Last week, an Assembly committee in California approved a bill that would require companies bidding on California state contracts to provide wellness benefits for employees. It's not a big part of anybody's health reform package, and the odds aren't good that AB 2360 will become law, but the attempt represents a significant shift in thinking about health care and how it can be legislated.Many states and employer groups, both public and private are starting to recognize that to truly achieve better results in health care including expenses is to do something to help encourage a healthier life style.
Many state legislatures now have or are working on legislation to help bring about more awareness and promotion of healthier life styles as a part of providing for health care programs that don’t just pay the bills for problems or cures."So much of Western medicine is geared to reacting when something goes wrong that we don't pay a lot of attention to staying away from trouble.
A generation ago, attempts to legislate wellness and healthy habits were unheard of. They're still rare now, but less so. Today there has been a noticeable increase in the number of bills promoting wellness programs in state legislatures.Bills have taken different approaches to encourage wellness programs, including insurance premium discounts or rebates for participation in wellness programs, discounts in group premium rates and tax credits.When one looks at the results of healthier life styles and the effect it has on individuals and groups, the results clearly show that future costs of health care can be dramatically affected if the percentage of people improving there life style through healthier habits grows.
Look to see more legislation, employer involvement in healthier lifestyle programs including incentives to help encourage people to participate and manage there life style programs.
Does your health plan or company benefit carrier have programs, check it out as most do and have for the last several years. As an employer or employee consider the many opportunities available.
Commercially you can sponsor programs from some of the top fitness, weight management, and health care testing companies in your own community.
Need some assistance with this, contact us and will consult with you on how to develop and encourage the use of these plans with your companies employees.
Many state legislatures now have or are working on legislation to help bring about more awareness and promotion of healthier life styles as a part of providing for health care programs that don’t just pay the bills for problems or cures."So much of Western medicine is geared to reacting when something goes wrong that we don't pay a lot of attention to staying away from trouble.
A generation ago, attempts to legislate wellness and healthy habits were unheard of. They're still rare now, but less so. Today there has been a noticeable increase in the number of bills promoting wellness programs in state legislatures.Bills have taken different approaches to encourage wellness programs, including insurance premium discounts or rebates for participation in wellness programs, discounts in group premium rates and tax credits.When one looks at the results of healthier life styles and the effect it has on individuals and groups, the results clearly show that future costs of health care can be dramatically affected if the percentage of people improving there life style through healthier habits grows.
Look to see more legislation, employer involvement in healthier lifestyle programs including incentives to help encourage people to participate and manage there life style programs.
Does your health plan or company benefit carrier have programs, check it out as most do and have for the last several years. As an employer or employee consider the many opportunities available.
Commercially you can sponsor programs from some of the top fitness, weight management, and health care testing companies in your own community.
Need some assistance with this, contact us and will consult with you on how to develop and encourage the use of these plans with your companies employees.
800-334-7875
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