University hopes to promote healthy lifestyles

A new program will give full-time IU staff members credits to reduce their health care costs if they lead a healthier lifestyle.

The voluntary program starts January 2011 and is part of a strategy to reduce the University’s health care costs, according to an IU press release.

Employees and their spouses or domestic partners in the program will be rewarded for things such as not using tobacco, getting certain vaccinations and getting tests such as mammograms. Participants can take a health risk assessment and a biometric screening to create incentives for maintaining healthy blood pressure, cholesterol, blood glucose and body mass index.

Many employees are expected to take part in the program, said IU Spokesman Larry MacIntyre.

IU expects to pay $154 million in health care costs this year, MacIntyre said, and health care costs have been increasing by 8 to 12 percent per year. Costs for University employees are expected to increase significantly next year, according to the release.

With this program in the short run, since staff members pay less, the University might bear more of a burden. But, MacIntyre said, the long-term goal and the University’s hope is to get people to lead a healthier lifestyle, which would reduce chronic health problems and costs.

“Insurance is a gamble,” MacIntyre said. “It’s always a gamble.”