Wellness & EAP Plans - How They Work & Their ROI

Wellness Programs - are organized and coordinated programs that have the goal of enhancing the physical, mental, and emotional status of individuals while reducing the current and future costs related to health care and health insurance. Company and Organizational programs offer benefits, activities, and/or training to improve Employee's health and fitness. A wellness program can include features such as fitness training, company sponsored athletics and sports teams, health education, and life improvement classes. Programs also include prevention of mental health problems through stress management.

The National Wellness Council states, "Wellness is an active process of becoming aware of, and making choices toward, a more successful existence". The Council further points out that there are advantages to the Employer that help offset the cost of implementing and maintaining a Wellness Program:

                   1) Decreased Absenteeism
            2) Reduced Health Care Claims
            3) Increased Productivity
            4) Better Morale
            5) Higher Health Benefit Satisfaction

EAP (Employee Assistance Plans) - are Employee benefit programs offered by Employers, generally in conjunction with a Health Insurance Plan. EAPs are intended to help Employees deal with personal problems that might negatively impact on their work performance, health, and well-being. Plans generally include, assessments, short-term counseling, and referral services including family members. The focus of the plans generally include: substance abuse, smoking cessation, bereavement, marital problems, weight issues, and general wellness.

EAP Services are generally provided by a third party and the Employer only receives summary statistics from the service provider to maintain confidentiality and compliance with HIPPA regulations.

ROI from the Organizations Investment in Wellness and EAP, near and longer-term, can be be estimated and measured by Service Providers using a number of recent studies and tools. Whether the Employer Group is fully insured or self-funded, a well-designed Wellness/EAP plan can provide a combination of cost-savings and more productive Employees. It should be noted, however, that the Employer's Management must "buy-into" and support the plan.