County starts program to pay people for shedding pounds
Missoula County is paying people to lose weight. The going rate: $10 a pound. But hold the mayo: It's not so simple. People who sign up for the new pilot program must first join Weight Watchers, attend meetings, reach their goal weight and become a lifetime member.
'Being overweight affects so many other things: blood pressure, the heart, joints, diabetes,' said Joyce Blatherwick, risk-and-benefits administrator for the county. Overweight people tend to have more accidents on the job, which costs the county money too.
'We don't know if this will work, but we wanted to try something,' she said.
Earlier this month, Missoula County sent out a letter to people covered by the county's self-funded health plan. Fifty people would be accepted into a pilot program, set up for 2 1/2 years and funded by fees from health-plan participants.
'By 9 a.m., the 50 slots were filled,' Blatherwick said. 'We didn't have a clue there would be this kind of interest.'
The county added 10 more slots and started a waiting list. As people reach their goal and end the program - or drop out - others will be added, she said.
External Source - For the complete article click here
Source - Missoulian
'We don't know if this will work, but we wanted to try something,' she said.
Earlier this month, Missoula County sent out a letter to people covered by the county's self-funded health plan. Fifty people would be accepted into a pilot program, set up for 2 1/2 years and funded by fees from health-plan participants.
'By 9 a.m., the 50 slots were filled,' Blatherwick said. 'We didn't have a clue there would be this kind of interest.'
The county added 10 more slots and started a waiting list. As people reach their goal and end the program - or drop out - others will be added, she said.
External Source - For the complete article click here
Source - Missoulian
