National Business Group on Health Awards Gold to Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota for Promoting a Healthy...( EAGAN Minn. May 14 /- Blue Cross ...),Health

EAGAN, Minn., May 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota (Blue Cross) was one of only 52 companies nationally to be recognized by the National Business Group on Health on May 12 for its efforts to promote and improve a healthier working environment as part of the Best Employers for Healthy Lifestyles awards. Blue Cross was the only health plan in Minnesota to receive the award.

The National Business Group on Health, a national nonprofit, honored and rewarded employers that offer programs to improve their worker's health, productivity and quality of life. Blue Cross was recognized in the gold category for creating cultural and environmental changes that support employees who have made a commitment to long-term behavior changes. The other Minnesota health care companies to be recognized in the gold category were General Mills and Mayo Clinic.

"At Blue Cross, we are committed to helping our employees live life well and enjoy active, healthy lifestyles," Roger Kleppe, senior vice president, human resources and facilities, said. "It's a win-win situation. Our employees feel better if they are in the best possible health and Blue Cross wins as it seeks to reduce long-term costs for chronic illnesses and to reduce productivity losses associated with preventable absenteeism and disability."

Case in point: Blue Cross offers a rebate to employees who join at-work Weight Watchers and attend 90 percent of the on-site meetings. The money for the program was well spent -- in 2007 alone, employees enrolled in the program lost a total of 1,000 pounds.

In addition, Blue Cross also offers on-site fitness centers with fitness classes, running clubs, and brown bag lunches covering a variety of health and wellness topics. Employees also have access to programs such as discounts for working out at fitness centers and worksite wellness programs. Blue Cross' "Know Your Numbers" program helps employees understand four key measures of go
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