Effects of an incentive-based online physical activity intervention on health care costs.
OBJECTIVE
To test whether participation in an incentive-based online physical activity program for employees was associated with a moderation in health care costs.


METHODS
Health care claims trends from 2003 to 2005 were analyzed among a matched sample of participants and nonparticipants. Medical and pharmacy costs, hospital inpatient costs, and emergency room costs were examined.


RESULTS
The average annual health care costs for participants increased by $291 per year compared with an increase of $360 for nonparticipants (P = 0.09). Higher levels of participation were associated with smaller increases in health care costs. Participants had a significantly smaller increase in inpatient hospital costs (+$20 vs +$119), heart disease costs ($-8 vs $46), and diabetic costs (+$1 vs +$16) compared with nonparticipants.


CONCLUSIONS
Participation in an online employee physical activity intervention was associated with smaller increases in health care costs compared to nonparticipants.
Lu
Chifung
C
Division of Kinesiology, University of Michigan Health Management Research Center, Ann Arbor, Mich 48104-1689, USA.
Schultz
Alyssa B
AB
Sill
Stewart
S
Petersen
Ruth
R
Young
Joyce M
JM
Edington
Dee W
DW
D000328:Adult; D002487:Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, U.S.; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D017048:Health Care Costs / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007348:Insurance, Health; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D009043:Motor Activity; D016272:Occupational Health / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012201:Reward; D014481:United States; D014584:User-Computer Interface