What is the goal of an employee wellness program?

• A. To avoid the need for a healthcare plan through wellness counseling on fitness and a health-oriented lifestyle
• B. Alternative and holistic education to avoid the costs of traditional Western medicine
• C. To improve employee health and productivity and reduce medical expenses for employer and employees
• D. Screen applicants for potential cost increases in health plans of those with preexisting conditions

Answer: (C)

Employee wellness programs are built to keep people healthy so they can work more effectively and cost less to care for. By encouraging activities like regular exercise, good nutrition, stress management, smoking cessation, preventive screenings, and access to wellness resources, these programs aim to reduce health risks and prevent illness before it leads to costly care. When health improves and risks decrease, employees miss work less and perform better, which lowers medical expenses for both the employer and the employees. That combination—better health, higher productivity, and reduced costs—is why this option is the best match. The other ideas miss the core purpose: wellness programs don’t aim to replace healthcare plans or depend on alternative medicine to dodge traditional care, and they aren’t about screening applicants for higher insurance costs based on preexisting conditions.