Prairie States Presented with Well Workplace Award by Wellness Council of America
Prairie States Presented with Well Workplace Award by Wellness Council of America
The Wellness Council of America (WELCOA), with local affiliate Wellness Council of Wisconsin (WCWI), recently presented its coveted Bronze Well Workplace Award to Prairie States Enterprises, a Sheboygan-based third party administrator of self-funded employee health benefit plans. The Bronze Well Workplace Award recognizes companies and organizations for their commitment to the health and well-being of their employees.
By achieving the Well Workplace Award, Prairie States has made a long-lasting commitment to the health and well-being of its employees. As stated by WELCOA Interim CEO Sara Martin, “Well Workplace Award winners have systematically and deliberately created an environment for employees to work in that is going to help them thrive and flourish as humans. These organizations have taken a whole systems approach investing in the humanity of their people.”
Founded in 1989 by a nurse practitioner, Prairie States’ stated business model has always been to operate as both a claims administrator AND a health and wellness company.
“An important part of our vision is to improve the health and benefit plan experience of our members,” said Rene Parker, a Wellness and Condition Management Specialist at Prairie States. “The decision was made to turn that wellness focus inward and develop a program designed to improve the wellness of our own employees who serve this vision so well.”
The program, “Wellth in Health,” taps into the passion and integrity of Prairie States’ employees and encourages them to strive for their best possible health. The Wellth in Health team, headed by Parker, launched a variety of initiatives and programming, including wellness opportunities that take into account the whole person and all aspects of well-being.
In addition to covering the basics of healthy eating and activity, the team soon expanded its offerings to include mental health and emotional well-being through stress management and highlighting EAP services. Drawing on the resources of the company’s 401(k) benefit partner, the program also addresses financial health and well-being.
“We’re extremely proud of the efforts made by Rene, her team, and of all our employees,” said Prairie States President Michou Reichelsdorfer. “The program has a consistently fresh approach and it fits perfectly with our company culture. Engagement and participation have been outstanding because it always keeps employee interest at the center. This WELCOA Well Workplace Award is a direct result of the Wellth in Health program. We are incredibly proud of our team and this achievement.”
“Prairie States has clearly demonstrated their commitment to protect and enhance the health and well-being of their employees,” said Wellness Council of Wisconsin’s Executive Director, Marissa Kalkman. “By meeting the comprehensive standards necessary to achieve the Bronze Well Workplace Award, Prairie States is prioritizing the well-being of their employees as a foundation of their company’s culture.”
About the Well Workplace Initiative
The Well Workplace Awards initiative is driven by a rigorous set of criteria outlined in WELCOA’s seven benchmarks to a result-oriented Well Workplace. Since its inception in 1991, over 1,000 organizations, ranging from educational institutions to non-profit and profit sectors have joined the list of “America’s Healthiest Companies” by receiving the Well Workplace Award.
About Prairie States
Prairie States delivers the programs, insights and expertise to bend the trend of rising healthcare costs. Paired with a staff of incredibly dedicated, informed and responsive people who care about the members they serve, this integrated approach allows us to identify ways to save on costs for employers, without compromising the quality of care for employees and their families. Prairie States provides cutting-edge health benefits administration with a human touch. It’s a difference you’ll notice the very first moment we start working together and one you’ll wonder how you ever did without.
About the Wellness Council of Wisconsin
The Wellness Council of Wisconsin was founded in 1985 by nine employers from the Wisconsin business community. With more than 6,000 member organizations located throughout North America, WELCOA is highly recognized and regarded for their innovative and result-oriented approach to worksite wellness.
Prairie States Enterprises, Inc. is a third-party health benefits plan administrator that brings industry expertise and a clinical focus to self-insured companies. Our in-house claims administration, health management services, wellness programs, plan analysis and predictive modeling tools result in remarkable and unprecedented cost control for employers. We also provide the most compassionate and personalized level of service for plan members.