The Apple Watch is not just a stylish smartwatch, it is an excellent fitness tracker too. Health insurance company Aetna is taking this into consideration and wants to lower the price of the Apple Watch for its customers.
In fact, the health giant announced a partnership with Apple that will make the Apple Watch available to a number of employees and individuals on Aetna plans during the open enrollment season. Not only will the device be available to customers, but it will come at a significantly reduced price through monthly deductions to your health insurance. Basically, if you get the Apple Watch and you are an Aetna customer, you could be eligible for a nice deduction to your health insurance plan.
Aetna is not the only company incorporating the Apple Watch into its wellness program — Vitality announced a plan earlier this year allowing workers to purchase an Apple Watch for only $25 if they met their monthly exercise goals.
Aetna has not yet specified exactly how much it will contribute to the cost of the Apple Watch, however it says that it will be a “significant portion.” The remainder of the watch’s cost can be paid off through monthly payroll deductions, if the person receives insurance through their employer.
“We are thrilled that Aetna will be helping their members and employees take greater control of their health using Apple Watch,” Apple CEO Tim Cook said in Aetna’s statement. “Aetna’s new initiatives will be a powerful force toward creating better customer experiences in health care, and we look forward to working with Aetna to make them successful.”
It is likely more companies will begin taking initiatives like this as health becomes more trackable — it is also likely that we will see incentive programs for those that manage to hit health goals, as tracked by devices like the Apple Watch.
