HERO
and Mercer
announced today the availability of the next generation of the HERO
Employee Health Management Best Practices Scorecard in Collaboration
with Mercer© (Version 4.0). The HERO Scorecard, which is
available free of charge, allows employers to evaluate their employee
health management efforts and to benchmark their program and outcomes
against companies of similar sizes and industries.
According to HERO, the Scorecard survey has been enhanced to reflect the
evolution of health management programs and new research on what drives
optimal outcomes, as well as to improve consistency, accuracy and
clarity of the tool by updating the user interface and wording of the
survey questions.
“Over the last five years, the wellness industry and our health care
system have changed significantly, as has our knowledge base. We can no
longer judge wellness programs by the same standards we once did and
what was once considered a best practice may no longer meet that
standard,” said Jerry Noyce, president and CEO of HERO. “The
significantly enhanced Scorecard reflects this, from the structure of
the tool to the updated scoring system.”
For example, research
has shown that financial incentives, while effective in encouraging the
completion of simple activities are less effective in driving long-term
behavior change. There is also greater understanding in the industry
about the importance of leadership and organizational support for
health. This has been reflected in how programs are scored in the new
Scorecard. In addition, new best practices have been added to the
Scorecard; for example, the use of new technologies such as mobile apps,
social media, and wearable devices.
Since its launch in 2009, more than 1,200 employers completed the
previous Scorecard Version 3.0, giving HERO and Mercer the ability to
monitor broader employer wellness trends. As a result, HERO has
published 18 commentaries analyzing data collected through the
Scorecard. Findings have included:
-
Allowing spouses to participate in key elements of wellness programs
improves participation and outcomes,
-
Small employers with high-performing programs can produce results that
are comparable to those of large employers,
-
Biometric screenings to alert employees to possible health risks and
personal coaching are two of the fastest-growing elements in health
management programs, and
-
Employers using financial incentives report significantly higher
participation in these programs than those not offering incentives.
“The HERO Scorecard has become an invaluable program assessment tool for
employers and wellness providers, alike, and the magnitude of the
database has given us the ability to test the relationships between
specific best practices and outcomes,” said Steven Noeldner, PhD, Mercer
partner and chair of the HERO Research Study Subcommittee. “In addition,
recent research showed a correlation between companies with high
Scorecard values and health care cost savings.”
To learn more about the HERO Scorecard, visit http://www.the-hero.org/scorecard_folder/scorecard.htm.
Note for editors
The HERO Employee Health Management Best Practice Scorecard in
Collaboration with Mercer© is available to organizations on a
complimentary basis and may be accessed through www.the-hero.org,
www.mercer.com
or a Scorecard Partner organization. The survey must be completed
online, but a PDF version is available that can be used as a teaching
tool or to prepare for completing the online version. After an
organization’s information and data have been submitted to the online
HERO Scorecard, they will receive a free report that compares the score
of their program with the aggregate score of all respondents.
About HERO – Based in Edina, Minn., the Health Enhancement
Research Organization (HERO) is a non-profit corporation dedicated to
the creation and dissemination of employee health management research,
education, policy, strategy, and leadership. HERO was established in
1996 as a not-for-profit, 501(c)3 corporation to create high quality
employee health management (EHM) research, especially that dealing with
the impact of modifiable health risks on health care costs. To learn
more, visit www.the-hero.org.
Follow us on Twitter,
Facebook
or LinkedIn.
About Mercer
Mercer is a global leader in talent, health, retirement and investments.
Mercer helps clients around the world advance the health, wealth and
performance of their most vital asset – their people. Mercer’s 20,000
employees are based in more than 43 countries and the firm operates in
over 130 countries. Mercer is a wholly owned subsidiary of Marsh
& McLennan Companies (NYSE:MMC), a global team of professional
services companies offering clients advice and solutions in the areas of
risk, strategy and human capital. With 55,000 employees worldwide and
annual revenue exceeding $12 billion, Marsh & McLennan Companies is also
the parent company of Marsh,
a global leader in insurance broking and risk management; Guy
Carpenter, a global leader in providing risk and reinsurance
intermediary services; and Oliver
Wyman, a global leader in management consulting. For more
information, visit www.mercer.com.
Follow Mercer on Twitter @MercerInsights.
Copyright Business Wire 2014