What matters most? From the Provider and Employer Perspectives

A special breakout session was convened during the Think Tank Roundtable to identify topics that are most important to employers and to providers of employee health management programs and services.

Issues or concepts that are top of mind for wellness providers:

·         Connecting community health to workplace health

·         Redefining and measuring return on investment (ROI) vs. value on investment (VOI), and measuring improved health and performance at the individual and organizational levels

·         Encouraging health care providers (medical students) to understand behavior change and population health

·         Moving away from a focus on programs (which imply a start and finish) toward a focus on population health and sustainability

Issues or concepts that are top of mind for employers:

·         How will PPACA affect wellness programs and what opportunities could it present?

·         If alternative standards can’t be outcomes-based (i.e., must be participation based), some companies would get out.

·         Sustainability of programs and results.

·         Continued focus on measurement: value to the company and to the individual

·         How defined contribution plans will affect health management programs

·         VOI and ROI focus: how do we prove this?

·         Extending effectiveness into the community

·         Retirees and dependents

·         Engagement and sustainability

·         Vendor alignment and matching the right vendors to the style and culture of the company

·         Building trust and relationships between employees and employers

The HERO Connection

HERO is heavily involved in a collaborative effort with the Care Continuum Alliance (CCA) to establish a common set of metrics for employee health management programs. Approximately 70 individuals, members of HERO and CCA are working together to identify a set of common success metrics for the health management industry. The work of these committed experts is divided into seven domains: Value on Investment, Financial Outcomes, Health and Productivity, Health Impact, Participation, Satisfaction, and Organizational Support. The release of the recommended core metrics is planned for fall of 2013.