Employer Offers Wellness Incentives
In order for health-care reform to be successful, it needs to address the unhealthy habits of many Americans, says Mark Kilmer, who has offered a variety of wellness incentives to his employees.
Kilmer, president of Republic Electric Co. in Davenport, also serves on the Genesis Health System board.
In recent years, he’s tried to be creative when motivating his staff at the 93-year-old company to stay fit.
He notes that many cancers and other health problems are brought on by obesity and smoking, things that can be controlled.
“We really do need to change behaviors,” Kilmer said. “We’re killing ourselves, so to speak.”
A few years ago, Kilmer started a program for his employees, which offered incentives to work out and stay both physically and mentally active.
Kilmer said the company has encouraged employees to use health savings accounts, which are not subject to federal income tax and can accumulate if not spent.
They also started a wellness program in 2006 that took what Kilmer describes as a “holistic” approach.
“The more they use it, the more that is subsidized,” he said.
Employees can get more of their gym costs covered, depending on how many times they visit the gym each month. The YMCA provides Kilmer with a monthly report.
“You don’t just have the membership, you’ve got to use it,” Kilmer said, noting they do not define what type of workout someone should have or how challenging it must be.
Employees willing to participate were also put in teams for a group weight-loss challenge, Kilmer said. By using teams, the amount each employee lost was not disclosed to everyone.
Employees also can earn various incentives by reading books and logging community service hours, Kilmer added.
During the next wellness push in 2008, the business partnered with Greatest Grains in Davenport, which provided cooking classes and information on diet changes for employees, Kilmer said.
“Some of that wellness stuff has really caught on,” he said. “It builds camaraderie by doing it in groups.”
Republic Electric Co. employs 65 people. The company at 737 Charlotte St. sells electronic materials and supplies.
Kilmer said he has been active his whole life and has been a member of the YMCA since he was a kid. He works out seven to 10 hours a week.
While health-care reform should insure that everyone has access to health care, Kilmer hopes it’s not too narrowly focused on insurance reform.
“We need to get the health system more engaged in getting people healthy,” he said. “We need to move toward a wellness model.”
