When Megan Keller tried her first obstacle course race in 2018, she had no idea how much the new physical challenge would improve her health and inspire her to overcome hurdles during everyday life.
“You're trying things that you wouldn't normally do, you know, in a normal day. You're climbing ropes, you're flipping tires, you're going under mud walls, you're going under the water,” Megan said.
As Megan clocked miles training for another obstacle race, she realized she could also take an extra step toward improved health and financial well-being by joining UnitedHealthcare Motion®, a wearable device walking program that may enable eligible members to earn up to $4 per day to help cover out-of-pocket medical expenses.*
UnitedHealthcare Motion® enables eligible members to receive a certain wearable device at no additional cost and earn more than $1,000 per year by meeting certain daily walking goals.* Eligible individuals can use their own wearable – if compatible with the program – or select from a range of buy-up options, including Apple Watch® or devices from Fitbit, Garmin or Samsung, to help take charge of their health, manage chronic conditions and save money. The program is an option for employers in most markets across the country.
“Megan was a great testament for us to show us that this may be a significant motivator for people to engage with their health plan,” said Mike Telesky, UnitedHealthcare VP Sales of Northwest Indiana and Illinois. “UnitedHealthcare Motion is a great program because it enables an organization to offer a health savings account, and let the members earn incentives to help cover their deductible depending upon how many steps they walk per day, and the intensity of the steps they walk in a day.”
Among eligible members, more than 45 percent of people participated in UnitedHealthcare Motion, and among them, nearly 60 percent stayed active for at least six months. As part of the program, participants walk an average of nearly 12,000 steps each day.**
Megan said by meeting her daily walking goals, she earned incentives to help cover out-of-pocket medical expenses, and she found the rewards came with an added purpose.
“I want to be healthy. I want to live forever, and you only get one body, so you might as well take care of it,” she said. “You know, you get to that hill and you don't want to go up it because you're fatigued and you think, why should I give up?”
UnitedHealthcare Motion is an option in most markets for employers with self-funded and fully insured health plans across the country. The program may enable employees to earn up to $4 per day in financial incentives based on achieving the FIT goals, which stands for:
- Frequency: complete 500 steps within seven minutes six times per day, at least an hour apart;
- Intensity: complete 3,000 steps within 30 minutes; and
- Tenacity: complete 10,000 total steps each day.
The program’s FIT targets are set in the UnitedHealthcare Motion app, which integrates with wearable devices to measure progress toward the daily goals.
Apple Watch is a registered trademark of Apple, Inc.
*Financial incentives may be less due to limits under applicable laws.
**All UnitedHealthcare Motion results based on 2018 internal analysis of program participants
UnitedHealthcare Motion is a voluntary program. The information provided under this program is for general informational purposes only and is not intended to be nor should be construed as medical advice. You should consult an appropriate health care professional before beginning any exercise program and/or to determine what may be right for you. Receiving an activity tracker and/or activation credit may have tax implications. You should consult an appropriate tax professional to determine if you have any tax obligations from receiving an activity tracker and/or activation credit under this program, as applicable. If any fraudulent activity is detected (e.g., misrepresented physical activity), you may be suspended and/or terminated from the program. If you are unable to meet a standard related to health factor to receive a reward under this program, you might qualify for an opportunity to receive the reward by different means. Contact us by email (will.shanley@uhc.com) and we will work with you (and, if necessary, your doctor) to find another way for you to earn the same reward.
Insurance coverage provided by or through UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company or its affiliates. Administrative services provided by United HealthCare Services, Inc. or their affiliates.