February 3, 2005
Rhodes: Push employees to be healthier
The president of a Fort Lauderdale-based health benefits consulting firm has said the Michigan health care company that recently fired 20 employees for refusing to stop their smoking habit represents a growing trend.

"Typically, 20 percent of the people create 80 percent of the health care costs," said Lloyd Rhodes of The Rhodes Insurance Group. "Rising health care costs are daunting for both employers and employees. It only makes sense that drastic steps be taken."

Rhodes, whose firm specializes in working with employers to find more cost-efficient employee health care programs, said he recommends plans that offer assertive and effective disease management. These types of benefits range from healthy eating and exercise programs to help in monitoring medication.

"Having healthier employees is going to take the biggest bite out of health care costs," Rhodes said.

The firm cited research from nonprofit think tank RAND Corp. showing smokers, for example, generate medical service costs 21 percent higher and drug costs 30 percent higher than non-smoking patients.

"It's more important for employers to look for quality disease management and wellness programs, rather than just the number of doctors in a plan," Rhodes said.

Businesses aren't the only entities that can work to save money on health care costs, though.

Among Rhodes Insurance clients are the cities of Fort Lauderdale, Lauderhill, Miramar and Aventura. Other clients are educational institutions Broward Community College, Miami Dade College and Nova Southeastern University.
© 2005 American City Business Journals Inc.