Living Healthy Rewards You With Gift Cards for a Healthier Life

Imagine getting paid to live healthier. Not in a metaphorical sense, but with actual gift cards arriving in your inbox, simply for taking steps like completing a health assessment, tracking your steps, or getting a preventive check-up. This isn’t wishful thinking; it’s the tangible benefit of participating in living healthy rewards programs designed to celebrate and incentivize your well-being journey.
For many, these programs, like the Dean Healthy Living Rewards, transform abstract health goals into concrete, redeemable rewards. They offer a straightforward path to earning gift cards for national retailers, restaurants, and other popular merchants, making your health efforts financially rewarding. But to truly maximize these benefits, you need to understand the nuances: how points work, specific deadlines, and which activities yield the most returns for your particular health plan.

Table of Contents

At a Glance: Your Living Healthy Rewards Quick Guide

Points to Gift Cards: Earn points for healthy activities, then redeem them for a variety of gift cards.
Key Steps: Complete a health assessment, log specific healthy activities, and follow the redemption process.
Annual Deadline: All earned points must be redeemed by December 31st each calendar year; they do not roll over.
Plan Differences: Reward caps and point values vary significantly between DeanCare, Medica, and Prevea360 plans.
Know Your Value: Prioritize high-point activities like health assessments and preventive care early in the year.
Privacy Assured: Your health information is protected by federal law and is never shared with your employer, even if incentives are reported as taxable income.

Turning Healthy Habits into Tangible Rewards: The Living Healthy Framework

At its core, living healthy rewards is a simple concept: participate in health-promoting activities, earn points, and exchange those points for valuable gift cards. It’s a powerful motivator, transforming healthy choices from “should-dos” into “want-to-dos” with a clear, immediate benefit. This framework is built around engagement and consistent effort, guiding you through a series of steps designed to foster a healthier lifestyle.
The general process is intuitive. You typically begin by assessing your current health, then actively track and report your healthy actions throughout the year. Finally, you cash in your accumulated points for the rewards you desire. For a comprehensive overview of the program, including its broad philosophy and overall structure, check out the Dean Healthy Living Rewards Guide. This cluster article, however, dives deeper into the practical “how-to” and strategic thinking behind maximizing your earnings.

Your Step-by-Step Playbook for Earning Gift Cards

Navigating the living healthy rewards program effectively means understanding each phase, from activation to redemption. It’s a journey with clear milestones, and knowing them upfront can significantly boost your annual earnings.

Step 1: Get Started with Your Health Assessment

This is often your first and most impactful step. The health assessment typically involves answering lifestyle-related questions on the WebMD website, providing a baseline of your overall well-being. Think of it as your program entry ticket, frequently unlocking a substantial chunk of initial reward points and potentially opening up further activities.
If you’re a first-time WebMD Living Healthy user, you’ll need to register an account and complete any one-time setup questions before diving into the assessment itself. Completing this early in the year (Q1-Q2) usually yields more points than later in the year, so don’t delay. It’s not just about the points; the assessment can also offer personalized insights into areas where you might focus your health efforts.

Step 2: Log Your Healthy Activities Diligently

Once your assessment is complete, the platform becomes your activity tracker. Most programs have a “rewards” or “Healthy Activities and Report Completion” tab where you can log various wellness endeavors. This includes a mix of self-reported actions and automatically credited services based on your health plan claims.
Types of Activities to Look For:

Preventive Services (Auto-Credited): These are some of the easiest points to earn because they often happen automatically. Think annual physicals, cancer screenings (breast, cervical, colorectal), and specific health tests like lipid panels or diabetes testing. Points are assigned after claims processing, which can take up to three months, so patience is key. These points often carry over eligibility into Q1 of the following year for Q4 claims, but your redemption deadline still applies.
Living Healthy Portal Activities: This category covers a broad range of interactive options within the platform itself.
Challenges & Side Quests: Often monthly or time-limited, these encourage specific health behaviors.
Daily Habits Plans: Structured programs helping you track goals like consistent sleep or healthy eating.
Tracking Activities: Regularly logging exercise minutes, daily steps, or sleep patterns can accumulate points over time. Some programs even reward simple actions like signing into the WebMD ONE portal.
Well-being Activities: These extend beyond physical health to encompass mental, environmental, and community engagement. Activities might include participating in a book club, learning about nicotine cessation, volunteering, or engaging with an advance directive. These are often smaller point values but add up, encouraging a holistic view of health.
Consistency is crucial. Regularly checking the platform and logging activities keeps you engaged and steadily earning points throughout the year. Don’t let those small daily or monthly points slip away; they contribute significantly to your annual maximum.

Step 3: Redeeming Your Hard-Earned Gift Cards

You’ve done the work, you’ve earned the points—now it’s time for the reward. The redemption process is straightforward but has a couple of critical timing elements.
Within three business days of logging activities that push you over a redemption threshold, you’ll receive an email. This email contains a unique link to access your reward. Click this link, and you’ll be directed to a website showcasing a wide array of available gift card merchants. These typically include national retailers, popular restaurants, and various other merchants.
Your Redemption Choices:

E-cards vs. Physical Gift Cards: You’ll have the option to select e-gift cards, which are delivered almost instantly to your email, or physical gift cards, which are mailed to your provided address (and can take up to 14 business days for delivery).
Splitting Your Rewards: Most programs allow you to split your reward amount across different merchants. For instance, you could get a $25 Amazon card and a $25 Starbucks card from a $50 reward.
The Checkout Process: After selecting your cards, you’ll click “Checkout” and then “Place Order.” If opting for physical cards, ensure your mailing address is accurate.
Special Note for DeanCare Medicare Advantage Members: Instead of traditional gift cards, you’ll receive Living Healthy Reward dollars loaded directly onto your over-the-counter (OTC) benefit card. This typically happens within two weeks of redemption. These funds are versatile, usable at grocery stores, restaurants, home supply stores, and even lawn/garden centers. However, be aware that they cannot be used at retailers selling alcohol, tobacco, or firearms, which means popular stores like Target, Walmart, CVS, and Walgreens may not accept them for general purchases. Always check with your plan for the most current list of eligible retailers.
Critical Deadline Alert: December 31st!
This cannot be stressed enough: all points earned within a calendar year must be redeemed by December 31st of that same year. Points do not roll over. If you’ve earned 1,000 points and haven’t redeemed them by the deadline, they will be forfeited. Plan ahead, especially considering the three-day email delivery window for your redemption link. Aim to redeem any remaining points by mid-December to avoid last-minute issues.

Understanding Your Plan’s Specific Rewards Landscape

While the general framework for living healthy rewards is consistent, the devil is in the details when it comes to point values, annual caps, and specific eligible activities for each health plan. Knowing your plan’s specifics is key to maximizing your annual payout.

DeanCare Plan Members: Maximizing Your $150 Annual Cap

For DeanCare plan members, the annual reward ceiling is 1,500 points, equivalent to $150. Adult children (ages 18 and older) covered under a family policy can earn up to 1,000 points, or $100, per calendar year. Understanding how to reach these caps efficiently is your goal.
Key Point Values for DeanCare Members:

Online Health Assessment:
500 points for completing in Q1-Q2.
250 points for completing in Q3-Q4.
Note: Adult children are not required to complete the health assessment for points (due to EEOC/GINA changes as of January 1, 2017), though it’s still beneficial for personal health insights.
Preventive Services (Auto-Credited by Claims): These are significant point earners that require minimal effort on your part beyond getting care.
Annual Preventive Visit: 500 points
Annual Wellness Visit (Medicare Advantage): 500 points
Breast Cancer Screening: 500 points
Cervical Cancer Screening: 500 points
Colorectal Cancer Screening: 500 points
Hep C Screening, Diabetes Testing, Lipid Panel: 250 points each
Tip: These points are assigned automatically after claims processing (up to three months). If you have Q4 claims, eligibility for points can extend into Q1 of the following year, but remember the December 31st redemption deadline for current year points.
Living Healthy Portal Activities:
Various Challenges: 25-100 points monthly
Side Quests: 250 points/month (max 3,000/year)
Daily Habits Plan (completing four goals): 150 points/month (max 1,800/year)
Track Exercise (150 minutes/week): 50 points (up to 2,600 points/year)
Track Steps Daily: 1-10 points/day based on steps (up to 90-900 points/quarter)
Track Sleep Daily: 10 points/day (up to 900 points/quarter)
Sign in to WebMD ONE: 5 points/sign-in (up to 260 points/year)
Well-being Activities:
Wellness page activities (Book Club, Learning Loft, Nicotine Cessation, REAL Goals), Environmental wellness, Preventive Health Toolkit, Engage in community (Volunteer, gratitude, explore parks): 15 points per month (up to 180 points/year)
Discuss/Submit Advance Directive to PCP: 100 points
Manage Mental Health: 50 points
Learn About Where to Get the Right Care: 50 points
Dental Visit (Q1-Q2 or Q3-Q4): 50 points each
To hit that $150 cap, prioritize the early health assessment and annual preventive care. Then, consistently engage with portal activities like tracking steps or participating in monthly challenges.

Medica Plan Members: Aiming for $220 in Rewards

Medica plan members enjoy a higher annual reward cap: up to 7,000 points, or $220, per calendar year. This applies to both members and adult dependents aged 18 and older. This higher cap allows for more potential earnings through consistent engagement.
Key Point Values for Medica Members:

Online Health Assessment:
Q1-Q2: 500 points
Q3-Q4: 250 points
Preventive Services (Auto-Credited by Claims): Similar to DeanCare, these are great for passively accumulating points.
Annual Preventive Visit: 500 points
Annual Wellness Visit (Medicare Advantage): 500 points
Breast/Cervical/Colorectal Cancer Screening: 500 points each
Lipid Panel/Diabetes Testing/Hep C Screening: 250 points each
Reminder: Points assigned after claims processing (up to three months), Q4 claims eligibility extends into Q1 of the next year, but redeem current year points by Dec 31.
Living Healthy Portal Activities: Many of these offer higher point values than DeanCare.
Various Challenges: 200-500 points monthly
Side Quest: 250 points/month (max 3,000/year)
Daily Habits (completing four goals): 250 points/month (max 3,000/year)
Track Exercise (150 minutes/week): up to 2,600 points/year (value not explicitly listed per activity, implies similar 50 points per weekly completion)
Track Steps Daily: 1-10 points/day based on steps (up to 90-900 points/quarter)
Track Sleep Daily: 10 points/day (up to 900 points/quarter)
Sign in to WebMD ONE: 5 points/sign-in (up to 260 points/year)
Well-being Activities: Again, these often carry higher point values compared to DeanCare.
Wellness page activities (Book Club, Learning Loft, Nicotine Cessation, REAL Goals), Environmental wellness, Preventive health toolkit, Engage in community: 25 points per month (up to 300 points/year)
Advance Directive: 250 points
Get the Right Care: 100 points
Manage Mental Health: 100 points
Dental Visit (Q1-Q2 or Q3-Q4): 100 points each
With a higher cap, Medica members have more opportunities. Leverage those higher monthly point challenges and consistent tracking to reach the $220.

Prevea360 Health Plan Members: Clarifying Your Path

For Prevea360 Health Plan members, the details provided often differ, and specific point values aren’t as explicitly outlined as for DeanCare or Medica.
Key Considerations for Prevea360 Members:

Adult Children: Those aged 18 and older can earn points for healthy activities, similar to other plans.
Health Assessment Exclusion: Due to EEOC/GINA changes as of January 1, 2017, the Online Health Assessment is not a rewarded activity for adult children under Prevea360 plans.
Level-Funded Plans: Rewards are generally not applicable for level-funded plans under Prevea360.
Actionable Insight: If you’re a Prevea360 Health Plan member, your most important step is to directly contact your plan administrator or log into your specific member portal. This is the only way to get precise information on the reward offerings, eligible activities, and point values tailored to your plan. Don’t guess; confirm your benefits to ensure you’re pursuing the right activities for your rewards.

Smart Strategies & Avoiding Common Pitfalls

Earning living healthy rewards isn’t just about doing activities; it’s about doing them smartly. A little strategy can ensure you don’t leave money on the table.

Track Your Progress Like a Pro

Regularly log into your WebMD Living Healthy portal. Don’t wait until November to check your point balance. Make it a habit to glance at your progress, ideally monthly or quarterly. This helps you identify which activities you’re completing, what’s outstanding, and how close you are to your annual cap. Setting calendar reminders for quarterly checks or key activities (like annual preventive visits) can be highly effective.

Prioritize High-Value Activities Early

Front-load your efforts. Completing the health assessment in Q1 or Q2 not only gives you maximum points but also sets you up for additional activities. Likewise, scheduling your annual preventive visit early in the year ensures those significant auto-credited points are added to your balance well before the redemption deadline. These are often the biggest single point earners and require minimal ongoing effort on your part once completed.

The December 31st Deadline is Non-Negotiable

This is perhaps the most critical piece of advice. Your earned points are like perishable currency: they expire. The program explicitly states that all points must be redeemed by December 31st of the calendar year they are earned. To avoid disappointment, aim to redeem your points by mid-December. This gives you a buffer in case of any technical glitches, email delays, or if you need to contact support. Imagine losing out on $150 or $220 worth of gift cards because you waited until January 1st!

Tax Implications (and Your Privacy)

It’s important to be aware that health plan incentives, like living healthy rewards gift cards, may be considered taxable income. Employers might be required to report these incentives to the IRS. If this applies to your plan, the plan administrator will share incentive payment information with your employer.
However, rest assured that your health information remains strictly protected by federal law. Your specific health details, assessment responses, or activity logs are never shared with your employer. They only receive information about the value of the incentive you received, not the medical specifics behind it. Your privacy is paramount.

Quick Answers to Your Living Healthy Rewards Questions

Here are some rapid-fire answers to common queries about living healthy rewards.
Q: Can I carry over my earned points to the next calendar year?
A: No, points do not roll over. All points earned within a calendar year must be redeemed by December 31st of that same year.
Q: How long does it take to actually receive my gift card after redemption?
A: For e-gift cards, you’ll receive the redemption link via email within three business days. Physical gift cards can take up to 14 business days for postal delivery.
Q: Are my personal health details shared with my employer if I participate?
A: Absolutely not. Your health information is protected by federal law (HIPAA and GINA) and is strictly confidential. Only the value of the incentive received may be reported to your employer for tax purposes, not any specifics about your health activities.
Q: Are adult children covered under a family plan eligible for these rewards?
A: Yes, adult children (typically 18+) are often eligible, but with specific annual caps and sometimes different rules (e.g., DeanCare adult children have a $100 cap; Prevea360 adult children don’t get points for health assessments). Always check your plan’s specifics.
Q: What if I don’t receive my redemption email with the gift card link?
A: First, check your spam or junk folder. If it’s not there after three business days, contact the program’s support or your health plan administrator for assistance.
Q: Can I change my mind about the gift card I selected?
A: Once you click “Place Order” and confirm your selection, it’s typically final. Choose carefully!

Your Healthy Rewards Action Plan

Ready to turn your healthy choices into tangible rewards? Here’s your quick-start action plan:

Understand Your Plan: Log into your health plan’s member portal or call your administrator. Confirm your specific annual cap and the point values for various activities under your DeanCare, Medica, or Prevea360 plan.
Activate Early: If you haven’t already, register for your WebMD Living Healthy account and complete your health assessment as early in the year as possible (ideally Q1-Q2 for maximum points).
Prioritize Big Wins: Schedule your annual preventive visits and any eligible screenings. These often generate significant auto-credited points with minimal effort.
Log Consistently: Make a habit of tracking your daily steps, exercise, or sleep, and participating in monthly challenges or side quests. These smaller, consistent efforts add up quickly.
Monitor & Redeem: Regularly check your points balance on the portal. Set a calendar reminder to redeem any accumulated points well before the December 31st deadline, allowing for processing and delivery time.
By staying informed and actively engaging with your living healthy rewards program, you’re not just improving your health; you’re also earning valuable gift cards, making wellness a truly rewarding experience.

Author
Recent Posts

Peing Peng

I'm a health writer passionate about helping people live better with less. I believe that small, mindful choices can make a big difference in our well-being physically, mentally, and environmentally.

Through this website, I share simple, science-backed tips for low impact health whether it's gentle fitness routines, stress-free wellness habits, or eco-friendly lifestyle changes. My goal is to make healthy living more accessible, sustainable, and kind to both our bodies.