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After doing a great amount of research and due-diligence on the healthcare insurance industry, and the commercial weight-loss industry, McGuire and Rule were determined, through the use of technology, that a better program could be built to reduce self-insured employers’ healthcare costs and the costs of the employees on the plan. However, in 2003, obesity was not in the “front page” media spotlight. Obesity was certainly not recognized at that time as one of the top factors of increased healthcare costs, as it is today. Regardless of the public or media’s knowledge of the effects of obesity on healthcare costs during that time, Rule and McGuire moved forward to create a system for self-insured companies. This system not only dealt with the issue of obesity and the costs associated with it including missed work days, diabetes, cancer; but, actually motivated employees, through financial rewards, to change their lifestyle and improve their overall health.. Today’s employers find their current level of healthcare costs unsustainable. Through necessity, they are shifting more of the burden to the employees by increasing deductibles and increasing the employee’s share of the premium cost. But, this is not a long-term answer… this approach simply buys time to find a solution to the rising cost of healthcare for all. While a long-term answer to these growing costs is in the works, there are steps you can take to reduce your out of pocket expenses. A healthy lifestyle has many aspects; the 2 biggest culprits driving costs are smoking and obesity. Obesity is the most prevalent condition, 67% of a typical workforce is overweight/obese. There are approximately 90 million people on a diet at any given time. Managing weight with a shift in your lifestyle and activities is essential. Making the Right Choices
While companies like incentaHEALTH work to develop programs to reduce healthcare costs on a larger scale, we can all help contain our personal healthcare costs by taking small steps. incentaHEALTH, LLC, based in Denver, Colo., is the brainchild of co-founders Jack Rule, CEO, and Todd McGuire, CTO, who in 2002 introduced a new kind of corporate wellness program designed to be a long-term weight loss solution. It puts the emphasis on interactive participation and cash incentives to motivate employees and their families to lose weight, improve and maintain their overall health and ultimately reduce the skyrocketing healthcare costs facing corporate America today. What makes incentaHEALTH unique is its long-term motivational approach. Employees get paid for losing weight. New methods used include daily coaching plans with emails and text messages that show employees and their dependents exactly how to eat and exercise properly. Also, private state-of-the-art kiosks are used to monitor weight loss, blood pressure and body mass index (BMI). The system is proving itself in organizations across America and worldwide. About incentaHEALTH CONTACTS |
