October 2006

New Business

Focus on healthy habits to cut health care costs

10/1/2006 -

The rising cost of health care is a major concern to most businesses. As insurance premiums and the price tag for medical services increase every year, your company may want to pay more attention to your employees' fitness and eating habits.

Some companies are encouraging healthier eating by removing fatty, sugary snacks from vending machines and cafeterias and offering healthier, lower-calorie choices instead. One company subsidizes healthier lunches for its employees, but does not provide the subsidies for unhealthy meal choices.

Offering incentives for employees to exercise is another way some companies are trying to combat high health care costs. Even small businesses are finding inexpensive ways to encourage healthier behavior in their employees. Some examples: letting employees attend weight-loss meetings on company premises, paying all or part of fees charged for exercise activities, such as swimming or aerobics, providing on-site health screenings, such as blood pressure and cholesterol checks, and organizing company walks during lunch or organizing team sports, such as softball or bowling.

Before you invest in any business, it's always a good idea to discuss the proposed venture with your advisors. If you would like assistance with evaluating a business opportunity or with legitimate tax planning, please call our office.