Incorporating Genetic Testing in Wellness Programs may lower Employers Healthcare Costs by 20%

August 2, 2018
Posted by: Mark Mulray
Categories: Blog, corporate wellness, Innovation, Uncategorized, well-being

Post 1 of HealthWell Solutions Blog Series: Genetic Testing for Corporate Wellness

The Important Difference Between Home Delivered Kits and Genetic Counseling in Corporate Wellness

So far in 2018, 12,275,000 people received genetic testing by means of consumer-based home delivered kits, 7,000,000 out of the total were tested by Ancestry.com only. Using consumer-based kits does not allow the consumer to access the full potential of the genetic test. The consumer does receive genetic predisposition information with a delivered kit, although genetic counseling that will give an action plan to help prevent these disorders from surfacing is generally not included. Therefor, no preventive measures will be taken after a consumer-based home genetic test.

During a corporate biometric screening, a voluntary meeting with a genetic counselor will be arranged to discuss the results and set up the action plan that will prevent diseases and conditions such as various heart diseases from surfacing. In other words, although we should all exercise and eat mindfully, knowing you have a predisposition for heart disease will spark motivation and add a sense of accountability.

This is mutually beneficial to the health of the employee and for the efficiency of the company.

The History of Genetic Testing

Genetic testing: Corporate Wellness Programs

Genetic testing for wellbeing has been proven to decrease health care costs and improve the wellbeing of the employee. For example, Aeta implemented a year-long genetic testing program specific to disease prevention and weight management for employees, the findings include:

three quarters of the more than 400 people in the program reported significant weight loss, with an average weight loss of 10 pounds.
People in the program improved in several of the risk factors associated with metabolic syndrome, including waist size, triglycerides and “good” cholesterol (HDL) levels.
Average health care costs were reduced $122 per program participant per month. Saving the company 20% annually on health care costs.