Heathly Directions
Your employees are your most valuable asset . . . and the most expensive. Much of your employee costs, both direct (medical claims) and indirect (absentee lowered productivity, as an example), are often due to preventable factors. Lifestyle choices are responsible for 75 percent of the entire burden of illness and its associated costs in the United States.
Healthy Directions is a worksite health promotion and disease prevention program designed by the North Idaho Health Network to improve employee health, avoid preventable health risk, decrease absenteeism, improve productivity and reduce health care costs through a comprehensive system of identification, intervention, motivation and measurement.
Your worksite is unique
Because no two companies are the same, we custom design a health promotion program to meet your company’s needs through a combination of identification and intervention strategies:
Personal Wellness Profile (PWP)
The Personal Wellness Profile (PWP) is a comprehensive health status questionnaire that identifies preventable health risks and provides you with valuable information that can help you manage your well-being. The focus is on acting early to prevent disease, reduce risks, and enhance health.
Anytime personal information is gathered confidentiality is of the utmost importance. The North Idaho Health Network (NIHN) administers the PWP as an entity separate from the employer and insurance companies and is bound by law to fully comply with all regulations regarding personal health information.
Upon completion of the PWP, a confidential personal report is immediately generated that provides guidance in health behavior improvement. The employer receives an aggregate report that offers a composite picture of the health risks of the company and provides guidance for program planning and risk intervention. In addition, a one-page physician summary can be sent to the participant's primary care physician, if requested.
Want to implement the Personal Wellness Profile in your company? Please contact the North Idaho Health Network (208) 666-3212 or admin@nihn.net.
Health Screening
Worksite health screenings can raise awareness and provide an opportunity for education and motivation. Screenings are best done in conjunction with the Personal Wellness Profile (PWP) so that screening results can be entered and tracked in the PWP corporate report. There are a wide range of screening options. Lipid profiles, lung function testing and work fitness assessments are just a few.
Health Coaching
Individuals at risk are invited to participate in the Health Coaching Program, which provides one-on-one support for health risk reduction.
Employee Assistance Program
An Employee Assistance Program (EAP) allows employees to access a pre-determined number of company subsidized mental health visits per year, selecting from a panel of credentialed mental health providers.
Each year one out of every five Americans suffers from some form of emotional or mental condition. Depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and stress-related conditions, just to name a few, touch nearly every family. And although these conditions can feel devastating, the good news is they are very treatable with professional help.
When an employee or a family member needs help, where do they turn? An Employee Assistance Program (EAP) offers help to employees and family members who are in need of assistance. EAP offers counseling services for a wide range of needs. The employer determines how many visits are allowed per year and whether EAP is extended to family members.
It is important to assure strict confidentiality in providing for employees’ EAP needs. That is why companies contract with the North Idaho Health Network to administer the EAP. The North Idaho Health Network assures the quality of EAP providers through a credentialing process. It contracts with these providers to deliver EAP services to area employers. This arrangement assures confidentiality.
An EAP Can Benefit Your Bottom Line
An EAP helps identify and resolve employee concerns early, resulting in:
- Reduced Turnover
- Increased Productivity And Employee Satisfaction
- Decreased Absenteeism/Sick Leave
- Increased Management Effectiveness
- Reduced Risk of Litigation
- Easy Access
To learn more about the EAP services provided through the North Idaho Health Network, call (208) 666-3212 or (800) 562-9608, ext. 3212. You may also see the list of providers at www.NIHN.net.
EAP Can Help
The Employee Assistance Program can help employees who are experiencing any of these, or other, concerns. 
- Alcohol and other substance-related disorders
- Critical incident stress
- Workplace violence
- Harassment & discrimination in the workplace
- Partner or sibling relationship problems
- Domestic violence
- Depression & mood disorders
- Anxiety disorders, I.e., panic disorder, agoraphobia, social phobia, post-traumatic stress disorder, acute stress disorder.
Early Detection Services
Compliance with recommendations for clinical preventive services can increase early detection of disease, which can result in reduced health risks and decreased medical costs. This program encourages individuals to receive early detection services as appropriate for age and gender
The Right Steps…
This activity challenge can inspire and motivate individuals to a healthier, more active lifestyle. An annual drawing for a vacation package provides motivation as do the intermediate rewards offered at shorter intervals. Activity can be tracked using a pedometer or by miles or minutes of activity. Additional chances to win are earned when step goals are met. An online payment and logging system makes registering and recording easy.
WellNotes
WellNotes is a monthly wellness newsletter in email format that provides current health headlines, health tips and recommendations for living a healthy lifestyle. In addition, a monthly Wellness Challenge is included, which provides a different health focus each month with the opportunity to learn and practice this good health habit for 30 days.
Reward Program
A structure that supports and reinforces corporate cultural change to wellness is a necessary substrate upon which to build all health promotion efforts. A cycle of reinforcement and reward provides this structure. Components include criteria based on health risks identified on the PWP corporate report, a cycle of reinforcement and reward, and incentives for motivation.
Education Sessions
Educational opportunities are designed to address identified health risks plus employee interest. These sessions help raise awareness and motivate individuals to make lifestyle change. Various topics and formats are available.
North Idaho Health Network will develop, implement and administer Healthy Directions for your company. Call (208) 666-3212 to start your company moving in Healthy Directions.
