Lark Health’s Post

Unlocking Productivity: The Surprising Benefits of Offering GLP-1 Medications as an Employee Benefit Recent research suggests a potential link between offering GLP-1 medications as an employee benefit and increased workplace productivity. According to a survey by Accolade, 43% of employers plan to cover these weight-loss drugs in 2024, nearly doubling current coverage rates. This surge in coverage is driven by the recognition of GLP-1 drugs' benefits, with 75% of HR decision-makers acknowledging their positive impact on controlling blood sugar, boosting weight loss, and improving overall health. While direct productivity studies are limited, the International Foundation of Employee Benefit Plans (IFEBP) reports that obesity significantly impacts overall healthcare costs for 25% of U.S. employers. By addressing weight-related health issues, companies may see reduced absenteeism and improved employee well-being. Furthermore, 81% of HR professionals believe their employees would be interested in GLP-1 medications. This high demand could lead to increased job satisfaction and retention, indirectly boosting productivity. As we navigate this emerging trend, it's crucial to consider both the potential benefits and challenges of offering GLP-1 coverage. While the long-term impact on productivity remains to be seen, early indicators suggest that investing in employee health through innovative treatments like GLP-1 drugs could yield positive results for both individuals and organizations. #EmployeeBenefits #HRTrends #WorkplaceWellness #GLP1 #Productivity #HealthAndWellness #EmployeeEngagement #WorkplaceHealth #HRStrategy #WellnessPrograms #HealthInnovation #ObesityManagement #EmployeeRetention #FutureOfWork #WorkplaceProductivity

In healthcare, there are many different healthcare-related policies. A large policy today is the inability to use tobacco and alcohol in the workplace. This policy may upset many (including patients), as nicotine devices (such as vapes) have become such a large part of today's society. However, this policy is to protect the health of both the employee and the patient. When one uses a nicotine device (whether that be a vape or a cigarette), others may be exposed to second-hand smoke. Second-hand smoke is incredibly dangerous, as it has the potential to lead to lung disease and cancer. Alcohol is prohibited in the workplace to protect both the patient and the healthcare worker. Alcohol use may lead to many various things, such as aggression and poor decisions. Healthcare workers vow to work sober as they will be able to think clearly without any sort of impairment. Although these rules are set in place, it is to keep everyone safe. For more information, please see the link below. https://lnkd.in/eR59h3q6 Reference CDC. (2020). Health-related Policies. CDC. https://lnkd.in/eR59h3q6

☀ Change the Culture of Well-Being Struggling with low employee engagement? A mentally healthy workforce is an engaged workforce. Our Cabana Pods create a micro-vacation where employees feel safe and supported to pause. Elevate engagement by prioritizing mental well-being. 🧠 🏖 Learn more about Cabana Pods at https://lnkd.in/eZGFyPpD

ICYMI, this toolkit is one the most sought after. Get a copy now and see how the tools could help you! #ROI #VOI #wellbeing #VirginPulse #employeeengagement

Here's a great report from PAM Physio Supplies exploring the causes of employee MSK related absence, the role Managers can play and tips on reducing it.

💊 TOMORROW: Learn about pharmacy trends that all HR leaders should be aware of. Pharmacy benefits don’t have to be a headache to manage. HR leaders already have enough on their minds: combating employee recruitment, retention, and burnout challenges; navigating benefit complexity; and maintaining competitive benefits against available budget. Learn how to partner with your in-house pharmacy to the strain of increasing high-cost pharmacy claims, focus on employee health and wellness, and uncover savings opportunities. 👉 Reserve your spot: https://ow.ly/M3jw50RETn9 #HealthcareHR #HR #EmployeeBenefits #PharmacyManagement

Substance use, especially alcohol use, is often overlooked when it comes to employee benefits and workplace wellbeing programs. Fortunately, social and cultural awareness is growing around the connection between substance use and our wellbeing, our family and relationships, and even our professional lives.  When substance use becomes a challenge, it can affect an employee’s wellbeing both personally and professionally. That’s why I’m proud to share the work and outcomes from LifeSpeak Inc.’s substance use solution, ALAViDA Substance Use, which was featured in this recent piece by BenefitsPRO. It talks about the true cost of binge drinking, a behavior shared by 61 million people in the United States, that costs employers $249 billion in annual health care costs and decreased employee productivity.  I hope you’ll give the article a read and see what Terri-Lynn MacKay has to say about substance use and the LifeSpeak Inc. approach that is helping people change their relationship with alcohol and other substances. You can also download the full report about outcomes for ALAViDA Substance Use on our website.  Binge drinking costs employers billions, but help is available (benefitspro.com)   #LifeSpeak20Years #HumanResources #EmployeeBenefits #Wellness #SubstanceUse 

Have you started thinking about your plans for Spring 2024? How about attending The Conference Board’s Annual Employee Health Care Conference for free? Springbuk would like to send employers and their teams on us! To learn more, reach out to either Brian Glavin or Jake Friesen. #tcb2024 #employeewellness

Employer plan coverage (or non-coverage) of weight-loss drugs like Wegovy and Ozempic is a major #benefits issue in 2024. Case in point: In June 2021, the insurance plan for North Carolina state employees was paying for 2,800 people to take weight-loss drugs. But in 2023, it paid for nearly 25,000 plan members taking these drugs.  Medications like Wegovy cost the North Carolina State Health Plan $100 million last year, rising seemingly out of nowhere to represent 10 percent of total plan spending on prescription drugs. Concerned by the rapid increase in costs, the health plan’s governing board voted to end all coverage of medications for weight loss, including Wegovy, which accounts for most of its spending on obesity drugs. The plan will continue covering versions of the drugs for people with diabetes. I talk about the North Carolina story, and the implications, on this episode of our Workplace Minute - available on Amazon Alexa, all the #podcast apps, and now on the HR Happy Hour LIVE YouTube channel. #hr #workplace H3 HR Advisors https://lnkd.in/gvPugtuG

💎Bonus Gem💎 Why are GLP-1s are gaining momentum as a hot topic, revolutionizing diabetes management? Their impact on employee health is significant, offering improved outcomes and potential cost savings for employers. Embracing innovation in healthcare benefits both employees and employers. Employers considering GLP-1s for cost savings should ask: 1. How does incorporating GLP-1s align with our current healthcare strategy? 2. What cost benefits can be expected in terms of employee health and overall healthcare expenses? 3. Are there employee education programs to promote awareness and adherence to GLP-1s? 4. Can we negotiate favorable pricing or rebates with pharmaceutical providers? 5. How might implementing GLP-1s impact absenteeism and productivity? Approach it as a cost savings strategy by: 💎 Assessing potential reductions in long-term healthcare costs. 💎 Negotiating with insurers and pharmaceutical companies for favorable terms. 💎 Implementing wellness programs to educate and encourage employee utilization. 💎 Monitoring the impact on productivity and absenteeism to gauge overall savings. Dive into the details and more in our 2024 Market Outlook report on Employee Benefits via the link: https://loom.ly/R-z6Mqo #bonusgemthursdays #networking #IAMChief #beneFITtreasures #employeeengagment #hrleadership #empoweringpeople #enhancingculture #benefitspeopleculture #thrivingthursday #benefitpeoplecultureevents #Thursdaybonusgem #continouslearning #healthcaretrends #creativepathtoleadership