Earn a $200 Healthy Weight Incentive!  The Healthy Weight Incentive is available annually to members of the State Plan and their covered spouse/domestic partner who complete an eligible program and meet the Healthy Weight Incentive requirements. Only one Healthy Weight Incentive can be earned per member per plan year.  

The three programs listed below are eligible for the Healthy Weight Incentive.

1. Weight Watchers
2. Healthy For Life Self-Study Program; OR
3. Diabetes Prevention Program

Healthy Weight Incentive Requirements 

These are the MINIMUM requirements to earn the Healthy Weight Incentive.  Please note that you do not return the application until you have met the requirements of the Healthy Weight Incentive.  There is no pre-approval required to start.  

Please review the application form (under the "Healthy Weight Incentive Forms" section, below) for examples of the documentation that is required, depending on the program you choose. 

1. Must show proof of 10% weight loss or a normal BMI.  Documentation of this must come from a third party (i.e. not the member).  An example is weight measurements from a health screening or doctor’s office.  This can vary slightly depending on the program you choose.  
2. Must show participation in one of the three eligible programs for at least 4 months.  This is NOT a recommendation or limitation on how long members should participate in the programs, as most are longer duration.  This is a minimum requirement to be able to apply to earn the Healthy Weight Incentive.  Each member is encouraged to complete the programs and stay enrolled as long as they need to.
3. Must show participation in regular physical activity. Documentation of this may be from the member. An example is a hand-written note describing a typical week of activity. Walk With Ease is an excellent program for those with chronic conditions or beginning exercisers.
4. The Healthy Weight Incentive application form (specific to the eligible program) must be completed and returned to HCBD AFTER you have met the program requirements and are ready to apply for the Incentive.  The form must be returned in a timely manner.
5. Retirees must also fill out and return the W-9 form.  The form is required for retirees since this is a taxable benefit. 

Each program is different. Please review the information about each program and decide which, if any, will work for you. 

Why a Healthy Weight Incentive?

Weight management is the one of the most important issues that we, the Plan members, want to address.  The Healthy Weight Incentive requirements were set based on scientific evidence that shows the greatest rewards for our members and our Plan comes with support from an evidence-based program, regular physical activity, and weight loss of at least 10% (or achieving a normal BMI).  The Healthy Weight Incentive is designed to reward members who have put forth the effort needed to achieve the requirements.  

Please use your discretion when considering the information provided in these programs and talk to your doctor as needed prior to making any changes. 

Eligible Healthy Weight Incentive Programs

• WW (Weight Watchers) - Click for more details about WW.
• Healthy for Life Self Study Program - Click for more details about Healthy For Life.
• Diabetes Prevention Programs - See below for more details about the Diabetes Prevention Program.

Healthy Weight Incentive Application Forms
Download the application form for the eligible program of your choice to learn more about how to earn the Healthy Weight Incentive specifically for that program. 

To earn the Healthy Weight Incentive, fill out and return the Incentive Application form along with required documentation once you have met the requirements to earn the Healthy Weight Incentive.

• WW Incentive Application Form
• HFL Incentive Application Form
• DPP Incentive Application Form
• W-9 form (retirees only)

Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) Additional Information

The Montana DPP is a one-year program that supports healthy lifestyle changes for adults who are at risk for developing type 2 diabetes. Trained lifestyle coaches deliver the program through group meetings at 19 organizations across the state or virtually (see "New in 2022," below).  Participants gain confidence and learn new life skills.  

Diabetes Prevention Program Overview

Adults are eligible to participate in the DPP if they are overweight, have medical clearance, and have one or more of the following risk factors:

• Pre-diabetes
• High blood pressure
• High LDL cholesterol, low HDL cholesterol, or high triglycerides
• Had gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) or delivered a baby >9 lbs.

You will attend 1-hour group classes for a 16-week series of nutrition and physical activity classes and then 6 monthly classes. You will learn how to make better food choices, be more active, and manage stress or other challenges to help you lose weight.

If you are interested in a in-person program, you can find locations of Diabetes Prevention Programs in Montana by clicking on the "Find a DPP Site" tab.  Please contact a DPP site in your area for details on costs or program start dates. 

The DPP is available virtually!  

• The Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services has partnered with HabitNU to give Montana residents access to the DPP virtually!
• Participants can easily determine if they are eligible to participate by filling out a short online quiz: https://www.partners.habitnu.com/montanadpp.
• There is flexibility in how individuals participate. The virtual program is a combination of live webinar sessions and weekly videos with additional resources.  ​
• Participants are able choose from 5 different program options for the one that fits their lifestyle or timeframe of enrollment best.
• There are no geographic limitations, State Plan members located in Montana can enroll with any of the virtual program "locations."

For more information on the virtual DPP program (HabitNu) enrollment, or the DPP in general, please email Melissa House at melissa.house@mt.gov.  You may also visit the DPP web site here: dphhs.mt.gov/publichealth/chronicdisease/CommunityBasedPrograms

The State Plan offers the incentive program to all plan members and their enrolled spouse/domestic partner. If you think you may be unable to meet a standard of the incentive program, you may qualify for an alternative program or different means to earn the incentive. You must contact the Health Care & Benefits Division (HCBD) as soon as possible at (800) 287-8266, TTY (406) 444-1421, or emailbenefitsquestions@mt.gov. We will work with you (and if you wish, your doctor) to design a program with the same incentive that is right for you. We will maintain the privacy of your personally identifiable health information. Medical information that personally identifies you and that is provided through the incentive program will not be used to make decisions regarding your employment. Your health information shall only be disclosed to carry out specific activities related to the incentive program (such as responding to your request for a reasonable accommodation). You will not be asked or required to waive the confidentiality of your health information to participate or to receive an incentive. Anyone who receives your information for purposes of providing you services through the incentive program will abide by the same confidentiality requirements. We securely maintain all electronically stored medical information we obtain through the incentive program, and will take appropriate precautions to avoid a data breach. If a data breach does occur involving information you provided to us for the incentive program, we will notify you immediately. A copy of the Plan’s privacy notice is available on the HCBD website or by going to benefits.mt.gov/_docs/Documents/hipaa-notice.pdf.