Issue link: https://www.e-digitaleditions.com/i/135744
Wellness In 2012 more than 38 percent of enrolled employees qualified for premium discounts ranging from $500 to $2,000. Ochsner was happy to see that 66 percent of participants are getting enough activity to meet recommended levels for good health. validated and measureable way. HealthZones capture key biometric measurements, including weight, blood pressure, and body fat percentage. The measurements employees take on the HealthZones are instantly uploaded to their own online program portal within the Virgin HealthMiles program. Reporting also became easier and timelier for Ochsner. Virgin HealthMiles' reporting tools provided Ochsner's wellness director with more control over managing and understanding the impact of their wellness program and strategy. The tools also enabled Ochsner to create department efficiencies by greatly reducing the number of staff needed to manage Ochsner's overall wellness strategy. Additionally, the flexibility of the Virgin HealthMiles platform enabled Ochsner to reward employees for positive achievements that supported healthy behaviors. For example, employees could earn additional HealthMiles for an annual physical, having necessary gender-specific tests such as annual mammograms, and/ or for donating blood. Success Through Evolution Much of the HealthMiles program's success at Ochsner can be attributed to its evolution. As the needs of Ochsner and its employees changed, so too did the HealthMiles program's design. Today, 89 percent of Ochsner's eligible employees have enrolled in the HealthMiles program. Moreover, in 2012 more than 38 percent of enrolled employees qualified for premium discounts ranging from $500 to $2,000. Ochsner was excited to see that 66 percent of participants are getting enough activity to meet recommended levels for good health. What's more, of those participants who've taken their biometric measurements, 57 percent have improved their blood pressure, 30 percent have improved their body fat percentage, and 24 percent have improved their Body Mass Index (BMI). The HealthMiles program has become a significant launching pad for enabling the company to track its wellness efforts and more effectively contain healthcare costs year over year, helping the healthcare system achieve its long-term strategic goal. After the first year, Ochsner witnessed a sharp, $3 million decrease in employee-only medical claims (dependents don't contribute to this amount). Moreover, while national healthcare costs have increased 9 percent on average during the last 10 years or so, Ochsner's costs remained flat last year. Over time, Ochsner expects to see even more reductions in healthcare costs, especially around pharmacy costs, as employees become healthier and are able to reduce their reliance on or eliminate certain medications altogether, with their doctor's approval. Culturally, the HealthMiles program has provided the foundation for more sweeping changes across Ochsner's campuses. The organization has taken the next step with respect to encouraging healthy behaviors. Ochsner is now entirely smoke-free, a rule that applies not only to employees but to the health system's patients and visitors. Employees who do not smoke or who choose to enroll in a smoking cessation program receive rebates on their insurance premiums. The organization has also completely revamped its cafeterias and vending machines to eliminate or minimize unhealthy options—there's not a deep fried food to be found on its main campus. Our Virgin HealthMiles program is finally the system-wide wellness program we always wanted, and we are thrilled with the results. We have been able to help our employees stay healthy while putting more money in their pockets and lowering our overall healthcare costs. After its initial success, the Virgin HealthMiles team worked hand in hand with Ochsner's HR and wellness leaders to adapt the program to their changing business needs and optimize program design to continue enhancing employee engagement. Together, the team worked to make the program more robust while keeping it simple Innovation is a key strategy at Ochsner. The HealthMiles program and Ochsner's creative HR and wellness team are making a difference in the quality of life for employees, which lead to better employee engagement, patient satisfaction and loyalty. and easy for employees to understand. What's more, Ochsner now uses the HealthMiles platform to integrate additional employee health programs and incentives under one umbrella—creating a single, unified experience and incentives platform for employees. [54] HRO TODAY MAGAZINE | MAY 2013 Dorothy Cain is a registered nurse and system coordinator for Ochsner's employee wellness program.