Finally! It’s good to hear some news about health care that doesn’t discuss the debates going on in the Senate but rather talks about the real people’s health concern. During a one-on-one interview with Washington Business Journal Editor Doug Fruehling, Chet Burrell, president and CEO of the Owings Mills, Md.-based insurer, announced the plan that CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield Inc. will roll out an incentive program to encourage people to live healthier.

The health insurance product, which is estimated to be available next year, is called Healthy Blue. People who’ll register for Healthy Blue will receive a health risk evaluation at CareFirst’s expense and it includes reviewing blood work and drug and prescription histories.

“If you look good and healthy we will give you up to a $300 health debit card or put that deposit into your [health reimbursement arrangement (HRA)] or [health savings account (HSA)],” Burrell explained. “If you don’t look so good but you mitigate those factors and improve them we will give you that award as well.”

Should a person become sick, they would have to pay a deductible for care. If they agree to have their care guided by CareFirst, the insurer would lessen that deductible. If a patient opts to have it guided, CareFirst would set up a care plan through the patient’s primary and nurse practitioner.

“We would help you [navigate it] and make it financially worth your while,” he said.