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As our economy struggles out of recession while health care costs and insurance premiums rise inexorably, many American businesses are being forced to reduce or eliminate employee health benefits.

More than 45 million Americans are uninsured. Of these, approximately 60 percent are employed by small businesses, according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. With smaller risk pools from which to offset the cost of insurance, small businesses’ premiums are rising an average of 18 percent more than those of larger businesses, according to the Commonwealth Fund.

While it is hoped that health care reform legislation will provide some relief from this disturbing trend, the outcome of the national debate is far from obvious. One fact is obvious, however: Healthier employees cost less to insure and care for. At the same time, healthier employees are more productive and generate more income for their employers.

This fact is not lost on mainstream business. Most larger companies and their insurance providers have scrambled to implement health and wellness programs in recent years, and many have had impressive successes. Motorola Inc., for example, saved $3.93 for every $1 invested, according to the 2003 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services report Prevention Makes Common Cents. Overall, businesses realize an average savings-to-cost ratio of $5.81 to $1, according to a review of 56 published studies of work-site health promotion programs by Partnership for Prevention. The programs reduced annual health costs an average of 26 percent, absenteeism by 27 percent, and workers compensation and disability claim costs by 32 percent.

Unfortunately, the development of such programs and the associated savings have been out of reach for many small- to medium-sized businesses, which lack the budget and in-house expertise to implement them.

That’s where we come in.

All2Well’s mission is to help small- to medium-sized organizations bring their workforces to a higher state of health and well-being using the same type of professionally crafted programs and materials deployed by larger businesses. Beginning in the first quarter of 2010, we will make available a growing catalog of products. To begin, we will offer a wellness program starter kit at a below market price. The Wellness Starter Kit includes the following:

Computer-based training (CBT) modules:

• Introduction to Wellness, which describes the basic concepts associated with “health and wellness” and their value to program participants and leaders.

• 10 Tips to a Better You, which describes practical behaviors that will start your program off on the right foot with advice participants can apply immediately.

• Creating Your Wellness Program, which describes the steps you need to take to establish a successful wellness program, including project planning, maintenance, implementation, and evaluation.

Program management templates:

• Annual program outline

• Annual program timeline

• Annual program Work Breakdown Structure

• Event budgets

• Event checklists

• Event evaluations

Program collateral:

• Posters

• Flyers

• Brochures

• Desk drop/post cards

• Intranet web page templates

• Email templates

• Signup sheets

Initially, we are offering this comprehensive package for just $995.

Is our product worth the cost? The Wellness Council of America estimates that an expenditure of between $100 and $150 per employee per year for an effective wellness program will produce a return on investment of $300 to $450 per employee. Even when you factor in the additional costs of printing and employee labor in implementing a program such as ours, the potential savings is compelling. The real cost comes in doing nothing.

For more information, visit [1] all2well.com or [2] email us.

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