Fitbit integrates with UnitedHealthcare Motion walking program

This post was originally published on the Fitbit press site. It has been adapted from its original format.

Fitbit today announced the next phase of its integration with UnitedHealthcare Motion by offering Fitbit Charge 3, the top-selling health and fitness tracker in the U.S.,as a buy-up option to eligible program participants.

UnitedHealthcare Motion is an employer-sponsored wearable device walking program that encourages participants to move more and monitor their activity levels, with the potential to earn more than $1,000 per year by meeting certain daily walking goals. The program is an option for employers in most markets across the country. Financial incentives may be less due to limits under applicable laws.

The addition of Charge 3 builds on Fitbit’s history of working with UnitedHealthcare to help eligible program participants monitor progress toward daily walking goals from the wrist. Charge 2 was the first wearable device offered as a buy-up option for UnitedHealthcare Motion program participants in 2017.

Charge 3 is now available for purchase to UnitedHealthcare Motion program participants; those who already own the device can also use it as part of the program. Later this year, Fitbit Inspire HR, Fitbit’s lower priced and stylish device designed to meet the needs of the healthcare industry, is also expected to be offered to UnitedHealthcare Motion program participants.

"After more than two years, Fitbit devices continue to prove popular among UnitedHealthcare Motion program participants, helping encourage sustained and positive behavior change,” said Adam Pellegrini, general manager, Fitbit Health Solutions. “Our collaboration with UnitedHealthcare on this successful wearable device walking program and other health initiatives continues to demonstrate the important role wearable technology can play in helping people on their path toward better health.”

On average, active UnitedHealthcare Motion participants log nearly 12,000 steps per day, more than double the number of the average American adult. Also, people with chronic conditions are 20 percent more likely to participate in the program than those without such a diagnosis; people who have diabetes are 40 percent more likely to participate than those who do not.

UnitedHealthcare Motion may enable eligible program participants to earn more than $1,000 per year by meeting daily FIT walking goals, which stands for: frequency (complete at least 500 steps within seven minutes six times per day, at least an hour apart); intensity (complete at least 3,000 steps within 30 minutes); and tenacity (complete at least 10,000 total steps each day). The program is available for purchase by employers of all sizes across the country, enabling participants to earn quarterly incentives that are deposited into health reimbursement accounts (HRAs) or health savings accounts (HSAs), as applicable.

“Digital health solutions such as UnitedHealthcare Motion offer valuable and measurable benefits to help motivate and engage people to take control of their health journey,” said Paul Sterling, vice president of emerging products for UnitedHealthcare. “Wearable device options like the Charge 3 are an important resource to help drive participation and engagement in our program, particularly among people managing chronic conditions.”

Fitbit Charge 3, the latest evolution of the best-selling Charge family of devices, delivers a premium swimproof up to 50M design with a large touchscreen display, Fitbit’s most advanced health and fitness features on a tracker, and is its smartest tracker yet – all powered by up to 7 days of battery life, depending upon usage.