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Sponsored by: UnitedHealthcare Employer & Individual New England
Updated: December 13, 2021

How to use your health plan to help achieve your New Year’s resolutions

Every year, scores of Mainers make New Year’s resolutions, especially to improve their health and wealth. Some of the most cited resolutions usually revolve around exercising more, eating healthier foods or saving more money.

Photo / Courtesy of United Healthcare
Tim Archer, CEO of UnitedHealthcare Employer & Individual New England, leads the team responsible for providing access to commercial health benefit products and services to small and large companies with up to 5,000 employees. We had a chance to catch up with him to ask about how UnitedHealthcare helps people live healthier lives.

Achieving any of these goals will likely require willpower and dedication, but additional support from your health plan may be helpful too. Whether you have coverage through an employer, an individual or family policy or a government-sponsored plan such as Medicare Advantage, Tim Archer, CEO of UnitedHealthcare New England, offers five ways to potentially use your health plan to encourage a healthier lifestyle in 2022:

Q: What are the possible benefits of a digital fitness app?

Tim Archer: There are many. The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted some people to avoid public gyms due to potential exposure risks to the coronavirus, contributing to a surge in the popularity of at-home fitness routines. In fact, 30% of Americans surveyed said they had used a digital fitness app as part of their fitness regimen since COVID-19 emerged. Whether your fitness resolution is focused on improving strength, enhancing endurance or finding new levels of flexibility, some health plans now include subsidized subscriptions to digital fitness apps with thousands of live and on-demand workouts, in some cases giving access at no additional cost.

Q: How can a fitness tracker be used to monitor health goals?

A: Great question. Wearable devices are becoming increasingly popular and sophisticated, enabling people to track their daily steps, monitor their heart rate and analyze sleep patterns (among other measures). With that in mind, some employers and health plans are including fitness trackers as part of wellness programs, in some cases enabling people to earn over $1,000 per year in incentives by meeting certain daily activity goals, such as walking, running, swimming or strength training (among dozens of others). Some smartwatches even sync with digital fitness apps, offering personalized feedback to help track individual workouts and progress over time.

Q: Are online weight-loss programs an option too? 

A: Yes. Given that shedding unwanted weight is a priority for many people after the holidays and year round, it can be helpful to check with your employer or health plan for online programs that focus on helping users build healthier habits, such as increasing daily activity and eating more fruits and vegetables. Maintaining a healthy body weight is more than just cosmetic: Research shows that when overweight people lose just 5% of their initial weight, it can reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by more than 50%. This is especially important amid COVID-19, as diabetes is among the most common risk factors linked to an increased chance of COVID-19 complications.

Q: Old habits, like tobacco use, can be hard to kick at the holidays. Any tips?

A: Very true. While smoking rates have declined over the last few decades, 14% of Americans are still consistent smokers, with cigarette use ranking as the leading cause of preventable death nationwide. Kicking the habit can help support your health — both in the short and long term — while avoiding an estimated $1 million or more in lifetime costs associated with cigarette use. For support, many health plans offer smoking cessation programs, which may offer – at no additional cost – nicotine gum or patches, online tools and one-on-one coaching.

Q: Everyone wants a sparkly smile - what should people know about improving their dental health?

A: Glad you asked. With growing evidence of a link between oral health and overall health, it is important take care of your teeth. That means consistently brushing, flossing and using mouthwash. Even if you are doing all that, regular dental cleanings are also crucial, as consistently visiting the dentist can help remove plaque that tends to build up over time. Many dental plans include up to two annual cleanings with no cost sharing, with some even offering discounts on electric toothbrushes to make this type of technology more affordable.

The new year is a great time to reflect on your personal and financial well-being, and it’s never too late to rededicate yourself to health. In fact, people who make specific resolutions may be more likely to reach those goals than people who don’t set explicit pledges. By taking advantage of available resources that may be included with your health plan, it may be possible to improve both your waistline and wallet.