Wellness Programs: Coverage for Promoting Healthy Living
Summary
Are you looking to adopt healthy lifestyle behaviors such as regular exercise and nutritious eating but are unsure how to start? If so, you may want to explore the wellness programs offered by your employer or health insurance plan.
Wellness programs are resources designed to promote and improve health. They often involve financial incentives for workers to take part in or complete the program. They also are designed to cut healthcare costs for both workers and employers. Some examples of wellness programs include gym memberships, tobacco cessation programs, healthy lifestyle coaching, diabetes management and mindfulness programs.
There are many ways to join a wellness program:
- Ask your employer or insurer if they offer wellness programs. Information on what’s offered can be found in your employee benefits package.
- You can also join a wellness program through your individual health insurance plan. Contact your health insurance company to find out what wellness programs and benefits your health plan offers.
- If you’re out of work or not insured, you can gain access to a wellness program by enrolling in insurance. There are different ways to buy insurance. You can buy insurance coverage directly from an insurer. Or, you can buy it through the Health Insurance Marketplace (or Exchange).
It’s important to study the offered wellness programs and explore which ones make the most sense for you.
Your Action Plan: How to Take Advantage of Wellness Programs
- Ask your employer or insurer if they offer wellness programs.
- Talk with your employer or insurer to see which wellness programs they offer and what benefits and/or rewards are included.
- Think about whether you would like to take part in a health-contingent or participatory program.
- Take time to study the offered wellness programs and explore which ones make the most sense for you.
- If you’re uninsured but interested in wellness programs, think about enrolling in a health plan.