Solstice Benefits, Inc. Recognized as a Platinum Level American Heart Association Fit-Friendly Worksite

November 14, 2012 - Plantation, FL

Solstice Benefits, Inc. has been recognized as a Platinum-Level Fit-Friendly Worksite by the American Heart Association for helping employees eat better and move more.

“Physical activity and employee wellness are important priorities at Solstice. We are honored and excited to be recognized by the American Heart Association as a Platinum-Level Fit-Friendly Worksite. We set out to raise the bar this year by investing more in our wellness program and that investment has proven to increase employee participation and health. We are very pleased to be recognized for supporting employee wellness,” said Solstice chief operating officer, Carlos Ferrera. “We’re committed to providing the best workplace environment possible while supporting our mission to improve the lives of those we serve. In order to do that, we must start at home: with our own employees..”

As a Platinum-level employer this year, Solstice:
• Offers employees physical activity options in the workplace.
• Increased healthy eating options at the worksite.
• Promotes a wellness culture in the workplace.
• Implemented at least nine criteria outlined by the American Heart Association in the areas of physical activity, nutrition and culture.
• Demonstrated measurable outcomes related to workplace wellness which included a 66 percent increase in employee wellness participation, invested 26 percent more funds into their wellness program and showed a 229 percent return on program investment represented by health savings and positive health outcomes

The Fit-Friendly Worksites program is a catalyst for positive change in the American workforce by helping worksites make their employees’ health and wellness a priority.

American employers are losing an estimated $225.8 billion a year because of health care expenses and health-related losses in productivity, and those numbers are rising. Many American adults spend most of their waking hours at sedentary jobs. Their lack of regular physical activity raises their risk for a host of medical problems, such as obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes. Employers face $12.7 billion in annual medical expenses due to obesity alone. The American Heart Association is working to change corporate cultures by motivating employees to start walking, which has the lowest dropout rate of any physical activity.

Recognition is a critical component of the Fit-Friendly Worksites program. Employers that join this program qualify for official recognition by the American Heart Association. They are listed on the program’s national website, as well as being awarded the Fit-Friendly Gold Level Organization Award in 2011 and 2012. Additionally, Solstice was recognized by the South Florida Business Journal as one of South Florida’s Healthiest Employers earlier this year. Qualifying worksites also have the right to use the program’s annual recognition seal for internal communications and with external, recruitment-related communications.

“The Fit-Friendly Worksites Program offers a unique, easy-to-implement opportunity for corporations to increase employees’ physical activity, which will help improve their health – and their employers’ bottom line,” said AHA spokesman, Chris Gentile. “Even people who haven’t exercised regularly until middle age can reap significant benefits by starting a walking program. A study published in 1986 in the New England Journal of Medicine found that some adults may gain two hours of life expectancy for every hour of regular, vigorous exercise they performed.”

For more information about the Fit-Friendly Worksites program and how it is helping to improve the health of Americans by focusing on an activity that is convenient, free and easy, call 1.877.760.2247 or visit startwalkingnow.org.

About the American Heart Association:
The American Heart Association is devoted to saving people from heart disease and stroke – America’s No. 1 and No. 4 killers. We team with millions of volunteers to fund innovative research, fight for stronger public health policies, and provide lifesaving tools and information to prevent and treat these diseases. The Dallas-based association is the nation’s oldest and largest voluntary organization dedicated to fighting heart disease and stroke. To learn more or join us, call 1-800-AHA-USA1 or any of our offices around the country, or visit heart.org.

About Solstice:
Solstice Benefits, Inc. is a privately held Florida corporation based in Plantation, FL that holds a Life and Health Insurer Certificate of Authority, authorizing it to write in the Accident and Health, Prepaid Limited Health Service Organization and Discount Medical Plan Organization lines of business. Solstice administers and markets a wide range of ancillary benefit plans, including dental, vision, pharmaceutical, life and short- and long-term disability. Through its various products, Solstice provides benefits and services to over 500,000 members and maintains a network of over 9,500 participating dentist. Solstice has approximately 85 employees that form its multi-lingual staff. The company’s business partners and management have over 100 years of combined experience in providing ancillary benefits. Its well-rounded plans, expansive network and service-oriented mentality keep it in the forefront of the industry.

For information on Solstice, please contact 1.877.760.2247.

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