Published:
Anthem Rewards Employers for Healthy Behaviors
Anthem Rewards Employers for Healthy Behaviors
SOUTH PORTLAND, Maine, May 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Anthem Blue Cross and Blue
Shield, in partnership with the Maine State Chamber of Commerce, is pleased to
announce that Woodenboat Publications ofBrooklin is the first small business
inMaine to qualify for a wellness discount through Chamber BlueOptions.
Woodenboat Publications will receive a 2 percent discount on its health
insurance premium as a result of its employees participating in specific
wellness activities.
The wellness discount offered through the Chamber BlueOptions program is
for small business groups that have 25-50 enrolled employees. The criteria for
the wellness discount are that 75 percent of eligible employees complete a
health risk assessment on-line and 25 percent of the employees participate in
Anthem Rewards. The discount is earned after the business has participated in
the program for one year, at the time of renewal of the Chamber BlueOptions.
Anthem Rewards is a program that rewards members who log in and record
their physical activity to earn points that can be redeemed for free gifts.
Recent studies show that employees who participate in physical activity
increase their energy and productivity levels and take fewer sick days.
"There is a growing awareness in the business community about the
importance of wellness in controlling health care cost increases," said Anthem
President Dan Corcoran. "This first-in-Maine wellness credit helpsMaine's
small businesses begin the conversation with their employees about the
importance that lifestyle choices play in achieving good health." Corcoran
noted that obesity, tobacco use, and a lack of physical activity all
contribute greatly to health care costs inMaine.
Employers benefit from wellness programs through healthier, more
productive and more satisfied employees.
The wellness discount required Maine Bureau of Insurance approval at the
time that the Chamber BlueOptions product was approved for sale inMaine.
"Many small businesses want to increase awareness of the importance of
wellness," Corcoran said, "and we believe our wellness discount will inspire
moreMaine small businesses to actively engage their employees in these
discussions."
Chamber BlueOptions is a suite of seven insurance products. Typically a
small business would have a more limited choice of insurance plans from which
their employees could choose and a requirement that 75 percent of eligible
employees participate to qualify for group coverage. The Chamber BlueOptions
product requires only 60 percent of eligible employees participate.
"We are pleased to recognize the efforts of Woodenboat Publications and
their employees to qualify for our first discount on premium for their
wellness activities," said Don Antonucci, director of Small Group sales for
Anthem. "Anthem believes that giving small businesses inMaine more insurance
options and an incentive for wellness activities makes good sense for our
company and forMaine's economy."
Chamber BlueOptions is available to local and regional chamber members
through their insurance broker or through the Web site
www.chamberblueoptions.com
About Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield inMaine
Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield is the trade name of Anthem Health Plans
ofMaine, Inc., and an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield
Association. (R)ANTHEM is a registered trademark of Anthem Insurance
Companies, Inc. The Blue Cross and Blue Shield names and symbols are
registered marks of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. Additional
information about Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield inMaine is available at
www.anthem.com .
SOURCE Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield
Copyright © 2008, PRNewswire
Copyright © 2008, NewsBlaze,
Daily NewsTags: Healthcare, Health, maine
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