Does Health Insurance Incentivise Healthy Lifestyle Habits?

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Yes, most health insurance providers in India incentivise healthy habits with a wellness reward. In fact, as per the reports of the Indian Council of Medical Research, 56.4% of chronic illnesses in India come from unhealthy diets. Therefore, these insurers encourage policyholders to adopt healthier lifestyle habits, such as regular exercise, balanced diets, and routine health check-ups.


These benefits are mostly applied as premium discounts. But if you are wondering how exactly these incentives work? Read this guide.


What are the Types of Wellness Benefits?



  1. Wellness Reward Points: Policyholders earn points by completing activities, such as daily step tracking or undergoing regular health check-ups. These points can later be redeemed for discounts on premium products.



  1. Preventive Health Check-ups: Many plans include access to annual or periodic health screenings. With these benefits, you can detect potential health issues early and support timely medical intervention.



  1. Nutrition Counselling: With wellness benefits, you can get expert guidance on diet and nutrition to help you manage weight and improve overall health.



  1. Discount on Healthcare Costs: While using your health and wellness points, you become eligible for a variety of discounts on healthcare costs at network hospitals. For example, OPD consultations, diagnostic tests, and medications.



  1. Fitness and Lifestyle Tracking: To help you track your fitness and wellness points, most insurers have developed specialised mobile apps. It allows you to track physical activities like walking, running, and calorie burn. Thus, staying committed to fitness goals becomes a lot easier.



  1. Rewarding for Health Maintenance: In addition to personal healthcare activities, this benefit will also help you get discounts on various wellness facilities, such as gyms, sports clubs, yoga studios, and fitness centres.



  1. Teleconsultation Services: Policyholders can use wellness benefits to access online doctor consultations. This way, healthcare becomes more convenient and accessible.


How Do Wellness Benefits Work in Health Insurance?


Have a look at this example to understand how wellness benefits work:


Rahul purchases a comprehensive health insurance plan that includes wellness benefits. After purchasing the policy, he downloads his insurer’s wellness app and completes a health risk assessment. Therefore, over the last few months, he has taken over 8,000 steps per day and also has an annual health check-up.


For these activities, he earns 1000 wellness points from the insurer. Thus, under his insurance terms, at the end of his policy year, Rahul accumulates enough points to receive a 10% discount on his renewal premium. Additionally, he earns points for a free teleconsultation with a doctor and discounts on diagnostic tests.


Therefore, by actively managing his health, Rahul not only reduces his risk of illness but also lowers his insurance costs.


Final Words


With wellness rewards, health insurance providers in India are guiding individuals to make healthier choices without feeling forced.


In fact, these benefits undoubtedly transform the role of health insurance. It transforms your healthcare plans from merely covering medical expenses to a proactive lifestyle investment that supports overall well-being.