Keeping Your Employees Healthy With Preventative Care:

Having a sick employee can quickly impact your group’s health plan. If your state does not enforce guaranteed renewal regulations, it could even mean that your group health plan might be cancelled. However, there are ways that you can help keep your employee’s healthy by promoting preventative care.

Tip #1 - Encourage Yearly Check-Ups. In order to keep on top of their health, your employees should have at least one check-up every year. This can assist their doctor in catching any potential problems early, while they are the easiest to treat.

Tip #2 - Encourage Vaccinations. If your business is involved in dealing with the public, you should encourage your employees to get annual vaccinations. There are currently vaccines for Hepatitis B, influenza and many other infectious diseases. The flu shot is an important one and can help your employees keep from passing the flu to each other and your customers.

Tip #3 - Encourage Health Screenings. Preventative care should include screenings, such as colo-rectal exams, mammograms, glaucoma tests and other screenings. Your group health plan should cover these screenings, making it even easier for your employees to keep themselves healthy. Most of these screenings should be conducted once a year, or more frequently if your employees are at risk for developing certain diseases.

Tip #4 - Promote awareness. Hold an annual meeting to discuss preventative care options that are currently available under your group health plan. Your employees may not be aware that certain exams or screenings are covered by your group health plan. By keeping your employees informed, you are keeping them healthy. If possible, ask if a qualified nurse or insurance company representative can be on hand to answer any questions or provide more information.

Tip #5 - Promote healthy eating. If your break room looks like snack heaven, you can begin to phase in healthy alternatives. Part of remaining healthy comes with eating right. Instead of filling your vending machines with unhealthy snacks, start stocking foods that are not fried, overly sweet or in general, bad for people. It is a good idea to do this slowly, to avoid any unpleasant reactions from your employees. Having a nutritionist stop by to provide more information on healthy alternatives may be a good option as well.

Tip #6 - Make it easy for your employees to access preventative care. It is one thing to promote preventative care, and it is another to make sure that your employees have the time they need to visit their doctor. If your employees need to take an hour or two off to visit their doctor for an annual exam, try not to make it difficult for them. Most doctors will only see patients during business hours, making it difficult for employees to find time during a hectic work week.

In the end, your business is only as healthy as your employees. It pays in many ways to teach your employees about their preventative care options, set a good example, and provide ways that they can act on your suggestions.

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