Insurers Expand Wellness Offerings for Businesses

Health insurers in California are beginning to offer employers wellness programs and other tools aimed at wellness and preventive care, the East Bay Business Times reports. Such products that traditionally were used for chronic disease management increasingly are being marketed to healthy consumers, according to the Times.

For example, three HMOs currently are negotiating contracts with CalPERS to offer new wellness initiatives. Summaries of those offerings appear below.

Blue Shield of California

Blue Shield of California in 2008 will begin providing a telephonic health coaching wellness program. The program will complement the Healthy Lifestyle Rewards program, which includes a health risk assessment and six-week lifestyle modification modules on fitness, nutrition and other areas.

The company also is considering on-site services, such as screenings.

Kaiser Permanente

Kaiser Permanente will begin offering classes at work sites for its members. The HMO also is considering incentive-based offerings for large employer groups.

Kaiser already offers employers access to electronic health records and hosts Web-based and live programs, including women's health and fitness, at each of its medical centers.

Western Health Advantage

Western Health Advantage, a regional health plan, in August will begin offering:

A health risk assessment;
Online tools; and
One-on-one coaching for smoking cessation, weight management and other issues (Hogarth, East Bay Business Times, 6/8).

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