Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois

 

January 24, 2014

All Markets
Wellness Programs Can Improve Members’ Health and Reduce Employers’ Health Care Costs

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that more than 75 percent of U.S. health care costs are due to chronic conditions that are largely preventable through education and medical intervention programs. In the U.S., the estimated economic impact of chronic disease is $1.3 trillion annually — and rising.1 As a result, employer groups are looking for ways to curb their health care spend and help employees improve their health.

At Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois, we know that providing evidence-based wellness strategies and targeted interventions is of utmost importance. As such, we can provide our employer groups with healthy lifestyle and condition management programs, and biometric screenings.

Healthy Lifestyles
Increased physical activity has been associated with lower medical claim costs and increased productivity. Our Fitness Program includes low monthly membership fees, and members who visit the gym three-or-more times a week have almost two times the claim costs savings of members who visit the gym one-to-two times a week.

Condition Management
Our condition management program focuses on asthma, diabetes, coronary artery disease, congestive heart failure and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease — which represent roughly 30 percent of claims cost. Our program targets members with these conditions and provides education on the importance of health screenings. We also engage members’ physicians to decrease lapses in care.

Biometric Screening
A biometric screening is a short health evaluation, which establishes a health baseline. The screening will help determine a person’s risk level for certain diseases and medical conditions. Many of these conditions are preventable and if diagnosed early, conditions can be treated. [Note: Biometric screenings are available to groups with 12 or more employees.]

To learn more about our wellness programs and how they’ve impacted our members, please read our newest Vantage Point flier. Vantage Point fliers are focused on key issues, trends or primary research.

1 The Milken Institute. Fact sheet: the economic burden of chronic disease on the United States. www.milkeninstitute.org. October 2007. Accessed Sept. 18, 2012.

 
 


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A Division of Health Care Service Corporation, a Mutual Legal Reserve Company,
an Independent Licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.