Current weather:  34° F   partly cloudy, breezy

sponsored by:

Employees jump at offer to get paid to lose weight

Associated Press
November 29, 2005

MISSOULA (AP) — Missoula County’s offer to pay overweight employees and family members to slim down through the Weight Watchers program drew an overwhelming response.

Earlier this month, the county sent out a letter to people covered by its self-funded health plan, saying 50 people would be accepted into the pilot program. It offers $10 a pound for weight lost, payable after participants meet their goal weight and maintain it for six weeks.

“By 9 a.m., the 50 slots were filled,” said Joyce Blatherwick, risk and benefits administrator for the county. “We didn’t have a clue there would be this kind of interest.”

The county added 10 more slots and started a waiting list. As people reach their goal and end the program — or drop out — others will be added, Blatherwick said.

“Being overweight affects so many other things: blood pressure, the heart, joints, diabetes,” Blatherwick said. Overweight people also tend to have more accidents on the job, which costs the county money, she said.

“We don’t cover weight loss in the county medical plan,” Blatherwick said. “This is a way to encourage people; it gives them an incentive.”

The county decided to use the Weight Watchers requirement because it is a respected program that emphasizes lifestyle changes and uses real food. It also keeps intricate records, including weekly weigh-ins and setting a goal weight. Participants in the county program must also follow a maintenance program through Weight Watchers for at least six weeks after reaching their goal weight to collect their cash.

“We want to see if people follow through,” Blatherwick said. “We want to see if it works.”

Participants in the county’s pilot program pay their own fees to join and attend weekly Weight Watcher meetings. Those who have more than 50 pounds to lose get some cash after losing their first 50 pounds, “our way of saying ’don’t get discouraged,”’ Blatherwick said.

The payouts are funded by fees from health-plan participants.

back to top