Companies Spend Big to Save on Health Care Costs

Cathy Murphy, vice president of human resources for Blue Shield of California, strongly agreed. Under its new WellVolution program, the insurer offers its employees a day off just for completing an HRA and undergoing some basic biometric testing. Ms. Murphy said 52% of all company employees have now taken advantage of this.

All that paid leave cost the company $2 million last year. “It's a big commitment, but it is very important,” she said.