If it seems that healthcare costs are skyrocketing, it’s a reality—not a perception. Since the turn of the century, we’ve seen a steady double-digit jump in health costs. But, based on four case studies released by WellNet Healthcare Group reporting millions of savings in healthcare benefits, a new light is shining at the end of the high cost tunnel. The case studies report all four companies posted returns on their investment in HPM software of more than 11 to 1.

A key component of rising costs is the expensive treatment of certain chronic health conditions—80% of costs are traceable to just five high risk chronic conditions: diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular disease, stroke and cancer. Studies confirm that 130 million Americans live with these chronic health conditions.

While other factors also impact costs, such chronic illnesses are often more a result of individual lifestyle choices than natural causes. In spite of increased educational efforts, the human instinct to make lifestyle choices that negatively impact on personal health persists.

Yet the very human traits that influence lifestyle behaviors can also affect our health—if we only knew what we don’t know. Truth is, we now know more about healthy lifestyle choices and how prevention can offer a “priceless” way to avoid expensive medical treatments while improving individual health. While the “reward” of sugary desserts may be instant gratification, the long-term health implications may be a high blood sugar level that can lead to diabetes.

Software programs that incorporate clinical screenings that can detect potential illnesses are growing in popularity. A high creatinine blood test level, for example, can be a “red flag” indicator to possible kidney disease—a clinically treatable condition that can avoid more costly dialysis treatments. Analytics that identify Lipitor users can be a signal of potential cholesterol problems which can result in costly cardiovascular illness.

Inexpensive, and often free, individual risk profiles known as health risk assessments (HRAs) can help detect possible future illnesses before they occur. Based on completion of simple yet in-depth HRAs , such screenings can serve as a harbinger of future health problems—cost drivers related to obesity and smoking—which add billions of dollars to the nation’s health bill.

A 2009 report from the Milken Institute notes that savings from modest improvements in unhealthy lifestyle behaviors could result in 40 million fewer cases of chronic diseases and reduce treatment costs and productivity by $1.1 trillion annually by 2023.

Now, using cutting edge software, health plan sponsors can identify potentially costly workforce health risks, and in real-time implement strategies to mitigate those risks and costs. Data analytics and preventive modeling that incorporate HRA results permit early identification of potential costly health risks. When combined with targeted educational programs and wellness programs, these strategies are showing amazing early results in preventing illness and reducing health costs.

In a recently released case history, Men’s Wearhouse, a national clothing retail firm, reported savings of $3.3 million in 2010 on its medical and prescription drug claims—and health expenses per employee dropped $462 over the course of the year. The Scooter Store, a national mobility device distributor, announced it was able to save $1.4 million in 2010—more than $750 per employee.

As the old saying goes, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure—but maybe it’s worth millions.