Fitness tracker and pedometer: rewards from health insurers
We are using fitness trackers, smart watches and smartphones to collect more and more data about our health. That can pay off in more ways than one. Comparis shows which health insurance providers use rewards programmes to encourage exercise.
19.01.2022
iStock / AndreyPopov
Electronic fitness gadgets are becoming more and more popular, fitness trackers (also known as activity trackers) among them. They measure things such as your pulse, steps, and how long you sleep. Fitness trackers are available as bracelets with a display, but sports watches, smart watches and smartphones now also generally have fitness tracker functions. But what use is this information? And how important is it to health insurers?
What can a fitness tracker do for me?
Whether you're keen to complete your daily 10,000 steps or just want to establish a better sleep pattern, a fitness tracker can help you to find or maintain a healthy lifestyle. It supports physical activity and motivates you to achieve your health goals.
Your physical health isn't the only thing that your fitness tracker benefits. Some health insurance providers reward the use of fitness devices and health apps with credits or vouchers to keep your finances healthier, too. All you need to do is connect the data from your tracker, sports watch, smart watch or smartphone to the relevant app from your insurer. Benefits will usually be paid as part of a rewards programme linked to a supplemental insurance product.
Contributions to gym membership, etc.
Many health insurers reward a healthy lifestyle with contributions towards membership of a gym or sports club.
What reward programmes do health insurers offer?
CSS myStep
CSS myStep rewards members for the steps that they have completed. They earn a step bonus of 20 cents for 7,500 steps a day, 40 cents for 10,000 steps and over, up to an annual maximum of 146 francs. To take part in myStep, insureds need a CSS-approved activity tracker, the myCSS client portal, and a Health Account. The Health Account forms part of a range of supplemental insurance products, and the step bonus is paid via this account.
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CSS active365
The CSS active365 app is a virtual health platform containing videos, quizzes and advice on a healthy lifestyle. Users collect activePoints by tracking activity, taking part in challenges, getting involved in their communities, and taking action to take care of their health. The app is available to anyone with a smartphone, regardless of their health insurer. Those users who have supplemental insurance with CSS can redeem their activePoints on the enjoy365 rewards portal, have them paid out, or donate them.
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Helsana+
The Helsana+ app enables you to collect Plus points for recorded activity, taking part in challenges, taking preventive action on your health, and for loyalty to Helsana. Three different versions are available:
Demo version for those who are not Helsana customers: max. 3,000 Plus points per year
Basic version for Helsana customers with basic insurance: max. 7,500 Plus points per year
Full version for Helsana customer with at least one supplemental insurance product: max. 30,000 Plus points per year
Users of the basic and full versions can exchange their Plus points for cash, vouchers or a donation to the Swiss Red Cross or the Theodora Foundation.
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Sanitas Active app
The Sanitas Active app motivates you in fun ways to get more exercise and eat healthily. Every time you reach your daily target, you collect a coin. These are awarded for steps, swimming, cycling, and checking in at sports facilities like the gym or yoga studio. The daily target adjusts to your personal level of activity, increasing gradually. The app can be used by anyone, but only people insured with Sanitas can redeem the coins they have collected for vouchers from partner companies.
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Swica BENEVITA
Users of the BENEVITA app from Swica collect awards when they complete exercise, healthy eating or well-being challenges. Quizzes and step challenges are just two examples here. The more awards you collect, the higher the level you reach. The app is also available to those not insured with Swica, or who have basic insurance, but only those who have supplemental insurance with Swica can benefit from reduced premiums or vouchers for the online shop, depending on the level they have reached.
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Visana myPoints
Visana myPoints (in German, French and Italian only) rewards you for steps taken and calories burned at three ascending levels of achievement. You also receive loyalty points for recommending Visana to others, for example. You must have supplemental insurance with Visana to benefit from the myPoints rewards programme. Your activity is recognized with up to 120 francs per year, paid into your account.
Overview of rewards programmes
Here is a summary of health insurers and their rewards programmes:
| Health insurer | Product | Steps | Reward thresholds | Maximum annual reward |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CSS | myStep | Steps | 7,500 or 10,000 per day | CHF 146 (credited to myStep account) |
| CSS | active365 | Recorded activity, health prevention, memberships, social engagement | n/a | CHF 600 (cash value, donations, redeem rewards at enjoy365) |
| Helsana | Helsana+ (can be linked with HelsanaCoach and HelsanaTrails) | Recorded activity, challenges, health prevention, memberships, use of customer portal | 10,000 steps or an average pulse of 110 for 30 mins, or 150 calories burned in 30 mins | Basic insurance: CHF 75 Supplemental insurance: CHF 375 (cash value, vouchers, donations) |
| Sanitas | Sanitas Active App | Recorded activity (steps, cycling, swimming), check-ins at sports facilities, challenges | Achievement of personal daily target (based on individual exercise patterns) | CHF 146 (vouchers) |
| Swica | BENEVITA | Recorded steps, participation in quizzes, videos watched | Complete 20 challenges to reach level 1 |
n/a / up to 15% reduction on supplemental insurance (premium discount, vouchers) |
| Visana | myPoints (in the Visana app) | Steps recorded and calories burned, customer loyalty | 5,000 steps or 200 calories burned |
CHF 120 (cash value) |
Am I eligible for supplemental insurance with a fitness tracker?
Health insurance providers generally offer fitness tracker-based reductions on premiums only if you take out supplemental insurance. The decision on whether to offer you extra cover lies with the insurer. But how do you know if you will be accepted? Comparis has developed a quick test to help you find out. Answer a few short questions, and we will tell you if you are eligible for supplemental insurance.
Who discloses information about their health?
According to a representative survey by Comparis, 9% of respondents disclose health-related information to their insurance company. A quarter accept these companies using their data in return for a reward. 5% of those who replied to the Comparis survey would be happy with a monthly reward of five francs. A further 12% would want at least 10 francs for supplying their data, while 19% would disclose information for 20 francs a month or more. A further 34% would be prepared to release their data for a monthly reward of 50 francs or over.
The toughest resistance is found among 50-to-65 year-olds, where 46% would refuse to provide information. This figure falls to 25% among those aged 30 to 49, and to 17% for the under-30s.
This article was first published on 15.07.2019
