Persuasive Organizational Message Flowing Downward: Reducing Your Health Insurance Costs
As part of the management team at Bank of Westfield, you want to help your employees improve their health and reduce their health costs at the same time. Because the Bank of Westfield is a small company, its risk is greater than those of larger firms. Individuals with health problems have always paid more for health insurance. However, federal law requires that all employees who are covered by employer insur- ance programs must pay the same premium. That means that those with poor health cannot be charged more for insurance than those with good health. Recent legislation now allows some exceptions if employers offer wellness programs.
Working with its insurance carrier, the Bank of Westfield developed a plan that would enable employees to reduce their deductible $500 for each health benchmark the employee reached. For example, a non-smoker receives a $500 deduction in the overall deductible of $2,500. Other benchmark categories are cholesterol, body mass index, and blood pressure. If the Bank of Westfield can persuade employees to meet benchmarks in these areas, employees can reduce their deductibles by $500 for each benchmark. This should help quiet the grumbling that resulted last year when the insurance deductible jumped from $500 to $2,500.
All of the benchmarks are explained in the "Road to Health" brochure provided by the insurance carrier. To get employees started, the Bank of Westfield wants them to fill out an application (before January 15) to see a fitness counselor who will develop a customized fitness plan for each employee who signs up. The company will provide litera- ture, fitness programs, and counseling to help employees meet their benchmarks.
Your Task. As Melissa Mendoza, Human Resources, prepare a persuasive action request memo to send to Bank of Westfield staff members. Promote both direct and indirect benefits. Anticipate obstacles and address them. Close with an action request. Your message should tell exactly what you want the receiver to do and provide an extension number for anyone who has questions. Send a memo rather than an
e-mail because you want to enclose the "Road to Health" brochure and application.