Living Rewards Earn Gift Cards For Your Healthy Lifestyle

Imagine getting rewarded for making healthy choices you’d likely make anyway – like hitting the gym, getting your annual check-up, or even learning a bit more about nutrition. That’s the power of living rewards programs, transforming everyday wellness activities into tangible benefits like gift cards. These programs aren’t just a nice perk; they’re a smart strategy to encourage consistent healthy habits by offering a clear, direct incentive.
This guide dives deep into how specific living rewards programs work, focusing on Dean Healthy Living Rewards and Medica Living Healthy Rewards. We’ll cover the ins and outs of earning, redeeming, and maximizing your points, ensuring you turn every healthy step into a valuable reward.

At a Glance: Unlocking Your Living Rewards

• Earn Points for Wellness: Convert healthy activities (assessments, preventive care, daily tracking) into reward points.
• Cash Value: 10 points typically equal $1 for DeanCare, while Medica uses a different overall maximum ($220 for 7,000 points).
• Annual Limits: Standard adults can earn up to $150 (DeanCare) or $220 (Medica) per year. Adult children have specific, lower limits.
• Gift Card Redemption: Points convert to e-cards or physical gift cards from national retailers and restaurants. Medicare Advantage members for DeanCare use an OTC benefit card.
• Redeem by December 31st: All earned points must be redeemed within the calendar year.
• Eligibility: Generally, members aged 18 and older are eligible.

The Foundation of Living Rewards: How Points Turn into Perks

At its core, a living rewards program is designed to recognize and reward your commitment to health. Whether you’re completing a health assessment, getting recommended screenings, or actively tracking your fitness, these actions accumulate points that translate into real-world value. Think of it as your health insurance plan giving you a high-five, backed by a gift card.
Both Dean Healthy Living Rewards and Medica Living Healthy Rewards leverage a similar structure: you complete activities, log them (or they’re auto-credited), and then redeem your accumulated points for gift cards. The key differences lie in the specific point values for certain activities and the maximum annual earning potential. For example, DeanCare members can earn up to 1,500 points ($150) per calendar year, while Medica members can reach up to 7,000 points, which equates to a maximum of $220 annually. This difference highlights the importance of understanding your specific plan’s details.
For those curious about the broader program framework and how it integrates with your overall health plan, you can dive into the main guide: Learn about Dean Healthy Living Rewards. This cluster article builds on that foundation by giving you the practical steps to start earning today.

Your Step-by-Step Playbook for Earning Rewards

Getting started with living rewards is straightforward, typically involving three main steps: assessment, activity logging, and redemption. Let’s break down each one.

Step 1: Kick Off with Your Health Assessment

Your journey usually begins with a health assessment, a set of lifestyle questions on the WebMD platform. This isn’t just about collecting data; it’s a valuable tool to help you understand your current well-being and unlock additional reward opportunities.

• DeanCare: Completing your health assessment in Q1-Q2 earns a significant 500 points. If you complete it later in the year (Q3-Q4), you’ll still get 250 points. This initial step is crucial as it often unlocks access to other reward-earning activities.
• Medica: Similar to DeanCare, a Q1-Q2 completion grants 500 points, while Q3-Q4 yields 250 points. First-time WebMD Living Healthy users will also need to complete a quick registration before starting the assessment.
  Pro Tip: Tackle your health assessment early in the calendar year to snag the maximum points and ensure you have full access to all program features from the start.

Step 2: Log Your Healthy Activities (or Let Them Auto-Credit)

Once your assessment is done, it’s time to engage with the program’s array of healthy activities. These fall into a few categories: activities you manually log, and preventive services that automatically credit based on claims.

• Manual Logging: For portal activities like challenges, tracking exercise, or signing into WebMD ONE, you’ll generally navigate to the “rewards” tab on the Living Healthy platform, then “Healthy Activities,” and finally “Report Completion.” This is where you actively record your efforts.
• Auto-Credit for Preventive Services: Many high-value activities, like annual physicals or cancer screenings, are automatically credited to your account once the claim processes. This can take up to three months, so patience is key. Don’t worry if a Q4 service takes until Q1 of the next year to process; you’ll still be eligible for those points for the year the service was rendered.

Step 3: Get Your Reward – From Points to Gift Cards

After logging activities or waiting for claims to process, your points will accumulate. The exciting part is redeeming them!

• Redemption Link: Within three days of logging activities (or points being credited), you’ll receive an email with a redemption link. This link is your gateway to choosing your rewards.
• Gift Card Options: You can select e-cards or physical gift cards from a variety of national retailers, restaurants, and merchants. Both DeanCare and Medica offer flexibility to split your rewards across different merchants, allowing you to tailor your rewards to your preferences.
• Timing: E-cards are often instant or near-instant. Physical cards, if you choose them, may take up to 14 business days to arrive.
• Medicare Advantage Note (DeanCare): If you’re a DeanCare Medicare Advantage member, your reward dollars are loaded onto your over-the-counter (OTC) benefit card within two weeks. This card is versatile, usable at grocery stores, restaurants, home supply stores, and even lawn/garden stores, though it excludes purchases of alcohol, tobacco, or firearms.

Maximizing Your Points: A Deep Dive into Activity Categories

Understanding the various activities and their associated point values is crucial for optimizing your living rewards earnings. Let’s break down the opportunities available through DeanCare and Medica.

1. Preventive Services: The High-Value Essentials (Auto-Credit)

These are arguably the easiest points to earn because they often involve services you’d get anyway to maintain your health. Both DeanCare and Medica automatically credit these points once the claims are processed.

• Insight: These auto-credited points are some of the most substantial individual rewards. Plan your preventive care early in the year to ensure claims process well before the December 31st redemption deadline. A delayed claim for a Q4 service might still be processed in Q1 of the next year and count for the prior year, but it’s best not to cut it too close.

2. Living Healthy Portal Activities: Engagement Pays Off

These activities involve logging in and actively participating within the WebMD Living Healthy platform. They encourage consistent engagement and offer a steady stream of points.

• Insight: “Side Quests” and “Daily Habits” are particularly lucrative for both programs, offering significant monthly and annual point totals for consistent effort. Tracking daily activities like steps, exercise, and sleep, while individually small, can add up substantially over a year. Don’t underestimate the simple act of signing into WebMD ONE; those 5 points per sign-in can quietly build up to 260 points annually.

3. Well-being Activities: Holistic Health Rewards

Beyond physical health, these programs recognize the importance of mental, environmental, and community well-being.

• Insight: These categories broaden the scope of “healthy living” to include community involvement and proactive health planning. While individual points might seem smaller, consistent engagement in monthly well-being activities can add up. The advance directive is a great one-time boost for both programs, with Medica offering a higher point value.

Important Considerations for Your Living Rewards Journey

To avoid surprises and maximize your benefits, keep these crucial details in mind:

• Annual Earning Caps:
• DeanCare: Adults 18+ can earn up to 1,500 points ($150). Adult children (18+) covered under a family policy can earn up to 1,000 points ($100).
• Medica: Adults 18+ (including adult children 18+) can earn up to 7,000 points ($220).
• Redemption Deadline: This is critical! All points earned in a calendar year must be redeemed by December 31st of that year. Unredeemed points are typically forfeited. Set reminders!
• Adult Children and Health Assessments (DeanCare): Due to EEOC and GINA changes as of January 1, 2017, adult children (18+) covered under a family policy are not rewarded for completing the Health Assessment in DeanCare’s program. This is an important distinction from the main policyholder. Medica does allow adult children to earn up to the full $220 max, implying they can complete the assessment.
• Taxable Income: Health plan-issued incentives may be required to be reported as taxable income by employers. Medica specifically states it is required to report this information to employers. DeanCare notes employers may be required to report it. It’s wise to be aware of this potential, especially for higher earning amounts.
• Data Privacy: Your health information is protected by federal law and will not be shared with your employer. Your privacy is maintained while you earn rewards.
• Claims Processing Delays: Remember that auto-credited points for preventive services can take up to three months to process. Factor this into your planning, especially for services received late in the year.

Quick Answers to Common Questions

Getting rewarded for healthy habits is a fantastic benefit, but a few questions often pop up.
Q: How long does it take to get my gift card after I redeem points?
A: If you choose an e-card, you’ll typically receive a redemption link within three days of logging activities, allowing you to get your e-card very quickly. For physical gift cards, allow up to 14 business days for delivery after selecting your reward.
Q: What if my preventive screening claim takes a long time to process? Will I lose my points?
A: No, generally you won’t. Claims processing can take up to three months. If you had a Q4 service in one year and the claim processes in Q1 of the following year, you remain eligible for those points, and they’ll be counted for the year the service was completed.
Q: Can adult children covered under a family plan earn living rewards?
A: Yes, but with specific limits and conditions. For DeanCare, adult children (18+) can earn up to $100 annually but are not rewarded for completing the Health Assessment. For Medica, adult children (18+) can earn up to the full program maximum of $220 per calendar year.
Q: Do my living rewards points expire?
A: Yes, all points earned in a calendar year must be redeemed by December 31st of that same year. Unredeemed points will be forfeited, so mark your calendar for a year-end redemption!
Q: Are living rewards considered taxable income?
A: Employers may be required to report health plan-issued incentives as taxable income. Medica explicitly states it is required to report this information to employers. It’s a good idea to consider this and consult with a tax professional if you have concerns.

Your Actionable Plan for Consistent Rewards

The path to maximizing your living rewards is clear: engage consistently, know your program’s specifics, and be mindful of deadlines.

1. Start Early with Your Health Assessment: Complete this in Q1-Q2 for the maximum points and to unlock other activities.
2. Schedule Preventive Care: Prioritize your annual physical, screenings, and dental visits. These are high-value, often auto-credited points for actions you should take anyway.
3. Engage Daily/Monthly: Make WebMD Living Healthy portal activities a regular part of your routine. Side Quests, Daily Habits, and tracking exercise, steps, and sleep accumulate points steadily. Even signing in to WebMD ONE a few times a week adds up.
4. Understand Your Plan’s Details: Know your specific program’s annual point maximums and any special conditions (e.g., adult child rules, Medicare Advantage specifics).
5. Set Redemption Reminders: Crucially, redeem your points by December 31st each year. Don’t let your hard-earned rewards expire!
   By adopting this proactive approach, you’re not just earning gift cards; you’re reinforcing a lifestyle of health and well-being, getting tangible benefits for every step along the way. Your healthy choices truly have a rewarding payoff.

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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.

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