The insurance company Aetna is teaming up with Apple on a new health-tracking app called Attain. The app has been designed to encourage individuals to participate in healthier behaviors in an engaging and interactive way. As users engage in health activity, they can earn rewards through the app. As time progresses, their rewards can rack up and be applied toward gift cards for places such as Best Buy and Amazon. The app has even offered a free Apple Watch for those who earn enough rewards, according to Fortune.
The app is also prompting people to get their flu shots and reminding users to take their medication.
“We believe that people should be able to play a more active role in managing their well-being. Every day, we receive emails and letters from people all over the world who have found great benefit by incorporating Apple Watch into their lives and daily routines,” said Apple Chief Operating Officer Jeff Williams, according to Apple Insider. “As we learn over time, the goal is to make more customized recommendations that will help members accomplish their goals and live healthier lives.”
The two companies have been working on Attain since 2016, and the app will be available this spring. So far, it’s only open to Aetna members and has between 250,000 and 300,000 spots available in the program.
If you plan on signing up, you’ll also need an iPhone 5S or later and an Apple Watch Series 1 or later to use in collaboration with the Attain app. If participants don’t have an Apple Watch, Attain will provide them with a Series 3 device, according to engadget. By meeting fitness goals for over 24 months, users could potentially cover the cost of their device with their points. Additionally, if users suddenly stop the program, they may have to pay off the remaining cost of the Watch, but Aetna does take in consideration medical emergencies and pregnancies.
The insurance company hopes by encouraging healthy habits and igniting a healthier client population there will be fewer health insurance claims. Some people might be wary about opening up their health history to an app, but the Aetna says the data will be encrypted. Aetna also claims that the Apple Watch will not affect coverage decisions.
The two companies hope this method will spark the population to maintain healthy lifestyles and encourage insurance companies to take a proactive stand.