Aetna - Healthy Lifestyles

Aetna is one of the nation's leading providers of health, dental, group, life, disability and long-term care benefits. Currently, Aetna has 27,000 employees with approximately 6,000 participating in the Healthy Lifestyles health and wellness program.

The program’s main objectives include improving employee health status, lowering healthcare costs, increasing worker productivity; helping employees make informed decisions about their health, and rewarding employees for taking steps toward achieving better health.

The plan includes an incentives program which offers financial incentives for participation in preventative care visits/screenings, weight management and workout activities. In fact, employees can earn up to $345 a year which can be deposited into a health savings account, (coupled with a high deductible health plan), employer-established fund (defined contribution medical plan featuring a Health Reimbursement Arrangement) or paycheck in order to help employees manage their healthcare expenses. Additionally, the plan offers health information kits, toll-free nurse line, on-site physical therapy, fitness facilities and programs, nutrition, stress management and smoking cessation

Results:

• By the end of 2005, approximately 6,000 employees were participating in Healthy Lifestyles and Aetna had paid out $463,000 in rewards
• Individuals who improved just one risk factor increased their presenteeism by 9% and reduced absenteeism by 2%

Other Statistics and Facts:

In 2005, Aetna was honored by the National Business Group on Health as a recipient of its "Gold Award" in the Employers for Healthy Lifestyles awards program. They were one of only 22 companies honored.

***For further information, please visit, http://www.aetna.com/index.htm.

Published: January 26, 2009