More than half of American workers (51 percent) believe wellness benefits offered by their employer are successful at lowering health care costs, according to the latest Principal Financial Well-Being IndexSM. The findings show that two-thirds of workers (up from 60 percent a year ago) expect increased premiums this year and more than four in 10 workers (43 percent, up from 38 percent) expect to pay higher deductibles.

As Americans continue searching for ways to contain costs in a slowing economy - including health care costs - the vast majority of workers with access to employer-sponsored wellness benefits are using them. When offered, more than three-fourths of workers (79 percent, up from 74 percent) take advantage of educational tools and resources offered by their employer, while 77 percent (up from 59 percent) participate in both blood sugar and cholesterol screenings.

The index, which surveys American workers at growing businesses with 10-1,000 employees is released by the Principal Financial Group® and conducted by Harris Interactive®. These findings focusing specifically on wellness attitudes and behaviors among American workers were taken from the fourth quarter 2008 Index.

“Americans face strong financial head winds as we enter the new year against the backdrop of a slowing economy,” said Jerry Ripperger, national practice leader of consumer health for the Principal Financial Group. “Rising health care costs are fueling the fire at a time when many Americans are strapped for cash. Fortunately, it appears the majority of workers understand that adopting preventive health care measures not only improves overall health but can drive down costs in the long term.”

A Little Encouragement Goes a Long Way

Workers, including both those who did and did not have access to onsite activities, cited several factors that would encourage them to participate in a wellness program if offered by their employer. Better overall physical health and lower personal health care costs (53 percent and 38 percent, respectively) would most encourage them to participate. More than one-third of workers (38 percent) also said that receiving an incentive or reward would encourage them to partake in a wellness benefit program.

Despite the interest, however, many employers have been slow at making wellness benefits fully available to workers. For example, only 16 percent of workers indicated they have access to educational tools or resources at the work site, and just 13 percent receive fitness center discounts. Even fewer workers (11 percent) have access to on-site health screenings, educational wellness seminars and on-site fitness facilities.

“Improving Americans’ health and reducing health care benefits must be a team effort between workers and employers,” said Ripperger. “It’s a win-win for both involved - workers benefit from healthier lifestyles and lower costs, while employers see a 2-to-1 return on investment through higher productivity and lower absenteeism, among other factors.”

Cost Prevails When Choosing Health Plans

Nearly half of workers (42 percent) have more than one health plan option available through their employer. For the third straight year, monthly paycheck deduction ranked No. 1 in importance as 31 percent of workers (compared with 25 percent a year ago) said it motivates their decision on which plan they choose. Flexibility to choose doctors and facilities within the plan continued to decline in importance as 19 percent (down from 23 percent) ranked it as a motivating factor. Fourteen percent of workers (up from 11 percent) said physician office co-pay was also a motivating factor.