5 Ways Employee Wellness Programs Like Calibrate’s Metabolic Reset Reduce Healthcare Costs & Improve Productivity

Medically reviewed by: Kristin Baier, MD

Employee wellness programs are no longer a nice-to-have—they're a strategic imperative.

The link between employee health and business performance is undeniable. Healthier employees are more productive, engaged, and less likely to incur high healthcare costs. When employees feel their best, they bring more energy, focus, and creativity to their roles.

This positive impact on business outcomes is especially pronounced when addressing obesity, which affects 42% of the U.S. population. Obesity is linked to numerous chronic diseases that increase absenteeism, reduce productivity, and inflate healthcare expenses.

Calibrate’s approach emphasizes that obesity is a medical condition—not a byproduct of failed willpower. Recognizing obesity as a chronic disease shifts the focus from stigma and blame to effective treatment strategies that support overall health.

So, what's the most effective treatment strategy? There's no single "cure;" rather, a multifaceted approach that incorporates medication access, personalized coaching, education, and lifestyle interventions is most likely to create lasting weight loss and overall health improvements. In turn, employers can expect reduced healthcare expenditure and enhanced productivity.

Learn how Calibrate partners with employers to achieve these outcomes.

Here are five ways employee wellness programs like Calibrate's can reduce healthcare costs for employers:

Benefits of employee wellness programs on healthcare spending

1. Employee wellness programs can reduce obesity-related healthcare costs

Obesity contributes to numerous chronic conditions, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and certain cancers. These conditions account for nearly 29% of employer healthcare spending.

Calibrate’s Metabolic Reset program has demonstrated sustained weight loss—averaging 19.1% at 36 months—with members also achieving an average 6-inch reduction in waist circumference.

Waist circumference is a key indicator of visceral fat, which surrounds internal organs and contributes to metabolic conditions like type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. 

Visceral fat is metabolically active, promoting inflammation and insulin resistance. Reducing waist circumference lowers visceral fat levels, significantly decreasing the risk of these costly chronic conditions. Notably, 35% of Calibrate members who began the program with at-risk waist measurements reached normal levels within 12 months​.

For employers, this reduction translates to substantial healthcare cost savings. Lower visceral fat levels lead to fewer chronic disease diagnoses, reduced prescription drug spending, and fewer hospital visits. 

In fact, employers can realize up to $1,500 in annual healthcare cost savings per participating employee through reduced claims related to obesity-associated conditions and improved metabolic health outcomes.

See how Calibrate’s approach can reduce healthcare costs for your organization.

2. Improved metabolic health markers in employees

Beyond weight loss, wellness programs focusing on metabolic health deliver tangible medical cost reductions. These include measurable reductions in healthcare claims related to conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases.

Calibrate data shows that 76% of members with prediabetes or diabetes normalized their HbA1c levels within 12 months. In addition, 67% improved LDL cholesterol and 72% reduced triglycerides. See more: Calibrate 2025 Results Report. 

Such improvements significantly lower the risk of costly medical interventions like hospitalizations, emergency room visits, and long-term medication usage, resulting in substantial healthcare savings.

3. Employee wellness programs alleviate absenteeism and presenteeism

Obesity-related absenteeism alone costs U.S. employers $82.3 billion annually. This figure highlights not only the financial burden of missed workdays, but also the operational challenges companies face when key employees are absent. Consistent absenteeism can disrupt workflow, reduce team productivity, and delay critical projects.

Healthier employees, however, are less likely to miss work—and they're more likely to be productive when present. 

Calibrate members reported significant improvements in energy levels (58%) and sleep quality (38%), both crucial for workplace performance. With 87% of members noting an improved quality of life, employers benefit from fewer absences and higher on-the-job productivity. See more: Calibrate 2025 Results Report. 

4. Enhanced employee retention and satisfaction

High turnover rates are costly, requiring employers to spend significantly on recruiting, onboarding, and training new hires. On the other hand, when employees feel supported through comprehensive benefits that take their physical health and wellness into account, they are more likely to stay with their organization.

Calibrate’s enterprise data shows 96% of employees intend to maintain lifestyle changes post-program. Additionally, 93% reported an improved quality of life, and 78% felt equipped to sustain results without ongoing medication. Such outcomes can ultimately reduce turnover costs for employers, preserve institutional knowledge, and contribute to a company culture that attracts top talent.

Discover how Calibrate helps employers improve retention and satisfaction.

5. The right programs can mitigate dependency on high-cost medications

GLP-1 medications are effective but expensive—and they're not magic jabs that produce weight loss in a vacuum. Patients prescribed these medications must also make changes to their food, exercise, sleep, and emotional health habits in order to maintain lasting results.

Calibrate stands apart from many other employee wellness programs that focus on medication access alone: By combining clinically appropriate GLP-1 use with personalized coaching, behavioral support, and evidence-based lifestyle changes, Calibrate ensures members achieve better long-term results that are sustainable with lower doses and even after tapering medication.

In fact, Calibrate’s data reveals that members who discontinued GLP-1s maintained an average 22% weight loss after 52 weeks. This reduces long-term pharmaceutical expenses while sustaining employee health improvements.

Demonstrating real-world success: Brookfield Asset Management

Brookfield Asset Management, a leading private equity firm with 14,000 employees across multiple states, sought a structured and effective weight health solution that could fit into the demanding schedules of its workforce. With a predominantly female employee base (73%) and high demands on employee performance, Brookfield recognized that unstructured GLP-1 access alone was insufficient.

Partnering with Calibrate, Brookfield implemented the Metabolic Reset program in January 2023. The results were impressive:

• 3 months: 5.26% average body weight reduction
• 6 months: 10.22% average body weight reduction
• 12 months: 15.12% average body weight reduction
• 18 months: 17.56% average body weight reduction
• 24 months: 16.99% average body weight reduction

Weight loss was only part of the story: Brookfield employees demonstrated strong engagement, with 80% tracking their weight at least once per week and 67% completing their coaching sessions. More importantly, Brookfield’s data confirmed that employees following Calibrate’s structured approach maintained their progress, while those relying only on medication often regained weight.

Employee feedback highlighted improvements in positivity, motivation, and overall wellness. Brookfield’s partnership with Calibrate proves that structured, clinically guided interventions create better results—both for employees and employers—by fostering behavioral durability and sustainable health outcomes.

Key takeaways

Employers seeking to optimize healthcare spending and drive productivity must invest in comprehensive wellness solutions that address both immediate and long-term health outcomes.

Many digital health platforms focus solely on providing access to medications like GLP-1s. While these medications are effective, they are not a complete solution. Without the necessary lifestyle changes—such as improvements in food choices, exercise routines, sleep habits, and emotional health—weight loss may not be sustainable.

Calibrate sets itself apart by combining clinically appropriate GLP-1 use with personalized coaching, behavioral support, and an evidence-based curriculum. This comprehensive approach ensures members achieve and maintain clinically-significant results, even after tapering off medication.

The impact of Calibrate’s Metabolic Reset goes beyond weight loss. With members reporting better energy levels, improved metabolic markers, and higher quality of life, employers benefit from reduced healthcare costs, lower turnover rates, and a more productive workforce. Investing in such holistic programs not only fosters healthier employees but also builds stronger, more engaged organizations.

Now is the time to rethink employee wellness strategies: Learn how partnering with Calibrate can transform your workforce and deliver sustainable business results. 

Sources:

1. Emmerich, S. D., Fryar, C. D., Stierman, B., & Ogden, C. L. (2024, September). Obesity and severe obesity prevalence in adults: United States, August 2021–August 2023 (NCHS Data Brief No. 508). National Center for Health Statistics. https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/databriefs/db508.pdf
2. GlobalData. (2024, February). Overweight & obesity impact on employers. Retrieved from https://www.globaldata.com/health-economics/US/Employers/Overweight-Obesity-Impact-on-Employers.pdf 
3. Calibrate. (2025). 2025 Calibrate Results Report. Retrieved from https://calibrate.cdn.prismic.io/calibrate/Z4VCK5bqstJ99ZFD_2025ResultsReportWhitePaper-1-.pdf 
4. Calibrate. (2024, August 26). Beyond diet and exercise: How effective weight loss management helps save on healthcare costs. HR Dive. https://www.hrdive.com/spons/beyond-diet-and-exercise-how-effective-weight-loss-management-helps-save-o/723951/