Hawaii Pacific Health, a non-profit healthcare organization, has implemented a wellness program that will fully reimburse the cost of weight loss surgery for certain qualified employees. While some people may question whether or not an employer should offer a benefit that only a few employees may need or want, others may applaud the company’s forward thinking.
With nearly 2 out of 3 Americans being overweight or obese, obesity has become more than just a health problem affecting individuals. It represents an economic problem for society, especially in the workplace. Numerous studies have shown that obesity negatively impacts productivity and profits, due to increased health care costs, sick-leave, and disability pensions of the employees.
To help decrease obesity among employees and reduce the impact of weight related health conditions in the workplace, some companies have developed wellness programs to support employees weight loss efforts. It is not unusual for a wellness program to include an on-site fitness center, healthy food choices in the vending machines and cafeteria, nutritional counseling, and weight management programs, but it usually does not include weight loss surgery.
By helping employees get healthier, however, companies can benefit. For Hawaii Pacific Health, it was envisioned as an investment in the work force and a way to control employer health costs.
Obesity is often accompanied by many other health problems, including diabetes, hypertension, depression, sleep apnea, and heart disease. Not only are the medications to control these conditions costly, but the health consequences can negatively affect an employees attendance at work.
As these health problems usually improve following weight loss surgery, the cost of surgery is less significant than the benefits gained from improving the health of the employee. By improving the health of the employees the company is able to reduce employee absenteeism and reduce the amount the company spends for employee medications.
Wellness programs can be both risky and rewarding for employers to implement, but potentially they can benefit both employers and employees alike. Perhaps the decision of Hawaii Pacific Health to include weight loss surgery in their wellness program will show other companies the benefits that can be gained in the workplace when they remain committed to the health of their employees.
Reference: Pacific Business News “Helping its employees get healthier pays off for Hawaii Pacific Health”
