Vitality Group Inc.

Family premiums in employer-sponsored coverage have increased by 7% for the second consecutive year, now averaging over $25,000, according to a new report from the KFF on employer health benefits (https://lnkd.in/gMB6-3-2). Notably, despite the increasing premiums, employee contributions have remained stable for the last several years, indicating that employers are shouldering more of the costs to avoid passing these costs onto their employees.  But there’s another solution. Instead of upping deductibles, employers should consider integrating health and wellbeing engagement into cost shares. The way healthcare is currently funded is inequitable – no matter their engagement for managing their health, members pay the same. But it shouldn’t be this way! When members engage in their health and wellbeing, it drives measurable improvements in costs that can offset cost increases. Our Impact Study showed that employers saved an average of $462 in annual medical claims costs per engaged member.   What if we aligned what members paid to their efforts to manage their health and wellbeing to create a more equitable, Shared-Value approach? An approach where members who take the steps to manage their health – and thereby drive down their healthcare costs – get to share in the value they create. This is what Vitality has designed in our Dynamic Contribution Manager. In fact, we help employers structure their programs so that employers are better off under all engagement circumstances, while members benefit from lower health insurance premiums - a true win-win!  

Next time you get your blood pressure taken, make sure you are resting your arm correctly! A new study (https://lnkd.in/g-eri9MF) compared blood pressure readings when people rested their arms on a surface, on their lap, or hanging by their sides – and found that certain positions altered the readings. It’s crucial to monitor your blood pressure, as nearly half of adults in the USA have high blood pressure according to the CDC. While false increased readings can lead to unnecessary diagnoses and medication, underdiagnosing high blood pressure remains a significant concern. So the next time you get your Vitality health screenings done, make sure you’re in the proper position: feet flat on the floor, back supported, and arm resting on a surface!

New research out of University of Oxford highlights the relationship between employee wellbeing and company performance. Using data from job-search platform Indeed on self-reported job satisfaction, purpose, happiness and stress, researchers found that employee wellbeing is strongly positively associated with organizational profitability and value. These findings come as no great surprise and instead emphasize what we at Vitality Group Inc. have known all along - investing in our people is the right – and smart – decision. Our clients recognize this too. Across our book of business, we see that highly engaged members routinely have higher job satisfaction and lower turnover rates, as well as better perceptions of health, fewer health-related absences, and lower Vitality Age differentials. Happy, healthy employees AND better business outcomes? Now that’s some real ROI.