Case study: Making healthier happen one step at a time
Better health choices. Better health outcomes. Lower costs. See how Sioux City Community School District’s benefits strategy is built to drive healthy behaviors and lower costs.
Based on a case study completed in 2022. Last updated in September 2025.
Building healthier workplaces together
As teachers and staff work hard every day serving about 15,000 students, Kim Smith and the human resources team work behind the scenes to ensure they feel supported by the Sioux City Community School District. And it all starts with a strategy to help the staff take full advantage of their UnitedHealthcare benefits, ranging from wellness to chronic disease management programs.
As the benefits and insurance manager, Smith builds a culture of wellness through a variety of events and programs combined with strategic communications designed to engage all employees across the district on their terms. That approach has resulted in lower health care costs among engaged employees.
“Our wellness budget also helps make some of these programs and events even more impactful,” Smith says. “For instance, an on-site biometric event featured a wellness coach to discuss the results if needed. We’ve also extended flu shot clinics past school hours to allow more employees to attend.”
“Since partnering with UnitedHealthcare, the district has implemented initiatives to address physical, mental and emotional well-being.”
Data and insights in action
Employee participation in UnitedHealthcare programs has grown over the years.
Take Real Appeal, for instance: 43% of Sioux City Community School District’s enrolled members experienced a weight loss of 5% or more, surpassing Real Appeal’s benchmarks.¹ The district also has a nearly 60% participation rate in the UHC Rewards program, with members earning above-average incentive rewards.1
“The numbers we get back from programs help us decide what to address for the upcoming plan year or longer term,” Smith says. “We know the healthier we can help keep our staff, we can keep our claims lower, and lower the premiums that we have to pay in.”
In fact, members who participated in the UHC Rewards program accounted for 14.3% fewer ER visits than nonparticipants.2 These members were likely making healthier and more informed choices as a result of their program participation, which may result in lower overall claims costs — since ER visits can cost 15–50x more than an urgent care or virtual visit.4
In addition, the Sioux City Community School District has used its wellness dollars to support healthy living activities for its workforce. Recent initiatives have included biking to work, participating in a 30-day healthy eating challenge and completing a mental wellness challenge. Employees have also taken part in the ‘28 Days of Kindness’ campaign in February, which promotes social and emotional health.
Communicating opportunities is key
Frequent communications through different methods also keeps wellness front and center for the staff. A monthly newsletter, Health Connection, shares the value of programs like UHC Rewards and how to participate.
Smith also sends other educational communications — including some about behavioral health benefits — and launched a ‘De-stress Challenge’ month, which featured mental health journals. Fliers and window clings also promoted behavioral health services embedded in the UnitedHealthcare medical benefit, including access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
“We know our food service staff and bus drivers have difficulty accessing their emails, so we’ll ask secretaries for help to distribute information,” Smith says. “We use our call and texting systems to remind all employees about open enrollment.”
Throughout the year, employees can participate in programs, such as challenges to encourage more walking during the day and a chance to win prizes for getting preventive care.
With support from UnitedHealthcare, Sioux City Community School District has continued to empower its staff to live healthier lives, so they can focus on helping their students and community thrive each and every day they come to work.
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