BATESVILLE, Ind., Sept. 14, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Hillenbrand, Inc., has been named one of Indiana's healthiest workplaces for 2012 by the Indianapolis Business Journal and the Healthiest Employers^® program, an innovative awards program that recognizes organizations for proactively shaping the health of their employees.

One of only five Indiana companies recognized with this honor, Hillenbrand won in the 1,500–4,999 employees category for its operations in Batesville, where its corporate offices and Batesville Casket Company subsidiary are headquartered and where the company has operated an on-site Health and Wellness Center offering free medical care to associates and their families since 2010.

Hillenbrand is also the parent company of Rotex Global LLC, a Cincinnati-based manufacturer of screening equipment, feeders, and automated analyzers for a broad range of process industries. Hillenbrand acquired Rotex in 2011 and plans to expand the medical services of its Health and Wellness Center to Rotex employees this year.

"We are honored that our efforts toward improving associates' health and wellness have been recognized, and we're proud of this achievement," said Kenneth A. Camp, President and CEO of Hillenbrand.

Building on its philosophy that every business process can be improved through the application of lean thinking principles, in 2009 the company began evaluating the health care experiences of its associates through this same lens. "It became very clear the existing processes were burdened with non-value-added elements that, if eliminated, would enable us to take better care of our associates, make doctors and nurses more satisfied, and also reduce cost by eliminating waste," Camp said.  "We felt the key was a member-focused, integrated health care approach that first emphasized the quality and delivery of care to Hillenbrand associates."

The resulting health and wellness program combines educational sessions on disease prevention and awareness, health risk assessments, biometric screenings—and an on-site Health and Wellness Center. Operated through a partnership with Indianapolis-based Novia CareClinics, the Hillenbrand Health and Wellness Center enables associates and their families to see a physician, fill generic prescriptions, and even receive occupational health services—at no cost to them.

"Since the implementation of the Health and Wellness Center, we have had a 283% increase in the number of our associates and their families receiving annual physicals," said Julie Joerger, Human Resources Director, Mergers and Acquisitions, for Hillenbrand. "The construction and what we put into the center paid for itself in about six months, and our health care cost increases have been trending at about a third of national averages." The center's services are offered as an additional health benefit to associates and are designed to be used in conjunction with the company's existing health insurance plans.

Hillenbrand also partnered with Health Design Plus, a Hudson, Ohio-based third-party administrator, to implement a Healthy Living Disease Management program, which offers case management that helps identify individual risk status, improve health, and demonstrate positive outcomes. Health Design Plus offers data integration from the risk assessments and screenings, as well as the Health and Wellness Center and pharmacy benefits manager, so that Hillenbrand's programs provide a holistic approach to health care and wellness coaching.

Besides reducing health care costs, Hillenbrand's health and wellness program has resulted in reduced absenteeism, improved productivity, reduced workers' compensation and lost workdays, and improved morale. As Joerger noted, "The bottom line is we want to create compelling experiences for our associates in all areas, including health care."

For more information, contact Chris Lowery, Director, Public Policy and Engagement, Hillenbrand, Inc., One Batesville Blvd., Batesville, IN 47006; tel. 812-934-1850; email chris.lowery@hillenbrand.com.

About Hillenbrand

Hillenbrand (NYSE: HI) (www.Hillenbrand.com) is a global diversified industrial company that makes and sells premium business-to-business products and services for a wide variety of industries. Hillenbrand pursues profitable growth and meaningful dividends for our shareholders by leveraging our leading brands, robust cash generation capabilities and strong core competencies. HI-INC-F

SOURCE Hillenbrand, Inc.