The Business Case for Wellness Programs in Public Employee Health Plans

Summary:

This brief examines the growth of wellness plans and documents the health and financial benefits they have produced. (9/12)

Author(s):

Robert L. Clark and Melinda Sandler Morrill, North Carolina State University

Publication date:

9/27/12

Filed under:

Research Studies

Key findings:

• The evidence indicates that wellness programs are successful in improving the health status of employees and in slowing health care costs.
• Financial incentives encourage employees and retirees to change behaviors.
• Few governments or agencies have conducted systematic assessments of plans.
• Retirees can benefit from wellness programs, but may require additional considerations.
• Wellness programs likely will yield higher dividends to public employers than to private employers due to the longer career pattern of public employees.

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