5 Ways Wellness Gift Cards Incentivize Annual Health Screenings

Accountable Care Organizations (ACOs), Medicaid/Medicare payers, and community health programs work year-round to improve preventive care compliance. Yet many beneficiaries still skip their annual screenings due to work conflicts, transportation issues, or a lack of understanding about the long-term value of preventive care.

For high-risk and underserved populations, skipping an annual checkup can lead to costly complications down the line—for both the patient and the healthcare system. The CDC notes that preventive services help detect illness early when treatment is more likely to be effective, yet millions of people do not receive these services.

One proven solution? Wellness gift card incentives. When used strategically, gift cards can help motivate patients to schedule appointments, follow through with visits, and form healthier habits.

1. Promote Telehealth for Safer, Easier Access

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, telehealth has remained a vital tool for preventive care. For patients who face transportation, mobility, or health-related barriers, virtual visits offer a low-risk way to stay connected with care providers.

Gift card incentives can support telehealth participation by:

• Covering uninsured service costs
• Encouraging survey participation post-visit
• Reinforcing positive appointment behaviors

Offering gift cards for completed telehealth check-ins can boost engagement without logistical friction.

2. Reward Proactive Scheduling

Encouraging members to schedule appointments in advance can reduce no-shows and increase continuity of care. Research from the American Academy of Pediatrics shows that children insured by Medicaid often miss preventive visits, leading to missed diagnoses and delayed intervention.

Gift card incentives can be tiered to encourage:

• Early appointment booking
• Completion of consecutive screenings
• Follow-up visits for chronic conditions

This two-step reward approach helps reinforce healthy routines.

3. Target Non-Compliant or At-Risk Populations

Focus incentives on individuals who have historically skipped screenings or shown low engagement. These patients often face systemic or economic barriers—and are the most likely to benefit from tangible support.

Use gift cards for:

• Low-barrier activities like completing a health survey
• Attending a first preventive appointment
• Choosing essentials like personal care or groceries

Retailers like CVS^®, Walgreens, or Target help fulfill immediate needs while associating care with reward.

4. Overcome Transportation Barriers

According to the American Hospital Association, 3.6 million people miss medical care each year due to transportation issues. Providing gift cards for ride-share services like Uber helps reduce no-show rates and supports timely access to care.

Gift card incentives can:

• Offset the cost of roundtrip rides
• Be paired with appointment reminders
• Reduce caregiver burden for dependent adults

Removing travel as a barrier can dramatically improve preventive care adherence.

5. Use Gift Cards to Reinforce Healthy Habits

Educational outreach combined with lifestyle support can drive sustained wellness behaviors. Whether patients are learning about cancer screenings, blood pressure checks, or nutritional health, positive reinforcement helps turn good intentions into actions.

Wellness-focused gift card options include:

• CVS – for prescriptions and personal care
• Home Chef – for healthy meals delivered at home
• Grocery retailers – to support diet-related care plans

With the right education and incentives, members are more likely to prioritize screenings and continue with treatment plans.

Why Use Gift Cards?

The Engage2Reward™ Gift Card Ordering Platform makes it easy to:

• Select from 300+ top brands, including wellness and transportation options
• Distribute cards digitally or physically—individually or in bulk
• Track engagement and compliance with secure reporting
• Offer volume-based discounts for health programs and nonprofit partners

Whether you’re running a statewide Medicaid initiative or a local community health program, the Engage2Reward Platform gives you the tools to increase preventive screening attendance—while supporting patient dignity and autonomy.

Learn more about how gift card incentives can boost compliance with preventive appointments within your program today! 

Register for an account on the Engage2Reward Platform to access over 250 digital brands to get the best incentives for Medicaid and Medicare members.