Preliminary analysis of short-term financial implications of a prevention bonus program: first results from the German Statutory Health Insurance.

Objectives: With the implementation of the Health Care Modernization Act in 2004 sickness funds in Germany were given the opportunity to award bonuses to their insured for health-promoting behavior. The aim of this study was to investigate the financial implications of a prevention bonus program from a sickness fund perspective.

Method: The investigation was designed as a controlled cohort study (matched pair study) comprising 70,429 members in each group.