Computerized health behavior reward system and method

Abstract

A computerized health behavior reward system and method is disclosed. Engagement of rewards program members is based on rewards for participation in a variety of health activities. Health activities are recommended to members based on demographic and health profile information and include general health activities such as participation in fitness programs as well as disease management and clinical programs, educational campaigns, online, interactive, and social networking activities, and community based activities. Each activity may relate to a particular participation event so that members are rewarded for enrolling in a program as well as for ongoing participation. Members earn points for each health activity in which they participate. The points are accumulated in a rewards account accessible from a web site portal and can be redeemed. The computerized system and method provides flexibility to allow a reward program sponsor to respond to different needs of the rewards program population at the consumer level.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12 / 752,765, filed Apr. 1, 2010, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,719,056, issued May 6, 2014, titled SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR USING REWARDS TO ENCOURAGE HEALTHY BEHAVIOR and is a non-provisional patent application claiming the priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61 / 165,649, filed Apr. 1, 2009, titled SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR USING REWARDS TO ENCOURAGE HEALTHY BEHAVIOR, both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates generally to computerized reward program systems and methods. In particular, the disclosed embodiment is a computerized health behavior reward system and method for offering and tracking rewards for a member population to encourage healthy behaviors.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Preventable illnesses and accidents constitute a large percentage of US healthcare costs...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The computerized health behavior reward system allows a sponsor to create a reward program that responds to the needs of an insured population. The program offers both general and specialized health activities for all members. The more a member participates in the activities, the greater the reward. Overall, this system provides flexibility for the sponsor to create a program that promotes health and engagement for the entire insured population.

Problems solved by technology

Preventable illnesses and accidents constitute a large percentage of US healthcare costs.

Although many companies have adopted wellness incentive or reward programs to reward individuals for participation in various healthy activities, typically the various health activities are not appropriate for all individuals.

Other individuals may not understand the health benefits of the programs.

For some individuals, the availability of a health benefit may simply not be enough to encourage them to participate, even if the program is appropriate.

Finally, when presented with so many different programs and options, they may not understand which programs actually meet their needs and therefore, simply choose not to participate at all.

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