To cut insurance costs, companies help workers get healthy

By Kelly Kennedy, USA TODAY Updated 9/29/2011 7:07 AM

WASHINGTON – Companies nationwide are looking to trim their health insurance costs by combating chronic diseases — such as diabetes, obesity and depression — in their employees, corporate and government officials say.

The need for such steps was amplified again Tuesday as a new survey from the Kaiser Family Foundation showed that health insurance premiums for families of four increased 9% this year.

"Just in the past six months to a year, we've seen a much bigger push toward addressing health issues," said Joe Miller, managing director of CHC Wellness, which helps companies assess the health needs of their employees. "What we're doing now is not working."

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