The following is a press release sent to Patch regarding a free program designed to improve employees’ health and lower town’s healthcare costs.

Committed to helping employees stay fit, healthy and happy as winter approaches, the town of Medfield recently provided free weekly indoor fitness classes for municipal staff.

The on-site program was designed to encourage participants to develop healthier and long lasting lifestyle behaviors, which may in turn help the community control its healthcare costs. Medfield employees kicked off the six-week program with an hour-long class on Oct. 10 at The Center at Medfield.

The town of Medfield recognizes that encouraging employees and family members to adopt and maintain healthy behaviors through unique and engaging wellness and fitness programs conveniently offered at the work site may help them create new habits. Over the long-term, such changes can improve employees’ health and quality of life as well as lead to bottom line savings on the town’s health insurance costs.

The Massachusetts Interlocal Insurance Association (MIIA), the town’s health insurance provider, offers the fitness classes at no cost to the town as a membership benefit.

“Everyone is aware of the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle and MIIA Wellness coordinators are thankfully there to graciously remind us of this,” said Joy Ricciuto, Medfield’s Town Accountant.

“Classes are carefully scheduled at convenient times and held at convenient locations.  Even with busy work schedules, some employees enthusiastically attend classes, and turn in favorable survey results. The proof is in the demand for repeat classes with the same instructors.  Without MIIA, Town employees would unlikely benefit from free fitness classes. Our employees tremendously appreciate MIIA’s funding of these customized fitness programs. This is winning situation for both the employees and for MIIA,” Ricciuto said.

According to MIIA Health Benefits Trust, individuals who do not exercise spend 10 percent more on health care and use twice the amount of sick time than those who do exercise regularly. Regular exercise and lifestyle changes can help prevent the risk of many diseases that can be most costly to employers, such as diabetes, heart disease and hypertension. In addition to exercise, a well-balanced diet, an overall healthy lifestyle and regular doctor visits can greatly reduce the risk of these diseases and other chronic illnesses.

About MIIA

The Massachusetts Interlocal Insurance Association (MIIA) is the non-profit insurance arm of the Massachusetts Municipal Association (MMA). The MIIA Health Benefits Trust provides health coverage for the employees and retirees of cities, towns and other governmental entities in Massachusetts that are members of the MMA. As a member-based organization, MIIA’s only focus is to provide excellent service and quality risk management solutions to Massachusetts municipalities and related public entities. MIIA insures nearly 400 cities, towns, and other public entities in Massachusetts. For more information, visit www.emiia.org and www.mma.org.