The increasing cost of USA employee healthcare

The Wall Street Journal reports that during 2008, USA employers expect to see a 10% increase in healthcare costs, which is causing some small businesses to reduce their employee health benefits or to eliminate them.

An option for small businesses is to provide employee wellness programs, with financial assistance for employees who are involved. This involves getting a health check, risk assessment and then developing a healthier lifestyle.

Prudential Insurance reports an expense of $312 per person enrolled in a wellness program compared to an expense of $574 per employee who was not enrolled. Coors Brewing Company reported participant absenteeism dropping by 18%.

So employee health is an important issue, in reducing costs, particularly for small business. We also assist in providing our USA Local Search Directory for over 10 million businesses, most of which are small businesses, at no cost to those businesses.