“America's workforce is sitting at a crossroads, as autoimmune disease cases continue to rise and cost concerns skyrocket for employers. However, these organizations have an opportunity to not only improve the health of their workforce, but to also protect their bottom line,” said Ellen Rudolph, CEO and co-founder of WellTheory.

Other findings:

• More than 7% of surveyed employed adults received treatment for 1 of 5 researched autoimmune conditions.
• The overall incidence of autoimmune conditions among women was almost twice that of men.
• Autoimmune patients with conditions like multiple sclerosis can cost employers up to six times more in total medical and prescription costs — and up to 15 times more for prescription drugs alone — compared to employees without certain autoimmune conditions.
• The average lost workdays due to short-term disability for patients with certain autoimmune diseases represent approximately 73 days in a full calendar year, costing employers as much as $27,000 per patient.
• The average lost workdays due to long-term disability for patients with certain autoimmune conditions represents almost 287 days in a full calendar year, costing employers $82,000 per claimant.

“Our research with IBI shows that these conditions are not only invisible, they're costly and greatly impacting health care spend, absenteeism, and long-term disability claims,” Rudolph continued. 

“Employers seeking to better understand the impact of autoimmune conditions in their workforce can begin by requesting their carriers, brokers, and/or consultants to analyze the data on their population, focusing on more accurately identifying the underlying prevalence and impact of these conditions,” IBI researcher Barry Hall wrote in the report.

More immediately, though, he suggests several workplace interventions that can be adopted to help employees with chronic conditions. They include the following:

• Offer flexible work arrangements, such as flexible hours, remote work, and modified work schedules.
• Provide ergonomic accommodations that include professional evaluations of employee workstations; ergonomic chairs, desks, and keyboards to reduce physical strain and pain; and adjustable lighting to minimize glare or sensitivity.
• Make environmental adjustments that ensure good indoor air quality to minimize respiratory irritation and provide quieter workspaces to reduce stress and distractions.
• Consider making job and workplace modifications like modifying or reassigning responsibilities to reduce physical or mental demands, as well as reserving parking spaces closer to the entrance for employees with mobility challenges.
• Create awareness programs focused on autoimmune diseases and their impact and challenges, equip managers with knowledge and resources to better meet employee needs, and foster an environment in which employees feel comfortable disclosing their needs and asking for accommodations.
• Provide comprehensive health insurance coverage that includes access to specialists (rheumatologists, dermatologists, neurologists, gastroenterologists), prescription medications, and physical therapy.