Association Between Weight Reduction and Employees’ Healthcare Cost

Abstract

Objective The aim of the study is to assess the impact of ≥15% body mass index (BMI) reduction on employees’ health expenditures. Methods We retrospectively analyzed health risk assessment surveys combined with insurance claims from January 2014 to December 2019. We compared costs of employees with baseline BMI > 30 who reported ≥15% BMI reduction in subsequent health risk assessment reports with employees who lost ≤5% BMI within the same period, matching the two cohorts on demographics and costs. Results The study cohort of 197 lost an average of 23% of their BMI from baseline. The average age was 44 years with majority females (approximately 80%). Group health insurance payments were similar at baseline; at year 1, the study cohort had a 33% payment reduction compared with 10% reduction in the control group. Conclusions A ≥15% BMI reduction was associated with a substantial medical cost savings.