UnitedHealthcare has long sought to support the health of its members through an array of wellness programs and resources, including initiatives that combine wearable devices and financial incentives. UnitedHealthcare recently took its offerings a step further with the introduction of UnitedHealthcare Rewards, a more modern approach to wellness that may enable eligible members (and spouses) to earn up to $300 per year – and on some plans up to $1,000 per year – by completing various daily health goals and one-time activities.
The goal is to help drive a more streamlined experience that encourages members to get engaged in their health and spur participation in employer-sponsored well-being programs, which may be overlooked by some employees. In fact, despite 90% of employers offering wellness programs, only 23% of employees take advantage of them. This disconnect is something UnitedHealthcare is seeking to change, in part by simplifying the wellness program experience, meeting members where they are and delivering real value.
While some wellness programs may require members to download a separate app or visit a stand-alone website, people eligible for UnitedHealthcare Rewards are able to participate through the UnitedHealthcare app or via myuhc.com. Having access to UnitedHealthcare Rewards – along with their benefit information – in one central location is designed to make the program more streamlined and integrated than previous initiatives.
“UnitedHealthcare Rewards builds on our many years of experience designing wellness and digital health programs,” said Michael Telesky, Vice President of Sales for UnitedHealthcare of Indiana. “It is part of our annual investment of more than $5 billion in data, technology, innovation and research. Through UnitedHealthcare Rewards, we are combining wearables, digital resources, and financial incentives with the goal of helping eligible members take charge of their health.”
UnitedHealthcare Rewards aims to offer participating members with personalized and actionable steps and incentives to pursue healthy activities each day and throughout the year. This is why UnitedHealthcare Rewards uses a broad definition of wellness and incentives to help encourage members to pursue various healthy activities, including achieving 5,000 steps or more each day; completing 15 minutes or more of activity per day; tracking sleep for 14 nights; getting a biometric screening; and completing a healthy survey, among many others.
The daily activity goals can be monitored by using a compatible digital device, such as an Apple Watch, a smartphone, or an activity tracker. After completing the various healthy activities, the associated financial rewards people earn can either be added to a prepaid debit card or deposited into a health savings account for members who want help covering out-of-pockets medical costs. Some members can use their rewards to purchase digital devices too.
UnitedHealthcare Rewards is now available to a growing number of employers with fully insured plans at the start of their new plan year. Additional employers with fully insured plans will gain access later in 2023, with the goal to enable self-funded customers to purchase UnitedHealthcare Rewards in 2024.
“At its core, our goal with UnitedHealthcare Rewards is to help motivate our members to get engaged and stay engaged in their health, which may help prevent the development of chronic conditions that diminish the quality of life and increase the total cost of care,” Telesky said.
For more information about wellness programs, visit the UnitedHealthcare Rewards page.
*Financial incentives may vary by plan, including some plans being capped at $300 per member per year; incentives may be less due to limits under applicable laws.
**Receiving a prepaid debit card under this program may have tax implications. Individuals and employers should consult an appropriate tax professional to determine whether they have any tax obligations.
