It’s a bit of a “put your money where your mouth is” situation. An investment in employee health and wellness that started more than a decade ago has saved Blue Cross and Blue Shield of New Mexicomillions of dollars in medical claims costs.
According to Kurt Shipley, BCBSNM president, the health and wellness program regularly yields the company insurance claim cost savings of approximately 11 percent among participants. Furthermore, a 2010 study of 5,000 participants, showed claims costs savings of more than $1 million from year to year. While Shipley couldn’t say what kind of financial investment the company has shouldered for the programs — in part because BCBS operates in five different states — he says the payoff is well worth it.
“We’ve been doing it for over 10 years and as every year goes by, we focus on it more and more. For us, we’re an insurer and if we can’t do it for our own employees, we can’t go out and tell companies to do it for theirs. We need to walk the walk and be out there as an example. What it does for employee morale — they come to work with a much more positive attitude and that’s bigger than the dollar savings we get,” he said.
The company, which is being honored as one of Business First’s 2015 Healthiest Employers, installed a gym at its headquarters three years ago and offers myriad fitness classes and Weight Watchers meetings to employees. In addition, BCBS participates in events such as National Walking Day and has developed demographic-specific fitness programs such as “Fit for 60” and “Move for 2,” as well as family-friendly fitness activities.
Business First’s Healthiest Employers Wellness Expo and Awards Luncheon takes place May 14 at the Crowne Plaza Albuquerque.
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Date: May 11, 2015