The study published in the American Journal of Managed Care evaluated Wellth's behavioral science-based incentive program, demonstrating its effectiveness in enhancing health outcomes for Medicaid populations and decreasing avoidable healthcare costs. Non-adherence among members with chronic conditions costs the U.S. between $100 billion and $300 billion annually in preventable healthcare expenses. With over half of U.S. adults living with chronic conditions and increasing diagnoses each year, it is crucial for health plans to invest in innovative care management strategies that address member behaviors between doctor visits, particularly medication adherence.
Arizona Complete Health partnered with Wellth to engage Medicaid members who had historically been non-adherent, employing a combination of behavioral science techniques and financial incentives. This partnership aims to motivate these members, improve their health outcomes, and alleviate the financial burden of managing chronic conditions for both the health plan and individual members.
Wellth motivates individuals to stick to their care plans by rewarding healthy behaviors through its app. Using behavioral economics-based incentives, the Wellth app encourages medical adherence by rewarding users for staying on track with actions like taking daily medications, recording blood pressure readings, tracking A1C levels, and logging healthy meals, to name a few. Members simply submit a photo or update of their daily activity and instantly receive a reward notification.
This study analyzed data from 6,716 Medicaid beneficiaries with chronic conditions enrolled in Arizona Complete Health, comprising 3,358 participants and 3,358 non-participants. The findings revealed that Wellth participants experienced higher medication adherence rates and decreased healthcare utilization and associated costs over a 9-month period compared to non-participants.
"The improvements in medication adherence reduced health care utilization, particularly for those with COPD and mental health conditions, and the associated cost reductions in many cases exceeded the cost of administering Wellth." (AJMC, 2024)
These findings suggest that Wellth's impact is both sustainable and scalable, with potential for further cost savings beyond the initial 9 months—helping health plans manage the rising costs of chronic condition care in the U.S.
The partnership between Arizona Complete Health and Wellth showcases how digital health solutions can transform chronic disease management. Wellth's app encourages members to form sustainable, health-improving habits that have a positive impact on their daily lives. As Wellth member Kasina shared, “Not only have I been taking my medication, but I’ve been able to keep my job, my apartment, my lights on, and food in the refrigerator… taking my meds lets me live a full life.”
Wellth’s incentive-based model provides scalable, cost-effective support for Medicaid programs and other payers, particularly in managing common chronic conditions like COPD, schizophrenia, and depression. As noted in the American Journal of Managed Care (2024), "Given the small per-person cost, Wellth’s intervention is cost-saving for several chronic conditions over 9 months and is likely to yield even greater savings over longer periods."
In an era of rising healthcare costs and a growing demand for chronic care management, Wellth is making a measurable difference for health plans' most vulnerable populations.
Read the complete study here.
Contact us to learn more about using Wellth to improve outcomes for MA, Medicaid, and D-SNP members and plans.
