As an employer, type 2 diabetes impacts more than just employees who are either at risk or live with the chronic condition. According to the Society for Human Resource Management, type 2 diabetes costs U.S. employers more than $20 billion a year from unplanned time off from work alone. Add in the impact that additional claims have on group health insurance premiums and the effects of diabetes can ramp up your group health costs.
Healthier employees make for a happier, more productive workforce, which is why more businesses are investing in diabetes management programs. Keep reading to learn how these programs work and why they can mutually benefit both employers and employees.
What Is A Diabetes Management Program?
A diabetes management program provides individuals with the information, skills, and resources they need to manage type 2 diabetes, prediabetes, or other related conditions. These programs are designed to assist those dealing with diabetes, blood pressure, and other health issues.
Diabetes management programs can assist employees in a variety of ways. While some programs are tied to a certain period of time, others provide ongoing assistance to help individuals develop a healthier lifestyle and make meaningful changes in their lives. Each plan can differ, but a comprehensive diabetes management program can include the following elements.
Health coaching
Access to these types of programs means that employees have certified diabetes educators that they can turn to for help. Diabetes management coaches are clinically-trained health professionals who offer feedback and encouragement at every step. These coaches are regularly available through an online live chat, giving employees the help they need to prevent and manage their condition.
Personalized diabetes management education
In addition to professional assistance, programs also give employees the tools to learn more about diabetes care on their own time. People can go on their computer or a mobile app to access learning tools such as special articles, quizzes, and infographics. They can also use these online communities for healthy food recipes, special workouts, and other resources for ongoing diabetes care.
Online tracking and monitoring tools
Diabetes management programs make it easy for employees to set goals and track their own personalized health programs. Users can work with coaches to identify specific targets, whether they want to lose weight, lower blood pressure, or maintain certain blood sugar levels recommended for diabetes prevention. All this information is tracked online, meaning employees can follow their progress on their phones and set up reminders for their custom health care plan.
Health forecasting and insights
It’s not always easy to manage your diabetes, especially when navigating sudden dips in glucose levels and other challenges. Modern technology allows diabetes management programs to provide predictive insights for glucose and blood pressure. Employees with diabetes can simply use blood sugar readings to estimate future glucose levels and be proactive about their health.
What Are The Benefits Of Offering A Diabetes Management Program?
While employees can certainly feel the benefits of a diabetes management program, there are plenty of advantages for businesses as well.
Healthier, more productive employees
Simply put, healthier employees are more productive employees. According to the Centers for Disease Control, U.S. businesses lose a total of $26.9 billion each year just from reduced workplace productivity caused by diabetes. Taking measures to improve employees’ health can help employees feel better on the job, ultimately improving their focus and productivity.
Reduced absenteeism
Health issues can lead to a lot of lost work days. SHRM found that full-time employees with diabetes missed an extra 5.5 work days each year, while part-time workers missed 4.3 extra days on average. Utilizing a diabetes program can help address the health issues that lead to that additional absenteeism.
Morale
Offering employees a diabetes management program does more than just help them with their health. It also shows that employers care about their well-being. According to Zippia, 80% of employees say they enjoy their work when their employers take an active role in their wellness. In addition, 85% of those workers say they intend to stay at their jobs.
Embrace Diabetic Management At Your Business
Nearly 10% of Americans have type 2 diabetes, and more than a third are at high risk of developing this chronic condition. Odds are, your business is being impacted by the effects of diabetes, whether your employees know they have diabetes or not.
That’s why GMS helps businesses address their employees’ health through quality benefits such as diabetes management programs. We’ve partnered with One Drop to give employers access to all the tools and professional support needed to help their workers live healthier lives. Contact GMS today to learn more about our diabetes management program and other benefits administration outsourcing services.