During a recent gathering of corporate HR professionals, the question was asked: “Do comprehensive worksite health promotion programs really save money?” Actually, in a world where all employers are experiencing runaway increases in medical costs, that is a very frequently asked question. This primary query is answered by the dramatic success of two dozen health promotion programs, conducted by major U.S. companies, and documented in studies over the past ten years. These studies offer compelling evidence that worksite health promotion programs do affect the corporate bottom line – in a very positive way.

The benefits inferred from the data and directly cited in the studies include:

* Reduced periods of disability

* Lower absenteeism

* A drop in health care costs

* Improved overall employee health care practices, and

* Increased productivity

As a matter of fact, every “comprehensive” corporate health promotion program evaluated in the past ten years has unequivocally demonstrated health benefits for the employees and cost benefits for the sponsoring company. The degree of benefit, of course, varies from company to company and program to program, but there are several case studies that underscore the successes of corporate health promotion.

Of two dozen case studies, one of the most dramatic examples that managed care is both health and cost effective is Southwestern Bell’s “Customcare” program.

“Customcare,” with a strong, built-in element of disease prevention and health promotion, has produced striking results over a five year period. Claims costs from 1995 through 2005 showed a reduction in “Lifestyle” related diseases and a corresponding reduction in medical costs for over 230,000 Southwestern Bell employees, dependents, and retirees. In fact, during the last two years of the program, medical costs rose less than half the corporate national average.

In other documented studies, Globalcom reported improved employee lifestyle and an estimated annual savings of $3.7 million, Control Data stated that reduced medical claims and absenteeism saved the company $1.8 million, and Coors accorded a six year employee coronary rehab program with shorter post-coronary convalescence time and a total of $1,390,661 in wage savings.

One other major study cited is the health promotion program sponsored by Johnson & Johnson under the title, “Live for Life.” Five different studies of various components of this comprehensive health promotion showed improved productivity and less sick days taken by workers. In conclusion a well thought out and developed health promotion programs can indeed improve wellness and lower the overall burden of medical insurance costs

Health care and health insurance are important aspects of your life here and require careful thought and planning. The cost of health facilities is extremely high all over the globe. If you are in your home country you can calculate and spend on health problems because you will know the cost. But what if you are in some foreign country where you will have no one to provide you information regarding health related costs and problems? This is where you will need an international health and medical insurance. International health and medical insurance is a perfect insurance policy to buy before you step out of your own homeland to some other country.

Now you may articulate that your normal health insurance will provide you with international health insurance. But it is really important for you to keep in mind that your regular insurance may not cover international travel. In most cases, your existing insurance will not provide adequate protection for personal emergencies, accidents, injury and illness. At the same time you may not be eligible for participation in the government-sponsored plans where you are planning to go. In this case, your monetary condition will be jeopardized if you do not procure an international health and medical insurance.

This is even applicable with you family members. It is your primary responsibility to ensure the good health of your family members and especially when they are in some distant land. Almost all medical insurance companies provide international health and medical insurances for individuals, families and groups. There are some insurance companies that provide affordable international medical insurance to missionaries who go to distant and far away lands to serve people and spread the messages of God.

International Health and medical insurances comes in short term health insurance and long term health insurance. Short term benefits can be made available for a short term stay of say 2 weeks, or 2 months. But if plan to go to other countries for a longer period say for one year or more then you should definitely go for long term or annual internal health and medical insurance.

By and large the following is covered under international health and medical insurance:

Inpatient & Outpatient Medical

Prescription Drugs

Emergency Dental

Emergency Medical Evacuation

Emergency Reunion

Trip Interruption

Accidental Death.

Before undertaking any insurance policy it is very vital to do a detailed investigation of the various plans available in the market of UK. Now you don’t have to run from shop to shop to find the perfect plan. All you have to do is to go online and browse through the pages and information which are made available by various insurance companies.