The St. Louis Post Dispatch reports:

“The next round of contracts awarded to companies to manage healthcare for thousands of Missouri Medicaid recipients includes a new focus: patient wellness.

“Consumer wellness incentives are trending throughout the health insurance market, most notably in employer-sponsored plans. Now Missouri is getting in on the action on behalf of its roughly 400,000 managed care customers.”

”The contracts, awarded to three companies this month, include proposals designed to help patients exercise, eat healthier and make regular doctor visits. Consumers who … succeed in these programs can receive a range of incentives including gift certificates, debit cards and groceries.”