Although most employees understand how to get and stay healthy, they lack correct perceptions of their health and health care programs, according to a new survey from Aon Hewitt, the National Business Group on Health and The Futures Co.
Eighty-seven percent of respondents report being in good health while 23 percent of respondents say they are overweight or obese. Despite this, 53 percent of respondents who say they healthy are considered overweight or obese based on their heights and weights in the body mass index.
"Employees want to be healthy, but many have an overly rosy perception of their health and may not see an urgent need to take action," says Joann Hall Swenson, health engagement leader at Aon Hewitt. "For others, the activities and stresses of daily life take priority over good health, and many consumers are unwilling to make sacrifices to improve their health. Employers can help workers and their families by first arming them with the necessary tools and resources that give them a realistic picture of their health, and then making it easy and convenient for them to make better decisions and participate in the right wellness programs."
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Employees' misunderstanding regarding health also extends to costs, the survey finds. In fact, health care costs per employee hit $10,522 in 2012 while employer paid $8,318 per employee, but respondents guessed employers paid only about half of the cost.
"These survey results underscore the challenges employers face as they seek to engage employees and their families in health improvement as a means to better managing rising health care costs," says Helen Darling , president and CEO of the National Business Group on Health. "It is critical for employers to bridge the knowledge gap evident in this survey."
Consumer-driven health care continue to gain popularity among employees as 78 percent of respondents are enrolled in account-based plans report feeling satisfied with the plans. Another 89 percent of respondents plan to re-enroll in 2013. Among respondents who have participated in CDHC for at least two years, 97 percent intend to re-enroll.
"Account-based 'consumer' plans continue to rise in popularity with employers, in part, because they require workers to take a more active role in managing their use of the health care system," says Jim Winkler, health innovation leader at Aon Hewitt. "Armed with the right tools and resources, workers who enroll in these types of plans can clearly see what health services cost, and they can use this information to be better informed consumers when it comes to choosing the care they need and spending their health care dollars. In many cases, this enlightened perspective can lead to cost savings for both the employer and the consumer."
Consumer involvement in account-based plans appear to result in positive health behaviors with 60 percent of respondents enrolled in these types of plans report making these changes. Twenty-eight percent of respondents say they undergo preventive care more often, and 23 percent of respondents research lower-cost health care options while 19 percent of respondents more often study health costs.
As many of half of respondents say they would participate in wellness programs with no financial incentives, provided they are easy and convenient to participate. For a monetary incentive, 63 percent of respondents agree that they would fill out health risk questionnaires, and 48 percent of respondents say they would engage in weight management programs. Another 48 percent of respondents say would partake in medically sponsored programs to manage health conditions.
The survey also finds that 58 percent of employer respondents say they provide at least some type of incentive to finish a lifestyle modification program, such as smoking cessation, and 25 percent of employer respondents offer incentives for improving to acceptable ranges for biometric measures.
Among the employee respondents offered health risk questionnaires and received feedback, 86 percent of respondents incorporated changes, and 65 percent say they made a minimum of one lifestyle improvement.
"Consumers are looking for solutions that address their specific health needs and concerns," says Christine Baskin, senior vice president at The Futures Company. "Tailored, targeted feedback, such as that given in the HRQ process, along with understanding individual consumer's attitudes towards health, are essential ingredients to having employees take actions to improve their health and their lifestyle."
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