Evaluating the Impact of Insurer-Sponsored Health Coaching on Hospitalization and Costs in India: A Retrospective Cohort Study

Health coaching programs are emerging as a promising intervention to improve disease management and reduce healthcare costs, particularly in the context of insurer-sponsored wellness initiatives. While such programs have shown positive outcomes in Western healthcare settings, their effectiveness in India remains underexplored. This study examines the impact of a health coaching program implemented by a prominent Indian health insurer (Aditya Birla Health Insurance), focusing on hospitalization rates and claims paid among high-risk policyholders. To assess the intervention's effectiveness, a retrospective analysis was conducted on participants enrolled in the ABHI-Zyla Health Coaching Program from April 2023 to March 2024. Analyzing patient engagement data for 29,463 patients, we found that higher participation in health coaching, measured by the number of interventions made, was associated with lower total claims paid for preventable conditions. Regression results indicate that this relationship is stronger for females and those with a higher number of resolved symptoms as a result of the interventions. These findings suggest that structured health coaching can play a vital role in reducing hospitalization rates and healthcare costs. By providing empirical evidence on the benefits of insurer-led coaching programs, this study offers actionable insights for insurers, policymakers, and healthcare providers. Strengthening such initiatives can contribute to a shift toward proactive disease management, ultimately addressing the growing burden of non-communicable diseases in India, as well as saving claim costs for insurers.