistics as well as recommendations for recruiting and motivating members, measuring return on investment and increasing the potential for success. 

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