Health and Wellness

Health and Wellness       2

Workplaces have a significant impact on the health of their employees.   The health plans and programs they offer are proofs of this impact.   The economic increase of health insurance is still out weighing the popularity of programs that increase the overall health of employees.   Wellness programs may also increase the health of employees but businesses and employees do not see the effects.   Eventually health care cost, health concerns, and wellness programs will integrate.
The United States spends more on health care than any other industrialized country.   The cost of health care in the United States is rising dramatically.   Americans are worried that the amount they pay for health care or insurance will continue to increase.   Charges for hospitals and doctors are rising three times the rate of inflation and are equal to 15% of the total gross domestic product.(Goldhirsh Group Inc. 1994).   It   is believed that health insurance premiums will rise to an average of more than $14,500 for family coverage in 2006.     Because of this more than half of all Americans who have health insurance are also enrolled in some kind of managed care plan; which include preferred provider organizations (PPO's), health maintenance organizations (HMO's), and point of service (POS) plans.   A Preferred Provider Organization has arrangements with doctors, hospitals, and other providers of care who have agreed to accept lower fees from the insurer for their services.   Health Maintenance Organizations offer their members different health benefits, including preventive care, and all for a monthly fee.   With some HMO's you will pay a co payment for prescriptions and doctor visits and with others you may not pay anything.   Whereas the Point of Service plan usually makes referrals to other providers in the plan.   When the doctor makes the referral to a doctor on... [continues]

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