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You know how health insurance works: You pay a premium, you pay a deductible and sometimes you also pay a copay. It can feel like a lot of paying, all told. But health insurance doesn’t just have to cost you money. Health insurance companies have an interest in you staying healthy and preventing chronic illness, too. After all, someone who is healthy will end up living a longer, happier life--and spending much less on medical expenses. While yesterday’s insurers took a here-and-now approach, today’s companies are offering a host of health-promoting incentive programs to help their members prevent and manage health conditions. These programs are painless and powerful motivators to keep up healthy habits. Every insurance company is different, but most of the time, all it takes is a quick, baseline assessment in which you create personal, measurable goals (like getting a check-up or tracking workouts), and you’ll soon be earning rewards. These rewards most often consist of discounts or points toward the purchase of items or services (like exercise equipment, movie tickets, hotel stays and more) simply for doing basic health-related tasks. Here are some of the ways you could reap rewards from your insurance company (many of which you would probably do anyway!). Get a Flu Shot You already get your flu shot and a yearly check-up, so why not get rewarded for it? Many health insurance companies will offer incentives simply for getting a flu shot or certain preventative health screenings. Check with your provider to see which screenings are on your rewards list. Buy Healthy Products and Services Get rewarded for the healthy stuff you already purchase and use regularly! Some insurance companies offer discounts for health-promoting buys, such as a gym membership, nutritional supplements or even laser eye surgery. Some insurance companies may even already be paired with grocers and fitness facilities to automatically reward you when you purchase healthy foods, like whole grain cereal or salad, or when you swipe a membership card on your way to the gym. Exercise Regularly Some insurance companies also offer rewards simply just for keeping up with a consistent exercise routine. Many insurers have their own tracking programs that reward you with points and prizes for eating healthfully or working out, and many companies will accept activity tracker data as proof of your commitment to a healthy lifestyle. These systems help you gamify your daily food and fitness tracking, making it much more fun to stick with a healthy lifestyle! Additionally, if you need the extra push of face-to-face support to reach your fitness goals, many health insurance companies will offer up the services of a health coach to help you stick to your exercise plan. Give Back to Your Community Get a little something in return for giving back! Many insurance companies will reward you for donating blood or for getting certified in CPR and/or First Aid. Check with your insurance provider to see what kinds of rewards they offer for blood donation and/or certain healthcare certifications. Get a Blood Test Did the doc tell you that your bloodwork looks perfect? You could get rewarded for going under the needle! Many insurance companies offer incentives for in-range test results of blood glucose, cholesterol, blood pressure and more. Although reward programs focus mainly on preventative health, they aren't just for healthy people; they can also be incredibly useful if you're already living with a chronic condition. Managing your illness and monitoring your health through a wellness incentive program can help extend your lifespan and, equally importantly, improve your short- and long-term quality of life. And if you’re considering a major life change, such as weight-loss surgery or becoming pregnant, these programs can help incentivize you to stick to your care plan. As interest in preventive care grows, the scope of benefits offered by insurance companies is likely to grow, too. Note that this list is just a sample of the rewards your insurance company may be able to provide for you. Whether you’re a gym rat, someone who dreams of trading the couch for a 5K, or someone who just needs a little help figuring out new ways to stay healthy, your health insurance company may have an incentive program to fit your needs. Contact your insurer and ask how your goals and existing incentive programs align. About the Author Robin Donovan is a Cincinnati-based freelance writer and magazine journalist with experience covering health, medicine, science, business, technology and design. |
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