How Incentives Promote Healthy Behaviors in Wellness Programs

Value-Based Care

For the last several years The Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services have been outspoken regarding the need to address proactively keeping people healthy, instead of waiting until they get sick and require expensive services.  This represents a significant change to the US healthcare system, and is known as value-based care. 

In value-based care, providers are rewarded for the relative health of their patients, instead of getting paid to treat them when they are ill.  The management of chronic conditions is a key to lowering healthcare costs and improving patient outcomes. 

What’s the Cost?

60% of all Americans have at least one chronic condition, and 40% have two or more. Heart disease, cancer and diabetes are the leading causes of death and disability in the United States. They are also leading drivers of the nation’s $3.3 trillion in annual health care costs.  The CDC estimates that eliminating the three risk factors – poor diet, inactivity, and smoking – would prevent: 80% of heart disease and stroke; 80% of type 2 diabetes; and, 40% of cancer.

The Need for Incentives

The interesting twist is that when asked, US consumers state that they want more incentives for healthy behaviors from their health insurance companies.  In a survey of 2500 consumers conducted by survey firm Survata in 2018, the question was asked: What are the top three (3) services that would help to most improve your current level of satisfaction with your health plan? The results across the entire survey group were clear – the most popular response, with 49%, was “More incentives for healthy behaviors” which was a virtual tie with 49% stating “Tools and information to help me understand my benefits.”

Perhaps the most startling result came from Millennials, 53% of whom want more incentives for healthy behaviors from their health plan, and 44% stated that those incentives are missing and impacting their satisfaction with their health plan.  

How Employers Can Help

Employers can have a fundamental role in impacting health and well-being. In a recent study conducted by Aflac, 61% of employees agree that they have made healthier lifestyle choices because of their company’s wellness program. A comprehensive and holistic wellness program will help employees change their lifestyle and make better choices, resulting in higher productivity and job satisfaction.  In addition the same report finds that Millennials, more than any other group, factor in benefits like health and wellness programs in deciding whether to take or remain in a job.   

Interestingly, among those incentives and programs for healthy behaviors, it has been proven that cash rewards do not have a sustained impact on life habits. IValue-Based Care

For the last several years The Centers of Medicare and Medicaid Services have been outspoken regarding the need to address proactively keeping people healthy, instead of waiting until they get sick and require expensive services.  This represents a significant change to the US healthcare system, and is known as value-based care. 

In value-based care, providers are rewarded for the relative health of their patients, instead of getting paid to treat them when they are ill.  The management of chronic conditions is a key to lowering healthcare costs and improving patient outcomes. 

What’s the Cost?

60% of all Americans have at least one chronic condition, and 40% have two or more. Heart disease, cancer and diabetes are the leading causes of death and disability in the United States. They are also leading drivers of the nation’s $3.3 trillion in annual health care costs.  The CDC estimates that eliminating the three risk factors – poor diet, inactivity, and smoking – would prevent: 80% of heart disease and stroke; 80% of type 2 diabetes; and, 40% of cancer.

The Need for Incentives

The interesting twist is that when asked, US consumers state that they want more incentives for healthy behaviors from their health insurance companies.  In a survey of 2500 consumers conducted by survey firm Survata in 2018, the question was asked: What are the top three (3) services that would help to most improve your current level of satisfaction with your health plan? The results across the entire survey group were clear – the most popular response, with 49%, was “More incentives for healthy behaviors” which was a virtual tie with 49% stating “Tools and information to help me understand my benefits.”

Perhaps the most startling result came from Millennials, 53% of whom want more incentives for healthy behaviors from their health plan, and 44% stated that those incentives are missing and impacting their satisfaction with their health plan.  

How Employers Can Help

Employers can have a fundamental role in impacting health and well-being. In a recent study conducted by Aflac, 61% of employees agree that they have made healthier lifestyle choices because of their company’s wellness program. A comprehensive and holistic wellness program will help employees change their lifestyle and make better choices, resulting in higher productivity and job satisfaction.  In addition the same report finds that Millennials, more than any other group, factor in benefits like health and wellness programs in deciding whether to take or remain in a job.   

Interestingly, among those incentives and programs for healthy behaviors, it has been proven that cash rewards do not have a sustained impact on life habits. Incentives such as gift cards for healthy habits make a long-lasting difference, helping to contain costs of healthcare, improve overall health outcomes and boost employee engagement all at the. .