The benefits of wellness programs

The importance of being proactive in business is not something most employers need to be reminded about. It simply makes good business sense.

Likewise, it makes good business sense for employers to take a proactive approach to the health and wellness programs they offer employees. Wellness programs have been shown to both reduce health care costs and decrease absenteeism and presenteeism.

UPMC Health Plan’s employee wellness program — MyHealth — can easily be adapted to any business. You can begin the process by using the Health Promotion Tool Kit located on the UPMC Health Plan website at upmchealthplan.com.

First, access Employer OnLine, our employer portal. From there, select “Employer Health Promotion Tool Kit” to find the following:

• MyHealth employee-needs survey that will help you gauge employee interest in healthy living programs
• Link to the MyHealth Questionnaire, a comprehensive health appraisal tool
• Suggested strategies for launching worksite wellness programs
• Communication plan
• Plan to measure costs and determine success
• Marketing tools you can use to spread the message to your employees
  
  

The Employer Health Promotion Tool Kit can help you get started on building an effective wellness program.