NNews March 2024

5 March 2024 GoMo Health® Program Helps Employers Support Staff and Increase Retention (continued from page 1) Impacts on Employers of Untreated SUD and Addressing these Healthcare Needs Drap continued from employees’ perspective, saying, “If you’re not happy at work, you’re probably seeking what makes you happy during work.” He related this to the impact on employers: “This results in decreased productivity and increased use of medical services and insurance plans, and those cost can rise significantly. If employers can get in front of these issues and become part of the solution, employees feel their voice is heard and more trust is built. Immediately and in the long term, you’ll have better retention, less turnover.” According to the National Safety Council (NSC), one of every 12 workers has undiagnosed and untreated SUD, and untreated addictions cost employers an average of $8,817 per year on each employee. An analysis by the NSC and NORC at the University of Chicago revealed that a company can savemore than $8,500 per employee per year by initiating SUD treatment for their staff. “Additionally, the analysis shows that workers in recovery miss 13.7 fewer days each year than workers with an untreated SUD, and 3.6 less days than an average employee. Workers who are actively in recovery help employers avoid $8,175 in turnover, replacement and healthcare costs,” as reported on the NORC website. Drap shared the story of a grocery company firing drivers because they were using performance-enhancing drugs in order to do their jobs. Food spoiled and was left in trucks for weeks and the supply chain was broken for quite some time. The company implemented an RPW type of programand rehired the drivers. “It was a win/ win,” Drap stated. He added that in one city in Illinois, use of RPW resulted in savings of millions of dollars by preventing emergency room visits. While the rate of substance use is not necessarily higher among clinicians compared to individuals in other occupations, “in general, healthcare providers are so involved in serving others, they’re not as focused on themselves,” Drap noted. There has been a greater focus on self-care and RPW is an additional tool that benefits both workers and their employers —and, ultimately, the individuals they serve by strengthening the workforce and increasing continuity of care. “Unfortunately, in the workplace, many are reluctant to seek help and many employers don’t know what to do. This ismore true with people in the know,” according to Gary Pollack, GoMoHealth’s Senior Vice President. “It is important to always show your support and encouragement for your staff, and RPW is a great tool that shows you care for them and their families,” he stressed. “As experts in engagement, GoMo Health deploys dozens of digital therapeutics, helping millions of people in all areas of health care, behavioral health and addictions. Whether in courts, in school and or in people’s treatment lives, GoMo Health has a proven solution that helps patients, saves money and in many cases, increases the bottom line,” Pollack said. “ If employers can get in front of these issues and become part of the solution, employees feel their voice is heard and more trust is built. ” David Drap GoMo Health’s Chief Growth Officer Gary Pollack (continued on page 6)