Medical Mutual of Ohio Partners with Linkwell Health to Bring Can-Do Wellness Program to its Members

Initiative Encourages Positive Lifestyle Changes through Simple Steps

NEEDHAM, Mass., May 5, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Medical Mutual of Ohio, the oldest and largest Ohio-based health insurance company, has partnered with Linkwell Health, a fast-growing developer of innovative health and wellness engagement and loyalty programs, to make it easier for its members to live healthier lives.  Linkwell Health provides Medical Mutual with quarterly high value wellness offers and simple-to-follow guidance to help its more than 64,000 members with certain chronic conditions naturally integrate healthier habits into their everyday lives.

Offers include discounts on better-for-you products from popular brands such as brown rice, whole-grain pastas, low-calorie desserts and egg whites. Members also receive lifestyle tips, including simple recipes and shopping suggestions, plus lifestyle product discounts for food scales, in-home blood pressure monitors and fitness programs. These customized mailings help members make taking the first step toward a healthier lifestyle both approachable and doable.  

"Promoting healthier lifestyles is central to our mission," said Paula Sauer, Medical Mutual's Senior Vice President of Pharmacy and Care Management. "We believe that it's important to not only promote the benefits of making healthier lifestyle changes but also provide a means for our members to do so. Linkwell Health makes it easy and cost-effective for our members to transform potentially unhealthy habits into healthier ones. We are excited to be working with Linkwell Health and our members toward positive change."

"Medical Mutual has a heritage of supporting its members in making healthier lifestyle choices," said Benjamin Gardner, president and founder of Linkwell Health. "We are pleased to be partnering with Medical Mutual to provide simple, proven, 'can-do' health and wellness solutions that make it easier for members to fit better choices into their busy lives. Who doesn't go to the grocery store and debate over unhealthy food items? By providing high-value offers and realistic guidance, we help people resist temptation and we contribute to the decision of making better choices."

About Linkwell Health

Founded in 2007, Boston-based Linkwell Health (www.linkwellhealth.com) develops proven engagement programs to improve the health and wellness of Americans. The company links together health plans, better-for-you brands and retailers to encourage positive lifestyle change through simple approaches. Linkwell Health creates customized, turnkey incentive and guidance programs for health plans to distribute to their members. Targeted mailings and online solutions make it easier and more affordable for members to choose healthier options.

Contact: Mona Wetter Dolgov, [email protected] or (781) 474-5603

About Medical Mutual of Ohio

Founded in 1934, Medical Mutual of Ohio, a mutual health insurer, is the oldest and largest health insurance company based in Ohio. For more than 75 years the company has served its customers through high-quality, affordable group and personal health insurance plans, and third-party administrative services to self-insured group customers. For more information, visit the company's award-winning Web site at www.MedMutual.com.

Contact:  Ruby Gamble, [email protected] or (216) 687-7176

SOURCE Linkwell Health