My Health RewardsSMby Medica Generates Greater Understanding of Health While Rewarding Members with Better Health and Financial Incentives
MINNETONKA, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Medica members enrolled in the value-based program My Health Rewards by MedicaSM are learning that their participation can result in better health as well as financial rewards. Meanwhile, engagement rates in the program demonstrate that consumers can be motivated to make positive changes in their health behaviors. The program was introduced at the beginning of 2011 to Medica members who receive their coverage from employers.
My Health Rewards by Medica provides rewards for members who complete health actions such as online health and wellness programs, age/gender preventive cancer screening and biometric screening. Rewards range from gift cards to changes in premium contributions by employers and plan design enhancements. Each employer offering the program decides how to structure the rewards.
“My Health Rewards by Medica proves that when employers provide encouragement and motivation, employees will engage in positive health actions,” said John Naylor, Medica vice president and general manager of commercial sales, renewals and account services. “Not only are we seeing high levels of engagement in the program, but through the personalization the program provides our members are seeing real benefits to their health.”
The health activities include completing a health assessment and biometric screening, reading health topics and setting health goals. Eligible members also earn rewards for participating in Medica’s health coaching program. During the first nine months of the program, 60 percent of members completed the health assessment while 40 percent completed health topics and set health goals. Those participation rates are 7.5 times higher for the health assessment and eight times higher for the health topics and goals than participation rates in programs that offer fewer rewards. About a third of eligible members, 34 percent, also completed biometric screening and 14 percent participated in health coaching.
More importantly, Medica members are benefiting from improved health as a result of their participation in the program.
Personal Stories
The goal of My Health Rewards by Medica is to help members better understand their health and the things they can do to improve it. Members have written Medica with their experiences with the program.
Said one: “By taking the initial health assessment to get the gift card, the health and wellness site has given me opportunities to learn more about my own health issues and other topics I'm curious about. I started working with a health coach and found that to be an instrumental tool for change in my life. She has helped me with understanding my own motivations, thinking processes regarding my health and she's encouraged me to continue to progress in a positive way, to some new goals.
“I applaud Medica's efforts to offer the health and wellness site to customers to spur insight and change in people's lives. Also the free health coaching has been terrific in finding a person who will support my change and growth. Thank you very much.”
Additional comments from members are below.
About Medica
Medica is a health insurance company headquartered in Minneapolis and active in the Upper Midwest. With nearly 1.67 million members, the non-profit company provides health care coverage in the employer, individual, Medicaid, Medicare and Medicare Part D markets in Minnesota and a growing number of counties in North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin. Medica also offers national network coverage to employers who also have employees outside the Medica regional network.
Medica has the highest accreditation status, Excellent, from the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA®) for its Minnesota Medicaid HMO plans and commercial health plans in Minnesota and North Dakota. Medica’s vision is to become the community’s health plan of choice, trusted for its integrity, respected for its service, and admired for its commitment to innovation and efficiency.
My Health Rewards by Medica – Comments from Members
“After my health assessment I decided to take more control of my health and exercise habits. So far I have lost 20 pounds and continuing to improve my health.”
“After reviewing my results to the health survey, I realized I really needed to pay more attention to my habits. I joined a gym and began eating healthier foods. I have gotten in much better shape, have more energy and have returned to studying Tae Kwon Do.”
“After taking the health assessment and some of the challenges I was encouraged to make an appointment with my doctor for my yearly physical, menu planning, and colonoscopy that I have been putting off for over 2 years. The center has given me very good information and support in staying healthy.”
“I have found many habits that I didn't really realize I had that were unhealthy...it has helped me to recognize what I need to work on! :)”
“I participated in the coaching after completing the assessment and goal setting. My goal was to change my evening routine by first doing 10 minutes a night of a physical, domestic, or social activity. I ended up joining a health club where I participate three or four times a week, and have added social activities that include physical recreation. I not only completed my goal, but surpassed it. The coaching really helped as I had significant out-of-the normal stress occur both at work and in my marriage during the coaching process. The coaching helped my to keep on track and make the changes I wanted to even during the stressful upsets.”
“I started using mymedica in January 2011 to take the health assessment and to set personal goals for myself along with journaling my progress. To date I have lost around 70 pounds through eating right and exercise! This website has been a very helpful tool in my journey to a healthier lifestyle.”
“I started with curiosity regarding my health assessment and thought the gift card incentive pushed me over the edge and made me log on to try it. I am happy I did. My husband has high cholesterol -- I liked using this tool to learn more about his health issues. I made him enroll and as he read through several health topics, it forced him to sit & focus on his health. Since then we've been eating much healthier as a family and he has lost 15 pounds.”
“I was motivated to go to the doctors’ office and have a yearly physical done. I found out that I have some things to work on to help restore my health to a better level. The website helped me get started! Thank you.”
“I went in to complete my health assessment and started reading the health topics. I started journaling and setting goals. Since then, I have met most of those goals, which includes joining Weight Watchers and a gym and working with a personal trainer. I've lost 18 pounds since then and it all started because I downloaded some info from the health topics area and stuck them to my fridge and even got scared reading them...and here I am. I have a lot more weight to lose, but I would truly say it started with your site. I started tracking what I ate (ideas from your site) and found out just how much salt, fat, etc. I was ingesting on a daily basis. Yikes - it scared me. I also discovered how sedentary I really was - bigger Yikes! Setting goals and Journaling was a great help, cuz I felt like I was just writing a friend and the whole ugly truth came out in written form that I couldn't ignore. I'm not just saying this. I began Weight Watchers because it was a lot like the stuff on your site. About writing down what you eat and do. About how to change eating habits, instead of starving yourself. It works. And the stuff on your site works if someone really wants help. I did, but didn't realize how ready I was to make changes until I went to the wellness center. I'm thinking about doing the coaching thing, because I have a good foundation with the personal trainer, but can't afford it much longer. So the coaching would be a commitment that would keep me on target and moving along. Sorry so long. Thanks - and I'll go update my stuff soon.”
“My daughter, a junior in college, is used to mom taking care of the medical stuff. I suggested she use mymedica Health and Wellness Center. She logged in, took the health assessment, played around a little and thought, ok that's nice. Then she got the gift card...she has since joined the YMCA, signed up with a health coach and is starting down the path of better health. Sometimes, all it takes is one little motivator, and for her, the personalized webpage and information that is exclusively for her did it.”
“Since taking my original health survey, I have increased my fruit and vegetable intake to consistently eat 5-7 servings per day, started flossing my teeth every day, increased my dairy servings to recommended levels, and reduced my alcohol intake to recommended levels. I think this would likely give me a score of 100 on the old survey, because I improved the three items that were not in line with the best health practices.”
“When beginning the Health and Wellness program, I was full of questions about how to get past the symptoms of Asthma and COPD and auto-immune problems I was having. I was discouraged and very tired. Going through the questions and tips for better health helped me set goals that have improved my stamina and choices for daily living and I am now feeling much better and have joined an exercise class for senior citizens and am enjoying exploring classes in watercolor. The health wellness coach did a wonderful job of helping get a balanced perspective on my goals for daily living. The Health Wellness Nurse has done a great job in informing me about the medications prescribed by my doctors and advising on my condition and what type of doctors would be best suited for me. I am much more confident about my condition and how to be assertive with my care. Thank you, this is a wonderful program.”
“Within the past year, PRIOR to completing the Personal Health Profile to earn a premium/co-pay reduction, I had enrolled in and completed 9 months of working with a Health Coach. I was already trying to be more pro-active about my health; working with my physician; getting better educated about my health and making healthier choices. I thought working with a health coach might be a good additional motivator for me. Working with Margaret, my health coach, was a very positive experience that I would recommend to anyone. Margaret turned me on to several web pages that have been very helpful…I've lost a total of 40+ pounds -- with almost half of that being while working with Margaret in the past year.”
CONTACT:
Medica
Greg Bury, 952-992-8437
[email protected]
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