Yay, Aetna and Apple! Two companies I already like and am a customer of doing good.
I'll be keeping my eye on this!
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Aetna to Provide Apple Watch to 50,000 Employees, Subsidize Cost for Customers
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Awesome! 25% discount on AW, 50% increase in my premium.
Aetna just pulled out of the majority of state health insurance marketplaces because they were not profitable there. I guess they are trying hard in 2017 to make the other jurisdictions they still operate in unprofitable too. Seriously, I understand encouraging fitness, but the basic Fitbit does that at a fraction of the cost if that is Aetna's goal. Aetna doesn't need to provide customers with the non-health related features of AW.
Also what happens when people buy b/c of the subsidy, but then get board because they were not really motivated to exerise in the first place. $ down rat hole that will be charged to Aetna's customers later on down the road. There is no free lunch here, and this does nothing to lower the real cost of health care.
But they did manage to get you to talk about them, and as I agree this will be charged back to the customer one way or another, it sounds to me like free publicity!
Haha... The catch, your Aetna health insurance and copay (deductibles) will rise. Nothing is given away for "free"
Instead of reading headlines, one should read the actual study.
Objective To test the hypothesis that, compared with a standard behavioral weight loss intervention (standard intervention), a technology-enhanced weight loss intervention (enhanced intervention) would result in greater weight loss.
Design, Setting, Participants Randomized clinical trial conducted at the University of Pittsburgh and enrolling 471 adult participants between October 2010 and October 2012, with data collection completed by December 2014.
Interventions Participants were placed on a low-calorie diet, prescribed increases in physical activity, and had group counseling sessions. At 6 months, the interventions added telephone counseling sessions, text message prompts, and access to study materials on a website. At 6 months, participants randomized to the standard intervention group initiated self-monitoring of diet and physical activity using a website, and those randomized to the enhanced intervention group were provided with a wearable device and accompanying web interface to monitor diet and physical activity.
Results Among the 471 participants randomized (body mass index [BMI], 25 to <40; age range, 18-35 years; 28.9% nonwhite, 77.2% women), 470 (233 in the standard intervention group, 237 in the enhanced intervention group) initiated the interventions as randomized, and 74.5% completed the study. For the enhanced intervention group, mean baseline weight was 96.3 kg (95% CI, 94.2-98.5) and 24-month weight 92.8 kg (95% CI, 90.6-95.0). For the standard intervention group, mean baseline weight was 95.2 kg (95% CI, 93.0-97.3) and 24-month weight was 89.3 kg (95% CI, 87.1-91.5). Weight change at 24 months differed significantly by intervention group (estimated mean weight loss, 3.5 kg [95% CI, 2.6-4.5} in the enhanced intervention group and 5.9 kg [95% CI, 5.0-6.8] in the standard intervention group; difference, 2.4 kg [95% CI, 1.0-3.7]; P = .002). Both groups had significant improvements in body composition, fitness, physical activity, and diet, with no significant difference between groups.
Conclusions and Relevance Among young adults with a BMI between 25 and less than 40, the addition of a wearable technology device to a standard behavioral intervention resulted in less weight loss over 24 months. Devices that monitor and provide feedback on physical activity may not offer an advantage over standard behavioral weight loss approaches.
http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=2553448
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So Aetna releases an app they design, for customers they give the watch to...? Do you not think they will be using the health data for their own benefit? They will quickly realize you have some condition that warrants a slight increase in insurance.
only for you out of shape people. i'll be using the Strava and other apps for my workouts
Just because you buy a fruit and vegetables doesn't mean you're going to eat them healthily.
Aetna could offer a discount for fruit and vegetable purchases. You could then take them home and deep fat fry the heck out of them, and eat them in all their greasy artery-clogging glory.
Aetna is taking a bet that for a $269 payout, that a certain percentage of people (not 100%) will take advantage of the fitness aspect and become healthier. They figure that each person might save their company like $500 on average. It won't work for everyone, but they are betting that it will work overall.
Or my health insurance company, for that matter.
It reminds me several years ago when I was with Progressive and I installed a free little device into the OBD port in my car because it supposedly would lower my premiums. Imagine my surprise, when, after having the thing in my car for six months, I got my bill in the mail and noticed that my premium was going up. This was after no tickets, accidents, or claims on my insurance.
When I called Progressive to inquire, the rep told me that the device in my car detected that I had x number of hard brakes and she rattled off a whole bunch of other statistics about my driving. Needless to say, I promptly removed the device from my car and changed car insurance carriers.
Imagine if people's health insurance premiums start going up because Aetna finds out that they're going to McDonalds too many times. I suspect that's where this is headed. Insurance companies don't give out Apple Watches unless they they've done the math and conclude that this will make them substantially more money than it costs them to provide the watches.
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I agree. This is diabolical. They most certainly want to create a data trail they can use to justify raising rates or dropping coverage. Ultimately insurance companies are wanting to use data to minimize risk as close to zero as they possibly can .... which means they only want to cover people when all they do is pay. Soon as they might need to get a payout they get dropped well ahead of time. Diabolical.... rest assured the laws will be on the side of the money whores.
LOL Oh you Canadians. We pay thousands a month in private health care. You can become a customer to get a free watch but you'll quickly see who comes out ahead
Just have to correct that misinformation, the average monthly health insurance premium for private health care for Americans is a far cry from "thousands a month," the truth is $325.00.
http://kff.org/other/state-indicato...0&sortModel={"colId":"Location","sort":"asc"}
Now back to that exciting news that the Aetna deal shows the Apple Watch is playing an increasing role in making people healthier, around the world!
Aetna is still part of the State of Florida Employee's Benefit Plan.Awesome! 25% discount on AW, 50% increase in my premium.
Aetna just pulled out of the majority of state health insurance marketplaces because they were not profitable there. I guess they are trying hard in 2017 to make the other jurisdictions they still operate in unprofitable too. Seriously, I understand encouraging fitness, but the basic Fitbit does that at a fraction of the cost if that is Aetna's goal. Aetna doesn't need to provide customers with the non-health related features of AW.
Also what happens when people buy b/c of the subsidy, but then get board because they were not really motivated to exerise in the first place. $ down rat hole that will be charged to Aetna's customers later on down the road. There is no free lunch here, and this does nothing to lower the real cost of health care.
The aWatch has its fans & detractors, but who in their right mind would think that everyone wants to wear that behemoth on their wrist? (and charge it every night)
WTF? Aetna won't have access to anything on the watch...unless you install a related app. You don't have to share anything with Apple. Aetna is not an evil corporation looking only to make a profit. It amazes me how much people like you have been brainwashed (by the liberal left and media) into thinking every business is out to get you. If these companies didn't exist you wouldn't have the standard of living that you do. Be thankful you have the option to purchase such an amazing technologically advanced device.
Well, the cheapest plan in Aetna is $280 a month, cheaper than that are useless. So... guess who is paying for your Apple Watch?
This is speculation. Apple doesn't roll like that. Have you ever seen any preinstalled carrier crapware on an iPhone? If it were an android wear watch that might be different...
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You apparently don't understand the Apple philosophy or how Apple products work so why are you commenting? You are in control of your Apple products.
Insurance company Aetna today announced a major health initiative centered on the iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch, which will see Aetna subsidizing the cost of the Apple Watch for both large employers and individual customers.
Starting this fall during open enrollment season, Aetna will subsidize "a signficant portion" of the Apple Watch cost and will offer monthly payroll deductions to cover the remaining cost.
Aetna also plans to provide Apple Watches at no cost to all of its nearly 50,000 employees as part of a wellness reimbursement program to encourage them to live healthier lives.Aetna plans to develop several iOS health initiatives with "support" from Apple, debuting "deeply integrated" health apps for the iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch that will be available to all Aetna customers.
According to Aetna, these apps will "simplify the healthcare process" with features like care management to guide customers through a new diagnosis or a medication, medication reminders and tools for easy refills, quick contact with doctors, integration with Apple Wallet for paying bills and checking deductibles, and tools to help Aetna members get the most out of their insurance benefits.
Aetna's health-related apps will be available starting in early 2017, but the Apple Watch initiative will begin in 2016. Aetna has not detailed how much of the cost will be subsidized or which Apple Watch models will be available to subscribers.
Article Link: Aetna to Provide Apple Watch to 50,000 Employees, Subsidize Cost for Customers
Thereby making the lame Apple Watch seem considerably more popular than it really is.
That's funny
, I think.....? While this move by Aetna appears to be well-intentioned and to promote a healthy lifestyle, all of which benefits the AW users as well as Aetna themselves in reduced claims or resultant lower payouts. That's the good part.
But are they going to be able to collect 'lifestyle information' that can be used subsequent to any claims, to deny or abrogate such claims, or even just increase premiums for those not leading what they consider to be healthy, active lifestyles? And if they're not able to actively collect such info, they could certainly obtain it by court order if and when a substantial claim arises.
Like a lot of digitally stored information: a little bit of a double edged sword once again.
Okay, first off, "profit before all else" is a myth. Don't perpetuate it.
Altruism? Your word, not mine. You admit that "helping customers" could, in fact, be part of their nefarious scheme to control the world, which does not deny they are, in fact, helping customers, but your paranoia has ignored the question of how the insurance company is to suck the personal information off the Apple Watch.
Now, imagine for a moment if you would, someone at the Insurance Company saying "Wow, we pay a lot out for unnecessary meds and many of our customers are having trouble figuring out when and how to take medicines effectively to the detriment of their health (and our bottom line Bwwhahahaha). Imagine finding a solution that could cut down on these loses." Sure, this is pure evil genius, but it does benefit the customer.
I would also argue that Apple is an excellent example of a company that chooses to do the right thing because in the end they know the company and it's customers will benefit even though it may not be immediately obvious to the layman (or stock holders) how that works. Their renewable energy initiatives come to mind.
It may just be that the world is not as evil as you have been told it is.
As someone who exercises regularly, and considerably more than the average American (I realize these forums aren't US specific, but since Aetna is a US company), I actually have no issue with my insurer raising premiums for those who do not take care of themselves. Healthcare in America is ridiculously expensive for multiple reasons, but people not taking ownership of their own well-being and fitness is one of them.
In addition, car carriers offer discounts for drivers who permit devices to be installed in the vehicle, to monitor driving habits. Discounts are granted if the vehicle is driven responsibly and safely. I'd imagine something similar could be rolled out for health insurance, and I would be all for it. If I'm living a healthier lifestyle, I shouldn't pay as much in health insurance than someone who is more likely at risk for a heart attack, because they don't exercise. I'm well aware some health-related items are out of one's control, such as genetics and accidents, but this would be a step in the right direction in my book.
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So your employer doesn't provide a smartphone?