As you search for additional benefits to offer your employees you may consider creating an in-house health and wellness program. With between 65% and 90% of large firms offering biometric screening and a variety of free vaccinations, it’s certainly something to consider. Here’s what you need to know.
What Is Biometric Screening?
First and foremost, biometric screenings are 100% confidential and in full compliance with all healthcare privacy laws—HIPAA. While employers will receive group screening data and analytics, they have no way to access individual employee results. Biometric screenings and vaccinations are designed to be proactive, but they in no way replace annual or as-needed care with a medical professional.
Since 75% of healthcare costs are attributed to conditions that are almost entirely preventable, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, and diabetes, biometric screening can alert employees to their risk factors. The testing includes a blood specimen to test for cholesterol, triglycerides and glucose. It also includes blood pressure testing and measuring and monitoring height, weight, body mass index, body fat percentage, and waist circumference. While blood is drawn, biometric testing does not test for illicit drugs, HIV/AIDS, or hepatitis.
What Are The Benefits Of Biometric Screening And Free Vaccines?
There are a variety of ways that biometric screening and free employee vaccines can be of benefit. As we mentioned above, the results can be a proactive approach to help employees change their habits to reduce their risk for preventable health conditions. Many employers start with annual Flu Shots on-site. The cost of a Flu Shot program is minimal compared to the overall cost of lost productivity from absenteeism for a flu breakout in the workplace. Test Smartly Labs has been doing on-site Flu Shots for many years and it’s easy to get setup with one for your workplace.
Once a large enough group of employees has completed screening, your company can analyze the group data to determine how to cater your in-house health and wellness program for company-wide areas of opportunity. For example, if a high percentage of employees has or is at risk for diabetes, you may replace Monday donuts with a healthier alternative. If a high percentage of employees have high blood pressure, you may take steps to determine if the company culture is a contributing factor. When you schedule your annual health fair, you can cater the participants to address the most common employee risks factors. Some employers even reach out to a HIPAA-approved third-party for personalized health coaching, of which the employee identity is never shared with the employer—only the health coach.
With consistency, this proactive approach can reduce health plan costs, reduce time off from unplanned sick leave, and lead to healthier, therefore happier, employees. The healthier and happier your employees, the more productive your employees. Also, your ongoing commitment to health and wellness can boost employee morale and is a benefit that can contribute to increased retention rates.
In other words, Your employees will appreciate your commitment to their personal health!
How To Get Employees To Participate In Your Biometric Screening Process?
There are a variety of things you can do to get your employees and their insured family members excited about participating in your health and wellness initiatives. Here are just a few ideas for inspiration:
- Ensure employees understand what the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is, and that your in-house initiatives are 100% confidential.
- Schedule a variety of supportive health initiatives throughout the year to show your ongoing commitment to health as an employee benefit.
- Make access to biometric screening and vaccines easy and convenient. This might include having a team come on-site several times a year and providing access to a local testing facility.
- Partner with local gyms and healthcare facilities to provide employee discounts.
- Create an incentive program for employees who participate in screening and vaccines. This might include a slight reduction in healthcare premiums or a gift certificate or raffle for everyone who participates.
Is Biometric Screening Only For Corporate Or High-Stress Environments?
No! Biometric screening can be of benefit for employees across every industry. From corporate offices to factories, call centers, restaurant chains, retailers, local small businesses, nationwide brands, and everyone in between.
If you are looking to create or expand your employee health and wellness program and would like to learn more we invite you to reach out to Test Smartly Labs. We have partnerships with labs in almost every state and can provide a variety of supportive services for your health and wellness program.
Contact Test Smartly Labs today for all of your Testing needs…