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Wouldn't it be nice to get paid for doing things that keep you healthy? The concept isn't a new one, but it hasn't caught on as much as it should, especially among health insurers who could do a lot to promote it. But there's a new player on the way, and it may get the ball rolling.

Led by a veteran executive out of the traditional health-insurance field, SeeChange aims to redefine the business by offering consumers a value proposition that seems hard to turn down: You save money if you agree to a few healthy commitments.

Under its model, if you see your primary-care doctor for a routine annual wellness exam, agree to a blood draw to screen for common troubles and fill out an online questionnaire, you'll reap at least $1,200 in savings and have co-insurance payments waived. The idea is to prevent illness and/or catch disease early enough to keep problems -- and thus long-term costs -- to a minimum.

It's the same idea as all preventive maintenance: Spend a little on an oil change now or spend a lot on an engine repair later.

-- assistant managing editor/Personal Finance

HEALTH CARE

New health insurer challenges the status quo

Making health insurance more user-friendly and responsive to people's routine and preventive-care needs isn't rocket science. So says Martin Watson, chief executive of SeeChange Health, a start-up in the world of established behemoths such as UnitedHealthcare (UNH) and Aetna Inc. (AET) , two of his former employers.

Health insurance 2.0

Martin Watson of SeeChange Health, a new health-insurance company focusing on the small group and individual markets, discusses how his firm will encourage consumers to get care early and often, which he says is different from legacy insurers that seek to avoid claims and calls.

Health-care overhaul inches along in key committee

Members of the Senate Finance Committee on Wednesday made slow progress on a sweeping health-care overhaul bill, turning aside an amendment that would have further delayed the measure and preparing for bigger, more-contentious amendments to come.

CONSUMER WATCH

Four tips on how to fight back when your card issuer raises rates, changes terms

Are you seething mad because you've paid your bills on time, but your credit-card company still insists on changing your rate or other important terms? You're probably thinking, "I'd love to take them on." Well, here's the story of one person who fought the battle and won, simply by arming himself with a little information, a lot of chutzpah and a bit of support from yours truly.

INVESTING

Seven stocks to punctuate a diversified portfolio

Bob Doll, the global chief investment officer for equities at BlackRock Inc. (BLK) , says these seven stocks could do well in a diversified portfolio in the current market climate.

The 'new normal' won't feel normal at all: Doll

It's been so long since the market and economy have been "normal" that most investors won't remember what it truly feels like. Bob Doll remembers, however, and he says that a return to normalcy is coming. BlackRock's Doll, a veteran Wall Street observer, is the kind of guy an average investor would like to chat with during uncertain times like these.

Citi cautions against jumping on builder bandwagon

A Citigroup analyst tracking home-builder stocks warned investors Thursday not to chase the rally in the volatile sector, which has grown overvalued after the beaten-down shares roared back from their March lows.

REAL ESTATE

Seeking a real-estate bargain? Try high-end homes

Falling real-estate prices are becoming as much a feature of high-end neighborhoods as ocean views, infinity pools and four-car garages.

Foreclosure-mediation programs falter: report

Over the past year, a number of state and local programs came into effect requiring mediations or conferences before foreclosure sales take place, which could help some homeowners possibly modify their mortgages before losing their homes, according to the National Consumer Law Center.

Talks stall on mortgage program

Talks have stalled between the Obama administration and U.S. banks on how to fix the only federal effort geared toward homeowners who owe much more on their mortgages than their homes are worth.

Existing home sales drop 2.7% in August to 5.10 million pace

Resales of U.S. homes dropped 2.7% in August to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.1 million, the first decline in five months, the National Association of Realtors reported Thursday.

Mortgage rates hold at three-month lows

Mortgage rates held their three-month lows this week, with the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaging 5.04%, unchanged from last week, according to Freddie Mac's weekly survey of conforming mortgage rates.