By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Medicaid to Fund ‘Stay-Healthy’ Incentive Programs
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Policy & Law > Public Health > Medicaid to Fund ‘Stay-Healthy’ Incentive Programs
Policy & LawPublic Health

Medicaid to Fund ‘Stay-Healthy’ Incentive Programs

GlennLaffel
GlennLaffel
Share
3 Min Read
SHARE

In recent years, scientists have shown that financial incentives can drive short-term behavioral changes that are associated with improved health; things like losing weight and quitting cigarettes, for example. The rewards in these studies include direct cash incentives, gift cards and so on.

Recently, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services announced plans to leverage this strategy with a $100 million initiative that permits states to offer incentives to Medicaid enrollees for adopting healthy behaviors.

Called a “demonstration program,” the CMS initiative is designed to figure out which strategies produce long-term behavioral changes. It should also help CMS determine the extent to which special populations (like adults with disabilities or children with special needs) can participate in the program, the level of satisfaction with the program, and the administrative costs incurred by State agencies that administer the program.

The program is funded by the new health care law (known as the Affordable Care Act). It invites each state to submit one proposal . Grant Applications are due to CMS by May 2, 2011. There are no state cost-sharing requirements.

More Read

Nixed NHS Procedures Spark Concern for Varicose Vein Patients
Alzheimer’s Preventable with Lifestyle Changes
What Are the Main Forms of Hearing Loss in Adults?
Meaningful Use on the Red Carpet
New IV Bag Designed for Relief Workers Can Sterilize Water

According to CMS, the proposals must be “comprehensive, evidence-based, widely available, and easily accessible.” When states prepare their proposals, CMS recommends that they rely on evidence-based research which can be found in documents like the Guide to Community Preventive Services, the Guide to Clinical Preventive Services, and the National Registry of Evidence-based Programs.

“Keeping people healthy is an important goal of the Affordable Care Act,” HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius said in a press release. “One way to reach that goal is to encourage all Americans to make better choices about diet, exercise and smoking to avoid potentially disastrous outcomes down the road like heart disease, cancer or diabetes.”

The incentive program targets behaviors that trigger some of the most expensive chronic conditions that affect Medicaid beneficiaries. For instance:

– Cigarette smoking causes 430,000 deaths per year and is the largest preventable cause of morbidity and mortality in the US.

– Overweight and obesity increase the likelihood of cardiovascular disease, cancer, arthritis, all-cause disability and other health problems. Nearly one third of US adults are obese, and the condition contributes to about 300,000 deaths per year. In 2008, obesity cost the US health system about $147 billion.

– Diabetes cost the US health system about $116 billion in 2007. Nearly 24 million Americans have the disease.

TAGGED:Medicaidpublic health
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

a woman walking on the hallway
6 Easy Healthcare Ways to Sit Less and Move More Every Day
Health
September 9, 2025
Clinical Expertise
Healthcare at a Crossroads: Why Leadership Matters More Than Ever
Global Healthcare
September 9, 2025
travel nurse in north carolina
Balancing Speed and Scope: Choosing the Nursing Degree That Fits Your Goals
Nursing
September 1, 2025
intimacy
How to Keep Intimacy Comfortable as You Age
Relationship and Lifestyle Senior Care
September 1, 2025

You Might also Like

Deficit and Debt Politics

September 21, 2011

Walmart, Lowe’s Offer Employees No-Cost Joint Replacements at 4 Hospitals

October 12, 2013
patient engagement
BusinesseHealthHealth Reform

How to Engage Patients: Start with Strategic Planning

August 18, 2013

The Elephant in the Room: Discussing Obesity with the Doctor

March 1, 2011
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?