Commitment to wellness helps employees improve their health

Published: July 16, 2018 | Updated: June 12, 2019

Norton Healthcare was named 2018 Healthiest Employer of Louisville by Business First on Thursday, July 12, winning the top award in the category for large organizations with 5,000 or more employees.

Organizations were judged on their commitment to wellness demonstrated by their culture, leadership, programming, planning, marketing, metrics and outcomes. Norton Healthcare scored 94.72 out of a possible 100 points on the Healthiest Employer Index. The average for Louisville-area employers was 60.4, and the national average was 58.7.

“Norton Healthcare walks the talk. As a health care employer, it’s vital that we give our employees every opportunity to care for their own health,” said Russell F. Cox, president and chief executive officer, Norton Healthcare. “We offer incentives to employees to participate in activities that improve their emotional and physical health, including classes, screenings, annual physicals, fitness challenges and wellness programs. We make a significant investment in wellness through our N Good Health program, and it’s paying off.”

Currently, 80 percent of eligible employees participate in N Good Health, Norton Healthcare’s employee wellness program. Participants who maintain certain “healthy actions” receive wellness credits in the form of cash that is used each pay period to offset the cost of health insurance premiums. Overall, N Good Health participants make better use of health care dollars, have fewer gaps in care, stay in-network for care and are more engaged in their health.

In addition, employees participating in free and reduced-cost programs offered by N Good Health, such as medical weight management, YMCA Diabetes Prevention Program and Weight Watchers, lost an average of 14 pounds, had a 2.5 percent decrease in body mass index and a 3.4-inch decrease in waist size.

Employees also have access to discounted gym memberships, activity trackers, home delivery of healthy foods and wellness coaching.

“When we as an organization are healthier, we are better equipped to care for our patients and families,” Cox said. “That’s a win-win for everyone.”

Companies who are winners and finalists of the Healthiest Employers program advance to the Healthiest 100 Workplaces in America competition conducted by Healthiest Employers. In 2017, Norton Healthcare ranked sixth on this list, the same year it was a Business First Healthiest Employers finalist. This year, Norton Healthcare also was named one of the Best Employers in America by Forbes.