Satisfaction with Financial Incentives for Chronic Disease Prevention

Objective

We examined Medicaid enrollees’ experiences and satisfaction with financial incentives-based chronic disease prevention programs in 10 states.

Methods

This cross-site study of the Medicaid Incentives for Prevention of Chronic Diseases model used a mixed-methods approach to assess Medicaid enrollees’ experiences and satisfaction with the incentive programs. We conducted 31 in-person focus groups with 212 program participants, followed by a mail survey in English and Spanish (N = 2274). We used both the qualitative focus group data and the quantitative survey data to examine participant satisfaction with the incentives, along with differences by program and incentive characteristics.

Results

Overall, focus group and survey findings aligned, with participants reporting satisfaction with program incentives. Participants felt that the incentives helped them make positive changes to improve their health. Nevertheless, satisfaction varied considerably depending on characteristics of the program, such as the form and magnitude of the incentive, health focus of the program, and program delivery method.

Conclusions

Program and incentive characteristics play key roles in participants’ satisfaction and experience with incentive-based, chronic disease prevention programs. Further research is required to examine the optimal design of incentive programs to support sustained behavior change.