In the 55 years since its inception, H&R Block has become a household name. With 2,800 benefit-eligible associates in locations throughout the United States, H&R Block prepares one in seven tax returns while delivering financial services and consulting for businesses, along with consumer tax software.
Company leaders at H&R Block knew that health care costs were increasing and wanted to identify and address the biggest risk factors for their associates. The company began partnering with StayWell Health Management in 2006, and has since experienced consistent participation and growth in its health management program, and positive health outcomes for its associates.
H&R Block began its health management effort with a health assessment in 2006, using StayWell’s HealthPath health assessment and offering NextSteps health coaching for eligible associates. Not only did 63% of associates complete the assessment, but 38% participated in a health coaching program.
The results of the health assessment, which showed stress, eating, cholesterol, weight, and lack of compliance with preventive exams as the company’s top five health risk factors, led the health management team to introduce an incentive component that uses StayWell’s Points Bank system, the Step It Up! physical activity campaign, and onsite health screenings.
Following industry best practices for incentive design, H&R Block’s incentive strategy offers a number of ways for associates to achieve the incentive, along with varying rewards based on the required activity. For instance, an associate can earn points in his/her Points Bank for:
- Completing the health assessment (associates who complete the
health assessment within the first 30 days of program launch also receive a $20 monthly paycheck premium credit, in addition to points)
- Completing a health coaching program
- Participating in a disease management program
- Participating in a healthy pregnancy program
- Getting a flu shot
- Completing an online Healthy Living Program
- Completing online Health Centers that include interactive tools and quizzes via StayWell Online
- Completing self-reported activities, such as getting an annual physical exam, vision or dental exam, taking an exercise pledge, or participating in a weight management program
“We believe in a continuum of care philosophy that allows us to provide everyone with an opportunity to achieve better health regardless of where they are in the continuum,” says Jonna Harris, director, HR Operations at H&R Block. “StayWell has helped us design a program that addresses the needs of all our associates no matter what their health status, and that we can enhance over time. This allows us to respond to the changing health status of our work force and to build a culture of health throughout H&R Block.”
Now in its fourth year, the H&R Block health management program has produced both improved health outcomes and financial savings for the company:
- The number of associates at risk for alcohol decreased by 38%, smoking decreased by 35%, back care and well-being both decreased by 16%.
- Based on the StayWell Impact Model, StayWell estimates that participants in the health management program generate savings of $84,900 per year in direct health care costs and $169,700 in indirect costs, such as absenteeism, disability, workers’ compensation, lost productivity and workforce turnover.
- The number of associates with two or fewer health risks increased from 31% to 37%, while the number of associates with three to five health risks remained steady at 54%, and those with six or more health risks decreased from 14% to 9%.
Molly Hayden is a strategic account manager at StayWell Health Management. She assists with the design, coordination, and delivery of StayWell’s health management programs and services. She can be reached at molly.hayden[at]staywell.com.