Businesses in Broward and Palm Beach counties are ahead of Miami-Dade in terms of offering wellness programs to employees.

Mario Careaga, senior VP at Seitlin Benefits & Advisory Services in Fort Lauderdale, said more of his corporate clients are participating, with some insurance providers offering larger employers cash for their programs. The thinking behind the offer is that companies with healthier employees cost both the employer and the health insurer less.

But, South Florida still lags the nation in implementing programs such as smoking cessation that proactively contribute to the health of its workforce.

The reason for the lag is complex and has to do, in part, with the concentration of small business in South Florida, said Leslie Carlet, president of American Benefit Partners, a benefits broker and consultant with a large contingent of small employers.

Article from southflorida.bizjournals.com