by Michael E. Memberg, Esq.

Many employers have wellness programs in place to promote healthy lifestyle choices such as smoking cessation and regular exercise. These programs are typically associated with group health insurance, as opposed to workers’ compensation, but there are many benefits to the sharing of information between the two systems. In the October 31, 2011 edition of Business Insurance, Roberto Ceniceros addressed how these programs are being adapted to workers’ compensation claims.

The upside to integrating the wellness program into workers’ compensation claims is that injured employees can be transitioned into programs that are already in place to reduce the overall cost of healthcare for employers. Additionally, workers’ compensation adjusters and nurse case managers are valuable sources of information for group health insurers with respect to comorbidities, due to their contact with injured employees who might otherwise not be in contact with anyone from their group health carrier.

For companies who choose to move in this direction, there can be several logistical issues with integrating workers’ compensation and group health, particularly related to the sharing of information between the two different systems. Broadspire recently worked with a large employer to integrate its workers’ compensation program with the employee wellness program, and more employers may start to go in that direction as well.