CHICAGO (AP) - Chicago's inspector general says the city needs to take a close look at whether its employee wellness program is worthwhile. Inspector General Joseph Ferguson issued an advisory Tuesday about the city's contract with American Healthways Services.
Ferguson says the city spends more than $3 million annually on the wellness program for its workers, but does not track its performance in a meaningful way. He says the city can't afford to invest in programs that have no measurable impact.
In response, Chicago officials say they will continue to monitor the program as they have in the past. They note wellness programs can result in gradual, rather than immediate improvements in employee health. Measuring savings would be complex because of benefit design changes and health care costs.
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