“Every Move (You Make)” isn’t just a lyric from a Sting song. It’s a new interactive online and mobile platform that helps people connect and organize their health and fitness activities and turn those lifestyle actions into rewards and incentives from their health plan.
EveryMove Inc., a provider of health rewards-based marketing and incentives, has secured $2.6 million in Series A Financing from Premera Blue Cross, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Nebraska, BlueCross BlueShield Venture Partners (managed through Sandbox Industries), and angel investors to build this platform.
With obesity rates doubling since 1980, and one out of four children considered obese, being overweight is one of the most serious health issues of our generation. Obesity can lead to heart disease, diabetes – even cancer and eventual death.
But experts say fighting it should shift from personal blame and shame to teaching people ways to keep people healthy and happy. And what better way to do it than through money?
Health plans are looking to build closer relationships with consumers by partnering with them to encourage actions that have a positive impact on their long-term health and pocketbook. EveryMove wants to be part of this.
PwC’s Health Research Institute has found that medical costs are expected to increase from 8 percent in 2011 to 8.5 percent in 2012. That may not sound like much, but health expenditures in the U.S. neared $2.6 trillion in 2010 – over ten times the $256 billion spent in 1980.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, healthcare costs comprise a bigger portion of America's household budgets year over year, as expenses continue to rise and incomes remain stagnant.
To try to change this, EveryMove said it’s here to “work directly with health plans to ensure individuals are rewarded for their healthy actions.”
"It is time to make room at the table for consumers to be part of the conversation around their health,” said EveryMove's co-founder and CEO, Russell Benaroya. “Technology is enabling consumers to more easily demonstrate the value of their lifestyle activities and that is empowering. At EveryMove, individuals will have an opportunity to turn their lifestyle activities into real value for their actions. With this funding, we bring together significant strategic partners in support of our efforts."
"The healthcare industry is recognizing that the future is in how we engage with and empower consumers to impact overall health costs," he added.
"Programs such as EveryMove can help us support the specific interests of our members and reward them for their actions as they improve their health," said Kent Marquardt, executive vice president and CFO at Premera Blue Cross, an early supporter of EveryMove.
The company is using the many devices on the market today, from blood glucose monitors to smartphones that track health and fitness goals to help health plans provide incentives for members to stay well.
Edited by
Braden Becker
