Under the national UnitedHealthcare Motion wellness program, eligible plan members will now gain access to Samsung and Garmin wearables at no additional cost or through preferred prices.
The devices are connected with Qualcomm’s platform and track how members are performing on specific daily exercise metrics. Members with self-funded and fully insured plans can earn $1,000-plus annually for reaching required step thresholds.
UnitedHealthcare is one of several national insurers adding wearables to their wellness programs. In August, officials from Apple and Aetna reportedly held a series of secret negotiations to discuss expanding the Apple Watch to Aetna insurance customers.
More articles on payer issues:
Aetna CEO on healthcare sign-ups: ‘I have someone else do it for me, because I can’t take it’
CMS owes insurers $12B+ in risk corridors payments: 4 things to know
Anthem president to Hartford HealthCare CEO: It’s time for compromise
