Featured Company – Wellmark
Wellmark
1331 Grand Avenue
Des Moines, IA 50309
www.wellmark.com
Year the company was established:
In 1939, Hospital Service Incorporated of Iowa, later known as Blue Cross of Iowa, began business in Des Moines. That same year, Associated Hospital Services Incorporated, later known as Blue Cross of Western Iowa and South Dakota, begins in Sioux City, Iowa. In 1997, the Wellmark brand was adopted, using the trade names Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Iowa and Wellmark Blue Cross and Blue Shield of South Dakota.
Company Mission statement:
Our Mission: Provide a broad array of high quality, accessible, affordable, and cost competitive health insurance products and services
Our Philosophy: Wellmark is dedicated to improving the health of our communities. We believe that, by adhering to the principles included in the Consumer Bill of Rights and the Wellmark Managed Health Philosophy, the health of the public can be measurably improved. The Wellmark Managed Health Philosophy applies to each and every product that Wellmark offers.
Our Vision: Continuously improving the health of our members and the communities we serve. We envision a future in which every generation experiences greater quality of health and improved quality of life.
Describe your main business:
Health Insurance
Total number of employees:
Approximately 1,884 employees in Des Moines, Rapid City, Sioux City, Sioux Falls, and Cedar Rapids
Briefly describe your wellness program:
We believe to improve the health our communities, we need to start with our own employees which is why we have adopted the motto “It Starts with Us”. As a company, it is crucial we work to provide quality support programs, incentives, and an environment that encourages our employees to improve their own health and the health of their families. Annual health screenings are only our starting point in our Pathways to Wellness Program. Employees now have the opportunity to improve their health continuously throughout the year by participating in educational and wellness programming which encourage healthy eating habits, physical activity, and emotional health management.
Approximately when did you begin a wellness program at your company:
We have always encouraged healthy behaviors in our employees but in the 1990’s we realized we needed to be more proactive. We began offering educational health forums and incentives for weight loss and smoking cessation. As our wellness program evolved, we incorporated annual health screenings and employees were rewarded for achieving desired results. In 2010, employees were rewarded for participating in educational and wellness programming provided throughout the year.
What has been your greatest challenge in wellness within your company:
Our greatest challenge is ensuring we provide diverse and inclusive programming so all employees can participate and improve or maintain their optimal health. With tremendous support from our Senior Leadership Team, we have a great start to this challenge and are continuously working to encourage and develop healthy behaviors not only through educational and wellness programming but also through the environment our employees work in.
What goals do you have for 2011 for company wellness:
In 2011, we focused our goals around three main areas: Obesity, Diabetes, and Emotional Health. We are striving to decrease the rate of employees struggling with obesity, diabetes, and moderate to severe emotional health.
What is one idea/lesson that you have learned about wellness within your own company that you would like to share with other people:
We have found peer to peer interactions are a powerful ally to change. Sharing stories of triumph, progress, and struggles among employees injects a sense of accountability and reliance on another. This also allows employees to expand their network not only professionally but also personally, laying down a solid support system which is crucial for success in changing behaviors.