With open enrollment just around the corner, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield is launching a line of health plans that will reward patients with cash for living healthy lifestyles and keeping in touch with their primary care physicians.
Maryland's largest insurer will begin offering the plans - called HealthyBlue - tomorrow for people to use beginning Oct. 1.
The plans are meant to promote preventive care. The hope is that it will result in healthier people and help drive down healthcare costs.
"If we are to keep health care affordable, it is essential that more focus be placed on keeping people healthy, not just treating them when they are sick," Chett Burrell, CareFirst president and CEO, said in a statement.
Once members enroll they choose a primary care physician and complete an online health assessment. They then have their primary care physician perform a health and wellness evaluation.
Patients who meet certain health criteria will get up to $300 for an individual or $700 for a family. The money will be paid as a gift card to be used toward a health savings account.
Patients who don't get the rewerd will work with their doctor to set up health goals. They will get the money once they meet those goals.
The plans, meant to promote preventive care, include routine visits with a primary physician at no cost, meaning patients don't have to pay a copay or deductible. Generic medications for ailments such as asthma, high blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes will also be free.