Staying Healthy Can Pay Off, In Cash

All of us would like to spend our retirement years in good health. Fortunately, many federal health benefits plans provide incentives to stay in good health both before and after you retire.

These wellness incentives come in the form of cash or credit that can be used for qualified medical expenses or to meet insurance cost-sharing requirements—such as deductibles, copayments or coinsurance. 

To get the most out of these programs, it’s best to start them early in the year. You can earn rewards for maintaining your health and trying to improve numbers tracked in annual health screenings.

Here’s a quick roundup of some of the Federal Employee Health Benefits Program plans that offer wellness incentives.

Blue Cross Blue Shield Standard and Basic Options

What do you need to do?

• Complete a health assessment.
• Complete up to three online health coach goals in such areas as nutrition, weight management, exercise, stress and emotional health.

What do you get and how can the rewards be used?

• $50 when you complete your health assessment.
• Up to an additional $120 when you complete certain goals.
• Rewards earned will be loaded onto a wellness card. You can use these funds for qualified medical expenses.

The fine print

• All three goals must be completed within the calendar year.
• You must be 18 or older and the contract holder or spouse to earn this reward.

GEHA HDHP, Standard and High

What do you need to do?

• Register at  the GEHA HealthBalance wellness portal and start earning health rewards points.

What do you get and how can the rewards be used?

• Annual health risk assessment: $75 prepaid MasterCard
• Annual free biometric screening: $75 in health rewards points
• Health classes and activities such as weight management, stress management, smoking cessation, and tracking fitness activities provide $100 in health rewards points.
• Qualified expenses include out-of-pocket medical costs and health-related items at an online store.

The fine print

• Two family members (age 18 or older) can earn up to $250 worth of health rewards points.

GEHA Elevate and Elevate Plus

What do you need to do?

• Complete health survey: ­­$100
• First trimester prenatal appointment: ­­$150
• Annual physical: ­­$100
• Complete an online doctor visit through MDLIVE: ­$50
• Biometric screening and labs: ­$50
• Complete one online Rally coaching program: ­­$150
• Get a flu shot ­: $50
• Complete weight management program: ­$250
• Cervical cancer screening: ­$50
• Complete smoking cessation program: $250
• Breast cancer screening: $50
• Meet step goal: ­­$10/month
• Colorectal cancer screening: ­$50

What do you get and how can the rewards be used?

• Your account balance rolls over from year to year, and you can earn up to $500 annually (or $1,000 annually for two eligible family members), up to a maximum balance of $2,500 or $5,000 respectively.

• The funds can be used for medical expenses such as copays, medical, dental and vision expenses.

The fine print

• Your rewards card can be used at health care providers for eligible services as well as at stores and pharmacies with an industry standard (IIAS) checkout system that automatically verifies if an item is a qualified medical expense.
•  Transactions are usually verified automatically, but you may need to submit a receipt to verify that the transaction was for an eligible expense or service.

NALC High Option

What do you need to do?

• Complete an online health assessment that analyzes your responses and gives you a personalized plan to achieve specific health goals. 

What do you get and how can the reward be used?

• After completing the health assessment, one of the following: premiums paid for remainder of year for self only or family CignaPlus SavingsSM discount dental program; waiver of two $20 PPO medical office visit copayments (when the plan is the primary payer) incurred in the same year as the health assessment is completed; or a wearable activity tracking device (limit two devices per enrollment).

The fine print

• You must be 18 years or older to be eligible. 
• Individuals age 13 and older can access other services offered by CareAllies/Cigna.

NALC Value and Consumer-Driven Options

What do you need to do?

• Complete a health assessment.

What do you get and how can the reward be used?

• Enrollment in a discount dental program with premiums paid for the remainder of the calendar year in which you completed the health assessment.

The fine print

• Although these plans offer wellness benefits, there are no cash incentives.

MHBP Standard and Value Options

What do you need to do?

• Complete a health risk assessment and biometric screening, and take certain healthy actions to earn rewards. 

What do you get and how can the reward be used?

• A $75 credit (Standard Option) or a $50 credit (Value Plan) to a wellness fund account.

The fine print

• If you haven’t registered before, you’ll need to set up an account for each family member aged 18 or older. 
• The MHBP Consumer Option offers a wellness incentive program for members with diabetes. The program provides a $75 credit towards your calendar year deductible.

For More Information

To find out about the wellness benefits and incentives of your FEHBP plan, see the plan’s brochure, website or toll-free number. To access them, use the Office of Personnel Management’s health care plan information website.