BWC kicks off employee wellness program

DAVE MOSIER/independent editor

The Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) is rolling out a new employee wellness program that targets Ohio workers at greatest risk for on-the-job injuries and those working for businesses with 50 or fewer employees that do not already have wellness programs.

Troy Boughan, regional business consultant for the BWC who works out of the Lima office, held a workshop Tuesday afternoon on the new program, called Better You, Better Ohio!™, at Van Wert County Hospital, noting that those who participate will have access to:

• A health screening and health assessment
• A robust member health site
• Digital coaching and other resources to help workers take charge of their health

The program is employee-based and specifically tailored for workers in small companies who might be at risk for greater injury or other health challenges, including those who work in construction, manufacturing, agriculture, and other industries that experience higher injury rates, on average, than others.

In addition, workers who submit workers’ comp claims because of injury may be invited to participate in the program.

BWC Administrator/CEO Sarah Morrison noted that, with Ohio currently ranked 39th among the 50 states in overall health, a program to help improve employee health is needed.

“Research shows that healthy workers are less likely to be injured on the job, and if they are injured, they tend to have a faster, fuller recovery than workers with existing health challenges,” Morrison said in a BWC release on the new program.

“A healthy workforce contributes to a healthy business, so if we can create that environment across this state, Ohio will be better for it,” she added,

Morrison and the BWC note that the Better You, Better Ohio! program aims to:

• Help prevent injuries through improved workforce health and safety.
• Reduce absenteeism.
• Reduce the severity of injuries.
• Reduce time away from work due to an injury.

Boughan noted that the new Better You, Better Ohio! program is being offered at no cost to employers. The program is funded using BWC investment surpluses, with Boughan noting that $6 million is earmarked for the first year of the program. Participation is on a first-come, first-served basis until the $6 million cap is reached, he noted.

Boughan also cited the following statistics to underline the BWC’s interest in a wellness program:

• Obese workers file twice as many claims as those who are not obese, and are off 13 more days per injury.
• Business pay an average of $2,189 in workers’ comp costs for smokers, compared to $176 for non-smokers.
• Injured workers are off 30 percent longer when they have another, unrelated health problem.

The BWC has contracted with ActiveHealth Management, a subsidiary of Aetna Insurance, to provide services for the program, including an online website and state-of-the-art mobile app for creating weekly action plans and getting health tips.

Boughan stressed that employee health information is kept confidential and is not shared with employers.

Moreover, the program also provides a financial incentive to workers who participate, Boughan said, noting that the BWC is offering $125 gift cards from a variety of companies to those who enroll in the Better You, Better Ohio! program.

The program, and ActiveHealth website, will be available on February 1, Boughan said.

Employees can sign up for Better You, Better Ohio! by visiting go.activehealth.com/betteryoubetterohio, clicking the Request to enroll button and completing the online form. ActiveHealth will verify you meet the participation conditions and will send you a confirmation email within 24 hours of submitting the form. The email will include instructions for signing up for the program.

Employees’ individual health information is private and confidential and is not shared with employers or the BWC.