IBI Research Indicates that U.S. Businesses Consider Health & Productivity Programs Critical to Maintaining Employee Health and Containing Costs

According to research findings released by the non-profit Integrated Benefits Institute (IBI), health and productivity programs are critical to U.S. businesses burdened with the declining health of their employees, growing pressures of lost worktime, increasing health care costs and global competition, and the uncertainty of health care reform. The survey conducted with Harris Interactive of nearly 500 employers details the employers’ perspective on health and productivity management (HPM) programs being implemented, plans over the next two years, and measurement of key outcomes.

San Francisco (Vocus) January 25, 2010

According to research findings released by the non-profit Integrated Benefits Institute (IBI), health and productivity programs are critical to U.S. businesses burdened with the declining health of their employees, growing pressures of lost worktime, increasing health care costs and global competition, and the uncertainty of health care reform. The survey conducted with Harris Interactive of nearly 500 employers details the employers’ perspective on health and productivity management (HPM) programs being implemented, plans over the next two years, and measurement of key outcomes. The results and their implications for employers will be presented at the 2010 IBI/NBCH Health & Productivity Forum being held February 8-10 in San Antonio.

“To provide comprehensive services to all of our employees, we’ve found it’s critical to integrate health promotion, employee assistance programs, disability management, occupational medical services and diseases management programs,” said Michael L. Taylor, MD, Medical Director for Health Promotion, Caterpillar Inc. “Integration and team interactions have led to stronger performance improvement ideas and helped the various teams more confidently recommend needed services for employees.”

Key research findings include:

• Most employers have some form of HPM practices in place, with wide variation in the types offered. Of the three broad program categories surveyed, some form of health promotion is almost universally offered (98% of survey participants) followed by disease management (91%) and disability return-to-work (RTW) programs (85%).
• Employers consider disease management initiatives most important to their HPM efforts though those practices are less commonly offered than those in health promotion.
• Employers are committed to their HPM efforts, and in many cases intend to add financial resources to their existing practices. Two-thirds of employers expect a net increase in resource commitments to HPM over the next two years, while only 4% expect a net decrease.
• One in three employers does not measure absence and productivity outcomes from its HPM efforts. Employers more frequently measure sick days and disability absences – usually through administrative and claims data – than they measure presenteeism or health-related lost productivity. Employers recognize the value (in both money and effort) of measuring outcomes but typically cite insufficient resources as reasons for not doing so.
• Employer use of HPM has increased significantly in the past five years.

“Given the current economic conditions and the state of health care, employers need every way possible to improve the productivity of their workforces. Employee health is a key part of that equation,” said Thomas Parry, PhD, President of IBI. “Rather than cutting HPM programs, our research indicates that these types of programs are becoming a key part of their business strategy.”

A summary of the report is available to the public at ibiweb.org. The full report also is available to IBI members.

About the Integrated Benefits Institute
The Integrated Benefits Institute (IBI) provides employers and their supplier partners with evidence-based resources for demonstrating the business value of health. As a pioneer, leader and nonprofit supplier of health and productivity research, measurement and benchmarking, IBI is a trusted source for benefits performance analysis, practical solutions, and forums for information and education. IBI’s programs, resources and expert networks advance understanding about the link between – and the impact of – health-related productivity on corporate America’s bottom line. For additional information visit: ibiweb.org.

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