Northern Michigan University’s Strategic Integration of Well-being into Corporate Culture

"I really enjoy the program. It stretches me out in a short period of time. The routines change frequently enough to keep my interest."

Northern Michigan University member enrolled in Hinge Health back program

About Northern Michigan University

As a university full of outdoors enthusiasts, it’s no surprise that one of its core values is well-being. This new value reflects a deep commitment to improving the health and productivity of its community members, including students, faculty, and staff.

When Northern Michigan University (NMU) introduced this new value (part of its commitment to the Okanagan Charter), it showed a whole-person approach to health that includes people, places, and the planet. To further support the workforce, the NMU Benefits Team had rolled out various new benefits around mental and physical health.

Northern Michigan University's workforce and benefit challenges

NMU has a diverse workforce, including faculty, staff, internal police force, health center employees, and others. With the average employee age being 47 across this diverse workforce, NMU found that MSK claims were the number two highest spend.

They knew they needed a solution, but being in a healthcare desert with limited access to healthcare services caused many problems. Access to care can be difficult for many employees, and it’s common to commute 2+ hours each way or wait months for an appointment.

The university wanted to create a place where health was important and that employees knew about the commitment. This was not only to improve individual health, but also to make the university more productive and involved. Another challenge that NMU faced and is still currently facing is the lack of a benefit enrollment system. They are still using paper and had to get creative around communicating benefits to its members. 

Northern Michigan University's MSK benefits program and implementation

To overcome the geographical limitations of its location, NMU partnered with and implemented several virtual health services, including Hinge Health. The success of these programs is clear, as shown in their high utilization rates, but it also demonstrates their effectiveness in meeting the health needs of the workforce.

“We have a high level of utilization, and that’s good to see. We like to see that, but we want our workforce to know that we’re investing in their well-being in a variety of ways. A unique way that we’re doing that is by offering some programming that allows you to do things from the comfort of your home or from your office, on your break, whatever that needs to look like, so that you can make sure that you’re taking care of yourself,” said Heather Haupt, Director of Benefits at Northern Michigan University. 

Receiving such high utilization rates doesn’t come overnight. Heather and her team recognize the diversity of the workforce and have created a tailored communication strategy to engage the different employee demographics. This helps to ensure that everyone is aware of the benefits that are offered to them. For non-computer-based workers, for example, information about open enrollment is shared through notes at time clocks. Haupt emphasized the importance of passionate and lively communication about the benefits, framing them as a significant investment in employee well-being. Collaboration with partners like the Hinge Health Enrollment Team has also been crucial in improving these communication efforts.

The strategic focus on well-being into NMU’s culture has not only improved the health and productivity of NMU’s community, but has also positioned the university as a leader in innovative health and wellness initiatives. The adoption of virtual health services has made healthcare more accessible, addressing the challenges posed by the rural area. Effective communication strategies have made employees feel supported and valued. Which has shown that NMU has successfully created a supportive environment that promotes the overall well-being of its community.

Northern Michigan University’s employees have embraced Hinge Health. Over its first year period, NMU’s participants report:

• 10.8% of its population engaged with Hinge Health 

• 6,553 Total treatment sessions completed

• Average member interactions:

  • 38 treatment sessions to date (represents exercise therapy sessions, Enso sessions, and PT video visits)

  • 37 care team interactions 

  • 16 education articles read

• 68% of member enrollments came from email and about 17% from a mailer

• 51% average pain reduction reported by members

• 8.7 out of 10 satisfaction rating from members 

Results are based on a September 2023 Program Launch through July 2024 across all eligible members at Northern Michigan University.