Healthy Habits Established: July 5 th 2002 J. Scott Uhalt, Ph.D.; Phil Long Wellness Manager Laura Williams, CSU-Pueblo Intern, Fall 2008

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1 Healthy Habits Established: July 5 th 2002 J. Scott Uhalt, Ph.D.; Phil Long Wellness Manager Laura Williams, CSU-Pueblo Intern, Fall 2008

2 Company Overview: Phil Long Dealerships Evolution of Healthy Habits Originally contributed additional $ to premium based on level of participation ($10, $15 or $25) 360 participants = 38% of members on plan $25 contribution had to develop behavior change contract Phil s Fit Factory a.k.a. my Fit Factory: Feb current members = 25% of workforce 3 On-site fitness facilities: $13/mo. if NOT on Health Plan Commercial grade equipment No current financial incentive to participate

3 Company Overview: Phil Long Dealerships Other intangibles as Healthy Habits grows RULE 1: Do NOT EXPECT to get everything at once and never stop promoting wellness! Phil Long is now self-insured: June, 2007 Began to administer HRA in 2006 Looking to grow resources when available: Survey suggests: on-site aerobics, yoga, massage Healthy food choices & access to programs Web-site for better dissemination of information

4 Challenges at Phil Long 1. Developing a program that fits the needs and work parameters of the employee 15 different locations, commission sales force Unavailability to participate in activities during work hours 2. Developing and facilitating a variety of programs to meet the needs and wants of employees - more is better here! No single program is best, variety helps attract members 3. It is hard to justify additional resources without proper evaluative tools. This includes financial savings through prevention, productivity and retention also, not just claims!! 4. Growing and sustaining the program while attracting more members

5 Interventions at Phil Long Behavior Change Programs Action Plans: Monthly behavior change contract agreement Weight mgt., tobacco cessation, stress and time mgt. My Fit Factory Programs Personal training, circuit training, fitness challenges 12 week weight loss, nutritional analysis Walk to Iraq N Back: 4 th Army I.D. support program (pedometers) Risk Reduction Programs CVD, Diabetes, Hypertension, Obesity, Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis, Back Care, Digestive Issues, Cancer

6 Outcome of Programs at Phil Long Behavior change programs: 67 members under Action Plans my Fit Factory programs: 200+ participating in some form of physical activity Risk Reduction programs: 15 working on chronic risk (less wt. loss) Most with chronic conditions don t participate

7 Lessons Learned at Phil Long Employers can only cost shift health care so much. Employees MUST participate in their own health. Unless there is a reason for participating in Healthy Habits, most don t. Consider the 20% of premium you can use as an incentive for employees to earn more employer health care contribution. i.e. Incentivise employees to participate with annual physical, HRA, no tobacco, Action Plan participation, etc.

8 Conclusions on Wellness In 2007, America spent $2.31 trillion on tertiary health care costs (HCC). (Natl. Coalition of Health Care, 2007) That bill would fund the Iraq war for 21 years and it equates to 14% of our GDP We can no longer afford to pay for sickness once it occurs, we MUST prevent it through WELLNESS programs. The problem is that: NO presidential candidate in their reform of health care takes this stance, just more cost shifting. Call your Representative and ask for legislation be made that promotes tax credits and other incentives for business to promote wellness in the workplace. Wellness is the ONLY answer we have..