"We know that a significant portion of health care costs are related to personal behaviors, such as smoking, poor nutrition and sedentary lifestyles. With our Solaura portfolio of products and services, we're helping to empower consumers through unique and robust online tools and incentives that encourage and reward them for choosing to live healthier lifestyles," Casey said.
Early evidence about consumer-driven health plans points to increased healthy behaviors by those who have chosen a health reimbursement account, health savings account, or health incentive account. According to a recently completed study by Knowledge Networks (August, 2007), consumers in these plans were found to be:
-- 17 percent more likely to participate in an exercise program than those
enrolled in non-CDHP programs
-- 15 percent more likely to participate in a stress management program
-- 14 percent more likely to participate in a smoking cessation program
-- 29 percent more likely to save for future medical expenses
-- 20 percent more likely to track their health care expenses
Additionally, consumers with chronic conditions are more likely to
follow their treatment regimens. According to UniCare medical director
Robert Sorrenti, M.D., "This is a telling figure for both members and their
employees - because consumers with these conditions (such as diabetes or
high blood pressure) generally have complex, sometimes
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| SOURCE UniCare Copyright©2007 PR Newswire. All rights reserved |