title: The association between health assessment-derived summary health scores and health care costs.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study the association between summary health scores and health care costs in the following year.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eligible employees (N = 20,662) completed a health assessment (HA) which provided an overall summary health score (THPS) and subscores for Modifiable Health Potential (MHPS), Quality of Life (QOLS), and Non-Modifiable Health Potential (NMHPS). Annual health care costs were predicted using ordinary least square regression models for THPS, MHPS, and QOLS.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Single point increments in THPS, MHPS, and QOLS were associated with $14.00, $5.40, and $49.70 lower health care costs in the following year, respectively.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  HA-derived lifestyle-related modifiable health factors as well as factors related to quality of life expressed as summary health scores are associated with health care costs in the following year.
authors.affiliation: HealthPartners, Minneapolis, MN 55440, USA. Nico.p.pronk@healthpartners.com
authors.forename: Nicolaas P
authors.initials: NP
authors.lastname: Pronk
authors.forename: Marcia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lowry
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Maciosek
authors.forename: Jason
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gallagher
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D040242:Risk Reduction Behavior; D055815:Young Adult