With rising healthcare costs and growing interest in wellness and options,
StayWell Health Management has become a compelling option for many companies.
The St. Paul-based firm specializes in providing programs that help to improve employee health. Although that sometimes takes the form of weight loss contests or blood pressure screening, StayWell goes far beyond those occasional events, says Lesley Lesch, the company's director of account management.
"We offer a full spectrum of health management services," she says. "What sets us apart is that we do research and use that to design very effective programs."
The company evaluates aspects of a client's overall health and wellness environment, including senior management buy-in, prevention delivery models, and follow-up programs, in order to gauge what approaches are needed. A major focus is keeping employees motivated, Lesch says, and that involves staying involved in wellness all year, not just at a one-time health fair.
"At this point, employers have seen these programs work," she says. "That's driving growth for us, and helping us to lead the industry."
StayWell has about 400 employees, but anticipates a surge of hiring in the year ahead, thanks to the success of its programs. The company will seek a range of professionals, from nurses and dieticians to health educators who can provide individual counseling to employees by phone.
"With healthcare reform and more use of incentives by employers, this is a really exciting time for us," Lesch notes.
Source: Lesley Lesch, StayWell Health Management
Writer: Elizabeth Millard