Rewards program offers financial incentives for healthy habits Posted: November 22nd, 2010

Members of certain UnitedHealthcare medical plans now have a new tool to help them meet their health goals. UnitedHealth Personal Rewards tracks healthy behaviors using a personalized scorecard and provides financial incentives for participants. Originally started as a pilot program for the insurer's employees, rewards are now being offered to subscribers in group plans with more than 3,000 members.

The rewards program uses a secure, online scorecard that includes both general and customized health actions. Sample actions include scheduling preventive check-ups and screenings such as mammograms. For each completed action, participants move closer to receiving selected rewards. The more actions completed by a subscriber, the greater the reward.

Financial incentives through UnitedHealth Personal Rewards include:

• Saving money on monthly premiums
• Extra funding for health care accounts
• One time cash payouts

"UnitedHealth Personal Rewards is a personally tailored wellness program that encourages people to make positive health and behavior changes rather than waiting to treat illness," said Sam Ho, M.D., chief medical officer, UnitedHealthcare Employer & Individual. "By connecting specific actions with meaningful incentives, we're confident we'll be able to motivate healthier behaviors over the long term."