Do Wellness Incentive Programs Improve Health and Reduce Costs?

Source: The Commonwealth Fund, May 29, 2012 A new Commonwealth Fund issue brief examines a study by Harald Schmidt and colleagues evaluating a German wellness program. While German wellness programs show cost-saving potential, participation in the programs is less likely among those with low incomes or poor health. As the Affordable Care Act allows for incentive increases in employer wellness programs, these researchers caution that the programs should be monitored very carefully.