Aetna Reports Immediate Cost Savings by Identifying High-Risk Enrollees Through Genetic Testing

Aetna is one of the oldest health insurance companies in the world. In the United States, the company ranks among the leaders in medical, dental, pharmaceutical, life, and group disability insurance.

According to a recent article published in the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, Aetna implemented personalized interventions for 445 employees at risk of metabolic syndrome and achieved savings of over $650,000 in the first year. Aetna stated that this study provides the first evidence that employee wellness programs can demonstrate a return on investment within one year.

95% of the study participants compared their body weight at the beginning and end of the year, with 76% experiencing weight loss,It is well established that body weight is a major risk factor for diabetes and metabolic syndrome. Through testing and continuous observation of changes in the participants' lifestyles, the research team observed reductions in triglyceride and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels among the subjects.

Meanwhile, more than 50% of project participants have been involved in the program for at least one year, compared to the industry average of 15%.Newtopi of Canada designed the intervention for Antai based on genetic testing results.Generally, wellness programs do not yield a return on investment within three to five years, and most participants drop out midway or discontinue their involvement after changing jobs. The study findings indicate that to ensure the success of workplace health improvement initiatives, companies need to target high-risk populations and carefully design and implement these programs.



Let’s take a look at how the health plan is specifically implemented:

Keep Employees Healthy
Aetna Health meets each individual’s needs through personalized solutions. With more than 70 health plans, Aetna covers a wide range of wellness initiatives, from biometric screenings and smoking cessation programs to healthy lifestyle coaching. These programs help employees maintain their health and prevent more serious diseases. The positive impacts include the following three aspects:
1) Enhance productivity and employee retention
2) Improved employee health and boosted morale
3) Reduce Healthcare Costs

Simple Steps to Enjoy a Healthy Life
This online program includes a health assessment. Personalized results will help individuals understand their risks and determine appropriate actions. The program also features personalized online health initiatives, including:
1) Stress Relief
2) Healthy Eating and Active Exercise
3) Sleep Better
4) Smoking Cessation
5) Easily Manage Asthma
6) Add Activity

Women's Health Care
Aetna’s Women’s Health Program empowers women to lead healthier lives by providing targeted health service information. We offer a wide range of programs focused on addressing women’s specific needs:

Family Planning: This program provides tips and guidance for healthy pregnancies, along with additional support for high-risk pregnant women.

Infertility Management: Members can locate providers of infertility medical services and obtain answers through the information and education they provide.

Breast Health Education Center: Provides a wealth of resources for women of all ages. It offers the latest, comprehensive information on breast health and breast cancer risk identification, and is dedicated to serving and supporting women diagnosed with breast cancer.

BRCA Gene Testing: High-risk individuals can access sequencing services, which provide genetic testing for breast and ovarian cancer.

Personal Health and Wellness Guidance
Support teams can increase the likelihood of engaging in physical exercise and maintaining good health. Our health coaches and counselors help members set and achieve meaningful health goals, covering areas such as smoking cessation and maintaining a healthy weight.



Focus Solutions
Mindfulness is the practice of focusing attention on the present moment without judgment. Recent studies have shown that mindfulness can improve physical and mental well-being. Individuals can incorporate mindfulness programs alongside conventional medicine. Our mindfulness courses are taught as follows:
1) Help people reduce stress
2) Reducing Risk Factors for Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome
3) Ensure permanent lifestyle changes

Workplace Health Training

To encourage people to prioritize their health, we believe in addressing the root causes by bringing health-promoting services to the workplace, such as:
1) On-site Screening of Biometric Features
2) Educational Workshops
3) Health Promotion Campaign

Solutions for Metabolic Syndrome
Metabolic syndrome is the fastest-growing health issue, affecting nearly 35% of adults in the United States. It primarily comprises a cluster of five risk factors:
1) Large waist circumference (35 inches for women, 40 inches for men)
2) Hypertension
3) Hypertriglyceridemia
4) Low-Density Lipoprotein (“Good”) Cholesterol
5) Hyperglycemia
Individuals with three or more risk factors are at risk of developing metabolic syndrome. Compared to those without metabolic syndrome, this cluster of risk factors makes individuals five times more likely to develop heart disease than diabetes. Improving these factors can prevent disease and reduce future high medical costs. In many cases, lifestyle changes, such as increasing physical activity and improving diet, can be beneficial.

To help combat metabolic syndrome, Antai Group has developed an approach focusing on the following aspects:
1) • Identify and understand employee health status and potential risk factors for each employer
2) • Intervention: Assist employers in clarifying their objectives in this area
3) • Incentives, which are linked to final outcomes, help improve health
4) • Implementation: Transform information and objectives into a detailed action plan

Antai’s solutions encompass a series of concrete, actionable plans applicable to any enterprise.

Translator: Chen Kun

Editor: Zhang Nan