A Journey from Unhealthy to HealthiestMilitary Sales and Service

As one of the Healthiest Companies in America in 2017, it’s hard to believe Military Sales and Service (MSS) started 2006 with concerns about employee health. This Dallas-based military exchange company had no ced the unhealthy lifestyles of employees. Leaders were worried about an increase in healthcare costs that would be close to $100,000 if employee health did not improve. Working with their healthcare benefi ts partner, Meritain Health, MSS took steps to implement a Healthy Merits wellness plan. This has helped the company transform from unhealthy to one of the healthiest in the U.S., as ranked by their screening vendor, Interac ve Health.

The starting pointIn 2008, MSS worked with Meritain Health to off er wellness screenings, the company’s fi rst-ever wellness off ering. These would serve as the baseline for employees to track health improvements. The results showed considerable risk among employees for metabolic syndrome, comprised of risks for heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes.

As part of the wellness screenings, MSS also received an Interac ve Health Index (IHI) score, to help gauge the overall health of the employee popula on. The company’s IHI score was -2, indica ng a percentage of the popula on was at moderate risk for serious health issues.

MSS leaders knew they needed to take steps to help employees lead healthier lives in order to reduce the company’s healthcare spending.

The strategy

MSS leaders chose programs that would have the most benefi t for popula on health needs. These included components that would be valuable, but also keep the program engaging and fun. To date, the MSS wellness plan includes the following:

Biometric wellness screening—off ered annually to help program par cipants understand their baseline clinical scores.

Online tools and resources—including a health assessment and digital coaching programs, for health insight and impac ul ways par cipants can make health improvements.

Health challenges—par cipants choose from a range of ac vi es based on their needs and preferences, such as weight loss, mindfulness and recrea on.

Disease management—par cipa on is voluntary for employees to receive nursing support for high-risk health condi ons.

On-site wellness events—including an annual health fair, healthy cooking challenges and other wellness-themed ac vi es throughout the year.

About Interactive Health’s Healthiest Companies in America

Each year, wellness company Interac ve Health (IH) reviews the progress of its clients for successful outcomes.

IH’s Healthiest Companies in America have the following in common: >70% wellness program par cipa on rate At least 40% of high-risk members reduced risk At least 45% of moderate-risk members reduced risk Low health risks across employee popula on

In 2017, just 156 companies across the country and throughout a variety of industries were awarded this honor.

(Wellness committee’s Heart Challenge poster)

(Baseball Challenge team captains)

Overweight employees 29%

High cholesterol, triglycerides or LDL cholesterol 31%

High cholesterol ratio 36%

Low-ranking score for cardiovascular fi tness 40%

MSS initial 2008 health risks:

The health improvementsThanks to an engaging and comprehensive design, plan members have been very responsive to the MSS wellness program. Currently, the engagement rate is 77 percent. As a result, the company can report par cipant health improvements in both metabolic syndrome and pre-diabetes risks.

The company’s IHI score has improved, as well. MSS now boasts a -9.4 overall, with 82 percent of Healthy Merits par cipants ranked in the lowest risk bracket based on their wellness screening results.

Fewer people at risk means less fi nancial risk for the company. As of 2017, MSS has realized a poten al savings of almost $50,000 per year in healthcare costs.

Keeping employees engagedSo what makes the MSS wellness plan work? It’s a combina on of incen ves, crea vity and staff enthusiasm. MSS uses the following smart techniques to keep employees joining in again and again:

Wellness credits. Employees’ healthcare premiums are reduced by earning wellness credits through par cipa on in a combina on of ac vi es, including wellness screenings, annual physicals and wellness challenges.

Impac ul vendor partners. MSS’s biometric screening vendor, Interac ve Health, off ers follow-up to wellness screenings, such as improvement reminders and voluntary wellness courses. This helps members understand their health needs and make posi ve changes.

Fun themed events. An evolving schedule of annual events currently includes a baseball-themed wellness ac vity, an annual health fair and healthy food celebra ons.

Employee wellness commi ee. This group of employees works together each year with their Healthy Merits wellness plan strategist to plan and manage wellness challenges and ac vi es. Commi ee tasks include planning, promo ng and running events.

Crea ve communica ons. Posters (created by the wellness commi ee) with interes ng themes, pop culture references, bright colors and compelling images help capture employees’ a en on and encourage them to par cipate in wellness ac vi es.

In addi on, monthly Healthy Merits newsle ers provide ac onable informa on and health ps in regards to na onal health observances, such as American Heart Month or Na onal Nutri on Month.

Moving forwardAlthough MSS is pleased with its current progress, they strive to keep the wellness program fresh and interes ng for employees. This requires ongoing coordina on between leadership, the wellness commi ee and their wellness plan strategist for a con nuously eff ec ve wellness off ering to maintain good employee health.

Ready to begin your success story?Becoming a healthy company requires commitment, knowledge and experience. That’s why Meritain Health is your Advocate for Healthier Living. We work with companies and organiza ons every day to understand your unique popula on health needs and what’s driving up plan costs. We help our clients build effi cient health plan strategies, including wellness programs to improve employee health. Plus, we off er easy-to-use healthcare and ancillary benefi ts your employees can use to lead healthy, produc ve lives.

To learn more, just contact your Meritain Health representa ve or Healthy Merits wellness plan strategist.

• 18.3% at risk for metabolic syndrome

• 15.5% at risk for pre-diabetes

$100,000

$90,000

$80.000

$70,000

$60,000

$50,000

$40,000

$30,000

$20,000

$10,000

$0

2008 2017

$90,950

$47,281

Estimated Annual Cost of Employee Benefi ts

www.meritain.com | © 2018–2019 Meritain Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

In their words

I love the Healthy Merits Wellness Program because they manage our biometric screenings each year, as well as track the employees wellness credits throughout the year. Our wellness coach is amazing! She meets with me and my wellness commi ee each year to assist us in designing our wellness credit program for the en re year. She also par cipates in our annual health fair! I am so happy to be partnering with Meritain Health as our benefi ts administrator!

~ Military Sales and Service Human Resources leadership

This material is for informa on only and is not an off er or invita on to contract. Health benefi ts and health insurance plans contain exclusions and limita ons; see your plan documents for complete descrip on of benefi ts, exclusions, limita ons and condi ons of coverage. Plan features and availability may vary and are subject to change.

The reference to previous outcomes made as a part of this communica on does not guarantee success in any new or future case(s), as the result of each case depends upon many factors, including the facts of each case.