Jump to content

Choose locationCalifornia Pacific Medical Center
  • Sign in or Enroll
    • Open I want to choose my medical group or hospital
    • Clear my location
Change Location
Sutter Health
  • Video Visits
  • Find Doctors
  • Find Locations
  • Treatments & Services
  • Locations
  • Sign in or Enroll
    • Video Visits
    • Find Doctors
    • Find Locations
    • Treatments & Services
    • COVID-19 Resources
    • Pay a Bill
    • Symptom Checker
    • Get Care Today
    • Health & Wellness
    • Classes & Events
    • Research & Clinical Trials
    • For Patients
    • About Sutter Health
    • Giving
    • Volunteering
    • Careers
    • News
    • For Medical Professionals
    • Other Business Services
Close Search
  • Home
  • CPMC
  • Research
  • Health Policy
Content

Knowledge and perceptions of overweight employees about lifestyle-related health benefit changes.

Description

Li J, Linnan L, Finkelstein EA, Tate D, Carolyn Naseer, M.A.,c and Kelly R. Evenson,, N C Med J. 72(3):183–190., 2011 May 01

Investigators

Jiang Li, Ph.D., MPH, Assistant Scientist

Abstract

Background: We investigated overweight state employees’ perceptions about health insurance benefit changes designed to reduce the scope of health benefits for employees who were obese or smoked.

Methods: Prior to implementation of health benefit plan changes, 658 overweight [body mass index (BMI) ≥25 kg/m2] state employees enrolled in a weight loss intervention study were asked about their attitudes and beliefs of the new benefit plan changes.

Results: Thirty-one percent of employees with a BMI≥40 kg/ m2 were unaware that their current BMI would place them in a higher risk benefit plan. More than half reported that the new benefit change would motivate them to make behavioral changes, but less than half felt confident in making changes. Respondents with a BMI≥40 kg/m2 were more likely to oppose the new changes focused on BMI categories compared to respondents in lower BMI categories (P<0.0001). Current smokers were more likely to oppose the new benefit change focused on tobacco use than former smokers and non-smokers (P<0.01).

Limitations: Participants represented a sample of employees enrolled in a weight loss study, limiting generalizability to the larger population of state employees.

Conclusions: Benefit plan changes that require employees who are obese or smoke to pay more for health care may motivate some, but not all, individuals to change their behaviors. Since confidence to lose weight was lowest among those in the highest weight categories, health plan benefit modifications may be required to achieve desired health behavior changes.

Pubmed Abstract

Pubmed AbstractOpens New Window

Associated Topics

  • Health Policy
  • Obesity
  • Smoking

Related Publications

Policy-oriented research on improved physician incentives for higher value health care.

Luft HS.
Health Serv Res. doi: 10.1111/1475-6773.12423. [Epub ahead of print]
2015 Nov 17

International Committee for Monitoring Assisted Reproductive Technologies World Report: Assisted Reproductive Technology 2006.

Mansour R, Ishihara O, Adamson GD, Dyer S, de Mouzon J, Nygren KG, Sullivan E, Zegers-Hochschild F.
Hum Reprod. 29(7):1536-51. Epub 2014 May 2.
2014 Jul 01

The impact of consumer affordability on access to assisted reproductive technologies and embryo transfer practices: an international analysis.

Chambers GM, Hoang VP, Sullivan EA, Chapman MG, Ishihara O, Zegers-Hochschild F, Nygren KG, Adamson GD.
Fertil Steril. 101(1):191-198.e4. doi: 10.1016/j.fertnstert.2013.09.005. Epub 2013 Oct 21.
2014 Jan 01

The centralization of robotic surgery in high-volume centers for endometrial cancer patients--a study of 6560 cases in the U.S.

Chan JK, Gardner AB, Taylor K, Blansit K, Thompson CA, Brooks R, Yu X, Kapp DS.
Gynecol Oncol. 2015 Jul;138(1):128-32. doi: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2015.04.031. Epub 2015 Apr 28.
2015 Jul 01

Robotic versus laparoscopic versus open surgery in morbidly obese endometrial cancer patients - A comparative analysis of total charges and complication rates.

Chan JK, Gardner AB, Taylor K, Thompson CA, Blansit K, Yu X, Kapp DS.
Gynecol Oncol. pii: S0090-8258(15)30123-2. doi: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2015.09.006. [Epub ahead of print]
2015 Sep 10
The Sutter Health Network of Care
Expertise to fit your needs
Primary Care

Check-ups, screenings and sick visits for adults and children.

Specialty Care

Expertise and advanced technologies in all areas of medicine.

Emergency Care

For serious accidents, injuries and conditions that require immediate medical care.

Urgent Care

After-hours, weekend and holiday services.

Walk-In Care

Convenient walk-in care clinics for your non-urgent health needs.

About Sutter

  • About Our Network
  • Annual Report
  • Awards
  • Community Benefit
  • Contact Us
  • News
  • Giving
  • Find Care

  • Birth Centers
  • Care Centers
  • Emergency Rooms
  • Hospitals
  • Imaging
  • Labs
  • Surgery Centers
  • Urgent Care
  • Walk-In Care
  • View All >
  • Featured Services

  • Behavioral Health
  • Cancer Services
  • Family Medicine
  • Home Health and Hospice
  • Orthopedics
  • Pediatrics
  • Pregnancy
  • Primary Care
  • Women's Health
  • View All >
  • Patient Resources

  • Accepted Health Plans
  • Classes and Events
  • Estimate Costs
  • Health and Wellness
  • Medical Records
  • Medicare Advantage
  • My Health Online
  • Pay a Bill
  • Symptom Checker
  • Our Team

  • For Employees
  • Physician Careers
  • Recruiting Events
  • Residencies and Fellowships
  • Sutter Careers
  • Vendors
  • Volunteers
    • ADA Accessibility
    • Contact
    • Privacy
    • Do Not Sell My Personal Information

    • LinkedIn Opens new window
    • YouTube Opens new window
    • Facebook Opens new window
    • Twitter Opens new window
    • Glassdoor Opens new window
    • Instagram Opens new window

    Copyright © 2022 Sutter Health. All rights reserved. Sutter Health is a registered trademark of Sutter Health ®, Reg. U.S. Patent & Trademark office.

    Cookie Policy

    We use cookies to give you the best possible user experience. By continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies. Privacy Policy Cookie Preferences

    Privacy Policy Cookie Preferences