Employee Benefit News recently published a list of the 10 health conditions that are costing employers the most. They are:

  1. High-Risk Pregnancy
  2. Smoking
  3. High Cholesterol
  4. Depression/Mental Illness
  5. Hypertension/High Blood Pressure
  6. Heart Disease
  7. Arthritis/back/musculoskeletal
  8. Obesity
  9. Cancer
  10. Diabetes

Employee Benefit Advisors would like to point out that a least half the list is related to one’s weight. It prompts reposting the meat of EBA’s November 19th, 2014 blog.

The following was posted by one of my fellow CEBS (Certified Employee Benefit Specialist) colleagues. Employee Benefit Advisors has seen, time after time with our own clients, that weight loss is the number one factor to controlling health care costs.

“One of the most effective ways to ensure quality healthcare services is to not need it in the first place… All those overweight, please raise your hand. All those currently being treated for a preventable healthcare issue raise your hand.

My husband is 68 years old and was on high blood pressure, diabetes and cholesterol meds–pretty typical at this age. Oh, yes, and frequently had terrible heart burn. Lost 38 pounds and just had his annual physical. Doc took him off all his prescription meds and he no longer ever has heart burn. Go figure… How’d he do it? Cut way back on consumption of carbs/sugar. That’s it. Pretty simple. Nothing else…not even exercise. Now that he feels so good he has started to exercise on a regular basis.”

 

Employee Benefit Advisors provides employee benefits, tax-advantaged healthcare, compliance guidance for ACA and Health & Welfare DOL Audits, and PEO Advisory & Consulting Services.