Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana has been named the winner of the 2007 Well Workplace Award for large Louisiana employers by the Louisiana Health Care Alliance (LHCA) in recognition of Blue Cross’ Healthy You, Healthy Blue employee wellness program.
The award was presented at the LHCA’s Annual Meeting and Fall Conference. Each year, the LHCA recognizes employers that champion the health of their employees, work to create a culture of physical activity in the workplace and inspire change by looking beyond the criteria to new and innovative ways to inspire health.
Created in 2006, Blue Cross’ Healthy You, Healthy Blue employee wellness initiative is a free, self-paced program that offers employees information, tools and incentives for making healthy lifestyle choices. Program offerings include a printed wellness guide and activity log, an annual employee health fair, educational classes, seminars, wellness events throughout the year, and individualized fitness profiles and action plans. Participating employees can earn points toward quarterly prizes and even cash awards each year.
“Our goal is for all of our employees to get excited about the program, to set and achieve their personal wellness goals and ultimately improve their health and well-being,” said Eileen Wilcox, Blue Cross director of human resources.
So far, more than half of Blue Cross’ 1,600 employees are losing pounds, reducing high blood pressure and lowering cholesterol. As of September, employees participating in the company’s 2 Ton Challenge had lost a collective 1,625 pounds since Jan. 1.
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana is Louisiana-owned and -operated. Marking its 73rd anniversary this year, the company is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. It is a tax-paying mutual company, owned by its policyholders. Headquartered in Baton Rouge, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana also has district offices in Alexandria, Houma, Lafayette, Lake Charles, Monroe, New Orleans and Shreveport. The company’s subsidiaries include HMO Louisiana, Inc. and Southern National Life Insurance Company, Inc.
