Ohio employers are among the first nationwide with access to new wellness wearable technology. Today Qualcomm and United Healthcare announced a new program where employees can earn up to $1,460 dollars a year by meeting certain goals like the number of daily steps they take.
Employers get premium savings from the insurance company based on the number of participants and their results. The employees and their spouses get the wellness trackers at no cost. The device is worn on the wrist and tracks your steps, the intensity of your walking and your daily activity.
“United Healthcare Motion brings together wearable technology, telemedicine and wellness incentives to empower employees to take charge of their health, while enabling employers to more effectively manage health care costs,” said Sam Ho, M.D., chief medical officer of United Healthcare. “Employees can improve their health by walking each day and earn financial rewards at the same time, using secure technology that is simple, intuitive and convenient.”
Experts say fitness trackers such as the Fitbit, are playing a bigger role in corporate wellness programs with U.S employer expected to incorporate 13 million wearable devices into the workforce by 2018.
