Health Incentives

The majority of consumers believe video games should encourage physical activity and that “physically active” video games can complement traditional exercise, according to a new survey released today by UnitedHealth Group (NYSE: UNH).

The Affordable Care Act will expand the ability of employers to reward workers who achieve health improvement goals.

"The wellness industry is awful noisy. Some people are doing some great things, and other people are just adding to the noise.” That’s what Charlie Zei, the co-founder of employee wellness incentives company PUSH Wellness, summed up quite nicely in a recent interview.

The use of worksite wellness programs among large companies have surged in recent years, despite the economic downturn.

Henry Albrecht, CEO of Limeade, Inc., suggests that incorporating gaming techniques into company wellness programs exponentially ups engagement, a key ingredient to wellness program success.

More Personalized Experience Drives Even Deeper Employee Engagement, Behavior Change; More Actionable Insights Into Population Health Risks Help Employers Create Culture of Health

United Preference prepaid health cards can be tailored so health incentives can only be used to purchase health related products like over-the-counter medications, healthy foods, and supplements at retail, and products and services like athletic gear, consumer goods, yoga studio memberships, and doctor office copays

What a difference less than a year can make. Unlike the start of 2011, the Incentive Research Foundation’s (IRF) latest survey of incentive industry trends finds planners struggling with the effects of an economy caught in a slow recovery.

Reward-driven wellness programs are emerging as one of the most flexible and effective approaches to curb exploding health care costs.