Skip to main content

Stay in the know. Subscribe to the OIG Bulletin.

OIG Advisory Regarding the City’s Wellness Program

August 4, 2015

Summary

The City of Chicago Office of Inspector General has completed a review of the City’s current employee wellness program, Chicago Lives Healthy.

Executive Summary

The City of Chicago Office of Inspector General (OIG) has completed a review of the City’s current employee wellness program, Chicago Lives Healthy (CLH). The review found that, while the City spent nearly $10.5 million in taxpayer resources from 2012 through 2014 to improve employee health and reduce healthcare costs through CLH, the City has not formally assessed the program’s impact in either area and, at present, has no plans to do so. OIG further learned that general research on the effectiveness of employee wellness programs is inconclusive. This research highlights the need for the City to develop specific performance measurements and analysis to determine whether the substantial outlay of taxpayer resources is meeting the program and policy objectives.

The following advisory summarizes some of the prevailing approaches to employee wellness program performance measurement that the City might consider in its assessment of CLH. OIG further suggests that the City clarify its expectations for the program by setting specific health status and healthcare savings targets as well as a timeline for achieving them. Once established, the City should monitor CLH performance on an ongoing basis to ensure that the program meets the City’s wellness and cost-savings objectives.

OIG Advisory Regarding the City’s Wellness Program - publication cover