Modern Healthcare February 26, 2018
Seniors in wellness programs targeting obesity, falling and chronic conditions are not sparking healthcare spending decreases, according to a federal analysis released Friday.
The Affordable Care Act required the CMS conduct an independent evaluation of wellness programs that targeted various health conditions experienced by Medicare beneficiaries, and that study found no evidence of cost savings.
“Utilization and expenditures actually increased among (chronic-care management) program participants,” the report said.
The findings are based on spending data for Medicare enrollees in fall prevention, weight loss and chronic care initiatives. The CMS followed beneficiaries one year after they joined a wellness program.
The results mirror those found in the corporate world, where companies are increasingly funding wellness programs meant to improve employees’ health.
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