As more employers are becoming educated about the toll obesity in the workforce can extract from a company, solutions continue to hit the marketplace that are designed to address the epidemic. Within the last few days, perhaps the best-known brand in the weight control arena said it was partnering with a major health plan provider to offer employers a new ally in the obesity battle.
Weight Watchers International and Humana Inc. said the latter will integrate the former’s signature weight control programs into its employer sponsored health plans. Employees in those plans will be able to sign up for a free or discounted membership in Weight Watchers. The membership offer will be among the features of Humana’s wellness programs available to employers.
Employees will receive their first six months’ membership for free, and will be able to continue with a discounted membership after that period, the partners said in a release.
“We want to help employers find effective ways to battle obesity, improve the overall wellness of their employees and create healthy communities,” said Beth Bierbower, president of Humana’s employer group segment. “With that in mind, partnering with Weight Watchers just made sense — it allows us to connect our members with a leading weight management program so that they can better navigate their wellness journeys.”
Those who participate can do so in two ways: by attending the traditional Weight Watchers meetings, or through online interaction. Those who attend the meetings also have access to online tools and a chat program for additional support.
The partnership was applauded by the National Business Group on Health, a nonprofit formed to help businesses better contain their health care costs and to support their efforts to have better employee health outcomes.
“Obesity is a significant health issue for this country and has a devastating effect on the health of employees and, by extension, on their employers,” said Brian Marcotte, president and CEO of the National Business Group on Health. “We applaud the commitment by Humana and Weight Watchers to battle obesity and we embrace their initiative to make weight loss programs widely available to health plan members. Ultimately, employers can and should play a role in combating obesity and will welcome the development of accessible, affordable and evidence-based weight management solutions.”
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Dan Cook
Dan Cook is a journalist and communications consultant based in Portland, OR. During his journalism career he has been a reporter and editor for a variety of media companies, including American Lawyer Media, BusinessWeek, Newhouse Newspapers, Knight-Ridder, Time Inc., and Reuters. He specializes in health care and insurance related coverage for BenefitsPRO.
