American Specialty Health Inc. is trying a new approach to helping its workers improve their health.
ASH, San Diego, says the new ASH "value-based program design" will include a combination of:
– Health insurance premium incentives for employees who complete a personal health assessment.
– Additional premium incentives for nonsmoking employees who meet 2 of 3 health standards.
– Gift cards for employees who stay physically active.
– Reimbursements for employees who participate in tobacco cessation, weight management and healthy living coaching programs and buy diabetes or tobacco cessation drugs.
Employees can get a 5% discount on health insurance premiums simply for filling out the personal health assessments, and meeting 2 of the 3 health standards goals can cut another 5% off of premiums. The 3 goals are maintaining a body mass index of 20 to 29; maintaining a healthy blood pressure of 140/90 mmHg or lower, and maintaining total cholesterol of 200 mg/dL or lower.
To get the physical activity incentive, employees must record at least 500,000 steps per quarter or get a half hour of intensive exercise for at least 63 days per quarter. An employee who meets the activity goal can get a $100 gift card each quarter.
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