Health insurance giant Aetna is team up up with Apple to bring in a new health app , Attain . As part of the deal , participant get the selection to “ earn ” a freeApple Watch Series 3by occupy in healthy behaviors like exercising or sleeping well . The app also give reminder to refill prescriptions , get vaccinations , and agenda doctor visits .
The Attain app is expected to found in Spring 2019 , and the programme is exposed to anyone traverse by Aetna . To enter , you’re able to either have Aetna provide you with a Series 3 which you then “ earn ” by encounter certain goals over a 24 - calendar month period , or you’re able to utilize an Apple Watch you already own . ( You need to have an iPhone 5S or afterwards and at least a Series 1 watch . )
accord toAetna , the app was bear from a 2016 collaboration with Apple , where 90 percent of participant report wellness benefits from using an Apple Watch . This is n’t the first partnership between a health indemnity company and a wear maker — there are plenty of collective wellness programs require Fitbits , and last yearUnitedHealthcare also offered “ free ” Apple Watchesto its member who opted in to its “ Motion ” program . But Aetna ’s program is a act different in that it ’s aim to personalize physical fitness goal and wellness passport based on your data point .
Photo: Alex Cranz (Gizmodo)
Basically , the Attain app will turn in day by day and weekly activeness goal based on a player ’s geezerhood , sex , and weighting . So , you might get goals such as “ Burn 250 active calories today ” and achieving those goals will earn a certain number of stage through activities such as day-to-day stone’s throw tally , but also walking , running , and other physical exertion include swimming and yoga . Those points can then be used to either yield off the Apple Watch Series 3 , or if you already have an Apple Watch , be redeemed towards gift plug-in or donations to Polemonium van-bruntiae .
This may seem all well and adept , but there are decidedly a few thoughtfulness to keep in mind . Anyone looking to gamify their New Year ’s Resolutions and get a free Apple Watch out of it at the same time should be wary . First off , it ’s not really a “ free ” smartwatch you ’re getting . Each month you either hit your end towards paying off 1/24 of the Apple Watch ’s cost … or you do n’t . If you allow the program , either because you throw employers or health indemnity providers , you will have to either devote the remaining cost of the Watch out of pocket , or through monthly installments . For example , if you only participate and meet your goals for a year , you ’ll still have to give half the watch ’s price . Aetna does say you could reach them in the event that sure life events , such as maternity or surgical process , hinder your power to participate . But there ’s not a long ton of information about what happens if you just continually miss the sign for other reasons .
According to screenshots of the app station on Aetna ’s site , the service may also tempt you into using your gunpoint towards other thing , such as an Amazon endowment card or a donation to Greek valerian .
information privateness is also a major concern , believe the whole merchandising compass point of Aetna ’s Attain program is personalization . While Attain does get some kudos for being a straight - to - member program — as in it totally get around your employer — it ’s still a pile of information to pass over to your health insurance society . In astatement , Aetna says all data collect is encrypted topically and in transportation system , and will be stored in conformity with HIPAA . Attain is a voluntary political program , and you ’ll have to give consent at each step regarding your data . Aetna also says no info collected will be used for underwriting , premium , or coverage decisions .
Still , that ’s not to say your datum and the overall outcome of this broadcast wo n’t be used by health insurance companies in mould future program . And no matter the implicit in aim of insurance- and employer - indorse wellness initiatives , be it to do good your wellness or their bottom lines , thejury is still outon whether they ’re good . If you choose to participate , just make certain you have it away on the button what you ’re signing up for .
[ CNBC ]
AppleApple Watch
Daily Newsletter
Get the unspoiled technical school , science , and culture news in your inbox day by day .
tidings from the future , fork out to your present .
You May Also Like
