Trends in Biometric Health Indices Within an Employer-Sponsored Wellness Program With Outcome-Based Incentives.

PURPOSE: To evaluate changes in employees' biometrics over time relative to outcome-based incentive thresholds.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort analysis of biometric screening participants (n = 26 388).

SETTING

Large employer primarily in Western United States.

PARTICIPANTS

Office, retail, and distribution workforce.

INTERVENTION: A voluntary outcome-based biometric screening program, incentivized with health insurance premium discounts.

MEASURES: Body mass index (BMI), cholesterol, blood glucose, blood pressure, and nicotine.

ANALYSIS: Followed were participants from their first year of participation, evaluating changes in measures.

RESULTS

On average, participants who did not meet the incentive threshold at baseline decreased their BMI (1%), glucose (8%), blood pressure (systolic 9%, diastolic 8%), and total cholesterol (8%) by year 2 with improvements generally sustained or continued during each additional year of participation.

CONCLUSION

On average, individuals at high health risk who participated in a financially incentivized biometric assessment program improved their health indices over time. Further research is needed to understand key determinants that drive health improvement indicated here.