How You're Transforming: Genesis Health System

Like a lot of employers in and out of health care, Genesis Health System has focused on its employee-wellness program to improve the health of its staff and cut costs. And it's achieving some uncommon levels of success, as a recent case study from the AHA's Value Initiative demonstrates.

The Davenport, Iowa, health system began a pilot study a decade ago that revealed one-third of 125 employees examined tested positive for metabolic syndrome. The system proceeded to develop comprehensive strategies and incentives to help all staff members improve their health. It also provided interventions to help employees achieve their personal health goals. Today, the results achieved among the approximately 8,000 covered lives in the program have been impressive, as these highlights indicate:

• Participation has grown to 95 percent.
• Cumulative savings from 2008 to 2017 are estimated at $53 million.
• Average employee out-of-pocket costs are now $1,700, compared with $2,300 nationally.
• Half of those participating in interventions have improved their health.
• The percentage of employee spouses who had metabolic syndrome was reduced by half between 2009 (34 percent) and 2016 (17 percent).

For more insights on the program, listen to this podcast.