An employees’ wellness program begun a year ago already has benefitted the city, council members learned during a special Dec. 30 meeting.

Officials at Anthem, Batesville’s health insurance provider, wanted to increase its rate 7 percent. Clerk-treasurer Ron Weigel pointed out to them the city has a Health in Progress Plan and its claims history has dropped, so the rate will stay the same throughout 2009.

Member Gene Lambert told wellness coordinator Cindy Blessing, “We appreciate your excitement in leading this ... and what everyone is doing to curb our costs.”

This month she will invite city workers to take part in the Batesville Weight Loss Challenge. The person with the largest loss by percentage of total weight each week will win a prize. Blessing still is seeking a grand prize, such as a YMCA membership.

Upcoming issues employees will learn about include heart ailments, multiple sclerosis, glaucoma and donating blood.

Weigel called the program “a great success. In its first year, it has been a phenomenal program .... Margaret Mary Community Hospital has been a great partner in this.”

“Everybody has their demons” that stand in the way of fitness, whether it’s too many soft drinks or candy, being overweight or having diabetes, Blessing pointed out. In addition to lowering costs, she hopes the program results in “better performing workers and lower absenteeism.”

The wellness coordinator updated the council on how employees bettered their health in the past year.

On Nov. 11, 2007, they were given the chance to get their flu shots one hour earlier than the public. On Jan. 3, 2008, those who wanted to paid to compete in the Southeastern Indiana YMCA Community Transformation Challenge “at a drastically reduced price.”

MMCH dietitian Becky Hand spoke about diet and nutrition Jan. 16. Vern Moody, a recently retired employee, listened, then lost 35 pounds. The knowledge workers are acquiring “is really paying off,” Blessing believed.

MMCH exercise specialist Jeff Miller discussed the importance of being active March 11. “You know that what he's preaching to you, he's living it,” the coordinator observed.

“One of our best programs” happened May 28. Workers were urged to get fecal occult blood tests. Forty-three came back negative, but two were positive” for signs of colorectal cancer. “To me, that made the program worthwhile.” When illness is found early, “in the long run you save money” and there’s a better chance for survival. Kevin Mandrell of Anthem spoke about the cost of prescription drugs and the advantages of ordering them by mail.

When Katherine McElhoe, Hansen Center oncology manager, discussed skin care and overall cancer awareness Aug. 6, one employee had skin cancer at the time. "It kind of hit home." Protecting workers’ skin from the sun is vital because “a lot of our employees work outside.”

On Oct. 14, 62 employees and family members received free flu shots from two MMCH nurses.

“With the economy the way it is,” Heather Fink of the National Institute of Fitness & Sports, Indianapolis, spoke on stress management Dec. 3.

Employees in attendance were usually rewarded with Subway lunches, paid for by Anthem, not taxpayers. Those who couldn’t attend the presentations had opportunities to watch videos later.

So far the Health in Progress Plan has been funded by Belterra riverboat revenue-sharing dollars.

Mayor Rick Fledderman closed the meeting by reporting last week the city received property tax advance draws from Ripley and Franklin counties. He predicted, “2009 is going to be a challenging, interesting year for the city and all governmental units in Indiana. Quite honestly, we don't know what to expect" with new property tax caps, but he felt funding changes would be minor. “We're going to have to continue in 2009 to be extremely conservative in our management of the city.” Larger Hoosier communities, such as Muncie and Gary, "are really in hard times."

Debbie Blank can be contacted at 812-934-4343, Ext. 113; or debbie.blank@ batesvilleheraldtribune.com.