EBN/Forrester study: Disease management, wellness programs mark steady progress, yet challenges remain

In this year's EBN/Forrester Research Benefits Decisions' Impact Study of more than 900 benefits professionals, we asked employers of all sizes about their health care cost-containment strategies; three approaches rose to the top. Although small and midsize employers have fewer resources and a smaller employee base over which to spread expenses, they aren't far behind in offering programs for diabetes (78% among midsize firms and 63% among small employers) and asthma (55% for midsize 46% for small). Further, employers express a desire to measure results they don't currently capture, including health outcomes and employee participation in wellness or lifestyle change programs. Employers also are interested in indirect results like employee productivity, absenteeism rates and employee satisfaction - outcomes rarely measured currently.