Regular physical activity offers numerous health benefits to participants – and that can translate into real savings for employers and payers.
Our fitness reimbursement program offers a turn-key solution for engaging employees in a physical fitness program. By providing participants with monetary incentives for physical activity, the fitness reimbursement program can increase fitness participation and reduce the health care costs associated with an inactive population.
Unlike some models that reimburse members for gym membership, our fitness reimbursement program incentivizes participation in physical activities. Members simply enroll at a participating fitness center or Y and swipe their card or key each time they visit the fitness facility. For every month in which they visit the facility the prescribed number of times, they receive a financial incentive.
Benefits of Regular Physical Exercise
- Decreases risk of coronary heart disease1
- Decreases mortality from cardiovascular diseases1
- Decreases risk of developing hypertension and reduces blood pressure among people with hypertension1
- Increases bone density and improves joint health among people with osteoarthritis1
- Relieves symptoms of depression and anxiety and improves psychological well-being1
- Increases energy level2
- Improves sleep patterns2
Features
- Large nationwide network of fitness facilities, including Curves, Snap Fitness, Life Time Fitness, Anytime Fitness and the Y
- All program management and administration provided by OptumHealth
- Can be offered to employees and spouses
- Flexible participation thresholds and reimbursement schedules
Benefits
The fitness reimbursement program:
- Can increase fitness participation by as much as 300%3
- Helps employers reduce the health care costs associated with an inactive population
- Is a positive step in moving from a disease-centered model towards a health-based strategy
- Offers employers a turn-key solution for engaging employees in a physical fitness program
- Rewards physical activity participation, not fitness facility membership
- Provides a low-cost, high-value benefit for employees
1U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Physical Activity and Health: A Report of the Surgeon General. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion)
2Exercise: 7 benefits of regular physical activity, by Mayo Clinic Staff, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, July 25, 2009
3 Participation statistics based on feedback from third-party gym reimbursement administrators