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 noticed the unhealthy lifestyles of employees. Leaders were worried about an increase in health care costs that would be close to $100,000 if employee health did not improve. Working with their health care benefits 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 biometrics screening vendor.

The starting pointIn 2008, MSS worked with Meritain Health to offer wellness screenings, the company’s first-ever wellness offering. 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 a health index score from their biometrics screening vendor, to help gauge the overall health of the employee population. The company’s index score was -2, indicating a percentage of the population 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 health care spending.

The strategy

MSS leaders chose programs that would have the most benefit for population 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:

z Biometric wellness screening—offered annually to help program participants understand their baseline clinical scores.

z Online tools and resources—including a health assessment and digital coaching programs, for health insight and impactful ways participants can make health improvements.

z Health challenges—participants choose from a range of activities based on their needs and preferences, such as weight loss, mindfulness and recreation.

z Disease management—participation is voluntary for employees to receive nursing support for high-risk health conditions.

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

About the Healthiest Companies in America Report

For 2017 and in previous years, a biometrics screening vendor reviewed the progress of its clients for successful outcomes.

The Healthiest Companies in America have the following in common: z >70 percent wellness program participation rate z At least 40 percent of high-risk members reduced risk z At least 45 percent of moderate-risk members reduced risk z Low health risks across employee population

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-rankingscoreforcardiovascularfitness 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 participant health improvements in both metabolic syndrome and pre-diabetes risks.

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

Fewer people at risk means less financial risk for the company. As of 2017, MSS has realized a potential savings of almost $50,000 per year in health care costs.

Keeping employees engagedSo what makes the MSS wellness plan work? It’s a combination of incentives, creativity and staff enthusiasm. MSS uses the following smart techniques to keep employees joining in again and again:

z Wellness credits. Employees’ health care premiums are reduced by earning wellness credits through participation in a combination of activities, including wellness screenings, annual physicals and wellness challenges.

z Fun themed events. An evolving schedule of annual events currently includes a baseball-themed wellness activity, an annual health fair and healthy food celebrations.

z Employee wellness committee. This group of employees works together each year with their Healthy Merits wellness plan strategist to plan and manage wellness challenges and activities. Committee tasks include planning, promoting and running events.

z Creative communications. Posters (created by the wellness committee) with interesting themes, pop culture references, bright colors and compelling images help capture employees’ attention and encourage them to participate in wellness activities.

In addition, monthly Healthy Merits newsletters provide actionable information and health tips in regards to national health observances, such as American Heart Month or National Nutrition Month.

Moving forwardAlthough MSS is pleased with its current progress, they strive to keep the wellness program fresh and interesting for employees. This requires ongoing coordination between leadership, the wellness committee and their wellness plan strategist for a continuously effective wellness offering 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—improving clinical outcomes while reducing the Total Cost of Care. We work with companies and organizations every day to understand your unique population health needs and what’s driving up plan costs. We help our clients build efficient health plan strategies, including wellness programs to improve employee health. Plus, we offer easy-to-use health care and ancillary benefits your employees can use to lead healthy, productive lives.

To learn more, just contact your Meritain Health representative 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 Benefits

www.meritain.com | © 2020–2021 Meritain Health, Inc.

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 committee each year to assist us in designing our wellness credit program for the entire year. She also participates in our annual health fair! I am so happy to be partnering with Meritain Health as our benefits administrator!

~ Military Sales and Service Human Resources leadership

This material is for information only and is not an offer or invitation to contract. Health benefits and health insurance plans contain exclusions and limitations; see your plan documents for complete description of benefits, exclusions, limitations and conditions of coverage. Plan features and availability may vary and are subject to change.

The reference to previous outcomes made as a part of this communication 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.