Dancers who were disguised as blue-haired senior citizens invaded Times Square in New York City this week in an effort to call attention to the need to plan for long-term care for aging Americans, according to 3in4 Need More.

Named for the statistic that states that 70 percent of people over the age of 65 require more than standard healthcare services, the nonprofit organization works to educate the general public on the realities of aging while simultaneously promoting legislative bids to make medical services more affordable for the elderly, according to the its website.

Because Medicare and private health insurance coverage for acute and extended care is limited, 3in4 Need More stresses the importance of preparedness.

"These long-term care needs can sneak up on us as quickly as a flash mob - which is why it’s so important for Americans to plan ahead," said Dr. Marion Sommers, an expert on elder care who is teaming with the NPO in its campaign to educate seniors and their familial caregivers on what maintaining health can entail for retirees.

Dr. Sommers will be spending the summer crisscrossing the country to spread the word about at-home and on-site care healthcare costs. 

Harris Interactive reports that the frequency of unhealthy behaviors such as nicotine use and conditions such as obesity have continued at a steady rate, according to the results of its poll on lifestyle trends, which was released this week.

The Harris Poll found that while 18 percent of adults smoked, a whopping 78 percent of Americans over the age of 18 were overweight or obese. Obesity and smoking can lead to a myriad of health problems,which has prompted may companies to consider shifting the financial burden of increasing health insurance costs to those who partake in bad habits.

For example, the state of Arizona is contemplating charging vice-ridden hyphenate residents fees for their bad behavior, according to The New York Times. Due to gaping holes in its Medicaid program, the state's Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) has proposed levying penalties for smokers and diabetics who do not follow their primary care provider's recommendations to shed pounds, according to the news source.

Monica Coury, a spokesperson for the AHCCCS explained the agency's reasoning.

"We’re not going to prevent you from smoking, but you have to put a little bit more into the system because it costs us more," Coury said, quoted by the news source. 

In a bid to curb health insurance costs and provide better healthcare services, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida (BCBSF) launched its new iPhone and Android app this week, according to company officials.

In an age defined by internet access on the go and constant status updates, providing accurate and helpful health insurance information in a mobile format could help define BCBSF as a leader in technologically convenient insurance coverage.

Open to subscribers and non-subscribers alike, the app is designed to reduce individual healthcare expenses and expand access to health-related information. Director of strategic development at BCBSF Adriana Murillo explained that the Florida Blue mobile app was one way for the company to meet consumer needs in a climate of evolving technology.

"We are focused on understanding the needs of mobile users in the context of their health when on the go and providing mobile solutions to meet those needs," said Murillo.

The free application will provide updated information about benefits and plan information to members, and services such as a weather-induced health alerts and a health toolkit to everyone. 

The National Business Coalition on Health (NBCH) recently released its fourth annual eValue8 report, which rates the nation's health insurance plans on their ability to prevent diabetes and provide affordable quality care for those who are already suffering from the disease, according to organization officials.

While the report found that America's health insurers have made progress, it also showed that there is still much work to be done to get the level of care up to snuff. While there have been no significant changes to strategies that are related to diabetes care, management of the disease is widely offered, as 88 percent of plans listed the service, according to the report's findings.

Andrew Webber, president and CEO of NBCH, warned that growing obesity rates will lead to more cases of diabetes. In light of the growing number of individuals who have been diagnosed with diabetes, the study can be a vital tool for employers that are in their search for group health insurance policies.

"Using information from eValue8, purchasers are holding their plans accountable to close quality of care gaps, engage their members and focus on preventing costly chronic conditions such as diabetes," he said. 

Wellness Coaches USA, national purveyor of in house wellness coaching, recently announced that its partnership with Furmano Foods has led to a three year decrease in healthcare costs for the Pennsylvania-based food distributor, according to company officials.

By offering health and wellness services on-site, Wellness Coaches USA has been able to improve the overall well-being of employees, which has in turn reduced health insurance costs for employers. For Furmano foods, this has resulted in yearly healthcare costs that have consistently been lower than expected.

The announcement comes amid a widespread trend toward promoting wellness in the workplace, which has been encouraged by many state and local governments. For example, southern Florida's Miami-Dade county holds annual awards for local companies that are committed to keeping employees fit, according to The South Florida Times.

Presented by the Miami-Dade County Health Department (MDCHD), the awards are meant to encourage business owners to boost such preventative programs.

"In an era of rising healthcare costs and increased risk for chronic diseases, this program is essential for educating the local business community about the many wonderful benefits that worksite wellness programs provide," MDCHD administrator Lillian Rivera said, according to the news source.