Several groups have recently released reports on the expanding science of using incentives and benefit design to encourage consumer involvement in health and lower costs.
Any health reform needs to ensure that there are adequate incentives to motivate individuals to take responsibility for lifestyle decisions that affect health.
Patient cost sharing reduces utilization, but appears to limit use of appropriate as well as inappropriate care.
Many unions and some disease advocacy groups are objecting to the wellness and prevention provisions proposed in some health reform measures. In a USA Today article, the difficulties of our “system” once again point out the impediments to improvement.
Safeway Inc. has received a great deal attention around its health care plan and apparent cost savings. The essence of the plan is putting employees and their dependents directly at financial risk for improvements in certain key health-related behaviors.
In informal responses to inquiries about the use of health risk assessments and wellness incentives, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission has indicated that it will use the Americans with Disabilities Act and its general powers to limit the ability of employers to enact programs designed to improve the health of employee populations and control health care costs.