Wellness programs provided by employers and insurance companies offer discounts to health clubs.
Wellness programs are designed to help people change their unhealthy lifestyles and create individualized programs based on each person's needs. These programs deal with issues like weight loss, stress management, smoking cessation, disease prevention and mental health. Your program may focus on one or more health issues. Wellness programs provide a roadmap to good health and offers support from others with the same struggles. Participating in a wellness program reduces your chance of getting preventable chronic illnesses, thus reducing your medical bills. Healthcare services and employers cover wellness programs and you don't have to pay-out-of-pocket expenses.
Instructions
1. Talk to your employer about starting a wellness program. Numerous companies offer free programs for their employees at little or no cost. Company programs vary according its size and insurance coverage. They include incentives such as weight loss programs, discount membership to local gyms, on-site exercise equipment, personals wellness coaches, mental health programs and smoking cessation. They may host health fairs with free health checkups or invite health professionals to give workshops and seminars. Employees may participate in weight loss challenges in which employers offer prizes. Numerous companies extend these benefits to spouses and children. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation website, companies that offer wellness programs improve the overall health of their employees and lower health costs.
2. Get insurance that offers wellness programs. Several insurance companies, such as Blue Cross and Aetna, now offer wellness programs to their policyholders. Programs include education programs that help you make better dietary and lifestyle choices. The insurance company may provide specialized emails and suggestions for managing health conditions like asthma and diabetes. Select insurance companies now offer discounts to members who join a health club, lose weight or reduce blood pressure and blood sugar. You have to talk to your insurance provide because not all policyholders qualify for health programs.
3. Join a health club. Select a health club that offers health and wellness programs, adding them to their membership fees. They work with local hospitals and physicians and host wellness workshops and fairs at the gym that give free health screenings. Health clubs with wellness programs offer classes specifically designed for members with diabetes, high blood pressure and physical disabilities, as well as classes for elderly members. Several health clubs have prenatal and postnatal classes. In addition to exercise classes and workshops, they have on-staff mental and behavioral specialists, nutritionists and life coaches. Full-service facilities even have massage therapists, spa treatments and on-site child care.
