Incentive-based Fitness Programs Reduce Health Costs, Study Shows

Incentive-based health promotion programs enhance physical wellness and reduce healthcare costs, according to a study released today.

Specifically, members who participated in fitness-related activities within an incentive-based health insurance wellness program had significantly lower health costs, according to the study published in the January/February issue of American Journal of Health Promotion.

Participants who were active in fitness activities also were less frequently admitted to a hospital and the length of stay was significantly less, the study showed.

As employers struggle with increasing healthcare costs and a prevalence of chronic diseases, "more and more are turning to population health management programs as a solution," says Arthur C. Carlos, CEO of the Vitality Group, which sponsored the study. The Vitality Group is a member of Discovery Health, South Africa’s largest private insurer. In the U.S., the Vitality Group runs an independent health improvement program.

"Incentive-based wellness programs are designed to change behaviors and improve the health of their members," Carlos says. "By improving health in a sustainable way, it is possible to reduce costs over the long-term."

The study examined medical claims over a year filed by nearly 950,000 adult members of Discovery Health. Of the members, more than 62% registered for Vitality, an incentive and reward-based health promotion program offered by Discovery Health to its members.

Health promotion programs are receiving "renewed attention with the advent of consumer-driven health plans," the study noted. "These new-generation health plans offer member-controlled health savings accounts, with the unique feature of carrying balances forward from year to year, thereby encouraging personal responsibility and promoting healthy behaviors," according to the study.

Conclusive evidence for "the long-term effectiveness of incentive-based health promotions programs is lacking," according to the study, adding that more research needs to be carried out. "Knowledge of healthy practices and providing access to wellness programs does not necessarily translate into increased participation in these programs."

"The rise in incidence of chronic disease and associated healthcare costs is unsustainable," says Deepak N. Patel, MD, University of Capetown and senior clinical specialist for Discovery Health. "Although more research will need to be done, this study is encouraging as it shows a positive correlation between engagement in health promotion and lower healthcare costs."

The research showed that "not only were costs per member decreased based on activity level, but the same pattern was demonstrated for admission rates," according to a Vitality press statement.