Cleveland Clinic's wellness program could be the model for Medicare's incentive program, if last week's introduced bill becomes law. Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio) and Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) on Wednesday introduced a bill that would give seniors cash bonuses for meeting health goals, including smoking cessation, weight loss or improving high cholesterol, blood pressure and diabetes, The Plain Dealer reported. The "Better Health Rewards" is based on Cleveland Clinic's incentive program in which employees who improve their health through exercise or diet see lower health insurance premiums or rebates, according to the article. The senior incentives of up to $400 would come from Medicare, and there would be no penalties for failing to meet those voluntary goals, set with the doctor.
Cleveland Clinic CEO Delos "Toby" Cosgrove said he has discussed the concept with U.S Department of Health & Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and that she spoke favorably of it. Article