 

 

To:       All Hendrix Employees    

 

From:   Vicki Lynn

 

Date:   October 22, 2009

 

Please print and post this announcement and attachments for employees who do not have access to e-mail.

 

As you know, we have been partners with EngagementHealth for our Wellness Program since 1/1/09, and I wanted to let you know this first year with EngagementHealth has been a success!    Because of some of the lifestyle changes made with this plan, we have been able to hold the costs to our employees for health insurance at the same rate as last year.  Total actual medical and prescription claims for the eight months ending August 31, 2009 are trending about 8% less than the originally projected eight month claim total expected for 2009. We still have four more months of data to collect, but the current trend is positive.  With the national increase for employer?s cost for health insurance trending at 6% percent and employee?s cost for health care trending at 10% - this speaks volumes.  We will continue this program with EngagementHealth, and the premiums will remain as they have been for 2009.  What this means is that you will not receive an increase for health insurance in January and all benefits under our health plan will remain the same as well!

 

You will be asked to make an election again this year as to whether you choose to participate in this plan during the time period beginning November 2, 2009 and ending on November 23, 2009.  The deadline for making this election is November 23, 2009.  The Participant Core Calls will need to be made beginning on November 26, 2009 and the last date to make the call is December 30, 2009.

 

In addition, I have been collecting concerns sent to me by employees regarding the program, and EngagementHealth has taken these comments and incorporated changes for 2010.  Here are some of the changes effective 1/1/2010:

 

Support:  

1.	We had many complaints that while e-mail response was good, there are times when you want to talk to a real person.  There will be live support ? Monday thru Friday (9am ? 5 pm CST) at 1-888-ENG-HLTH.  Note:  this does not mean that you will never have to leave a message, but there are people who will definitely call you back the same day that you have to leave a message.  Obviously, if you call late in the afternoon the return call may be the next morning :-) 
2.	Employees complained that there were too many e-mail messages, and EngagementHealth has cut the number of messages being sent 
3.	You can also make changes to your profile and preferences regarding your phone and e-mail notifications.  When you sign on ? you will find ?My Account? on the left hand side of the screen.  Click on that option and you can make changes to your personal information, along with ?Notifications? on the far right side 

 

Programs:  

1.      We will introduce a new Healthy Behaviors Assessment ? focused on the risks for chronic preventable disease with an easy to read summary for members 

2.      New Nutrition and General Fitness Program that is focused on nutrition and exercise.  This program replaces the Calorie Tracking Program

3.      New Tobacco Cessation program that incorporates nutrition, physical activity and stress management

4.      Ability to complete the food diary over the phone using the EngagementHealth Voice to Text System

5.      Mid-year cholesterol at-home test will be added to the Cholesterol Program for enhanced monitoring

6.      Call hours will be extended for members to schedule their calls

7.      There have been other changes made to the programs, and these specifics are attached

 

Employee Communications:

1.      Employees will be provided with easy to follow information, emphasizing key information needed to be successful in the EngagementHealth program

2.      Employee communications will be available online for spouse or remote workers unable to attend onsite meetings

 

Health Screens:

1.      We are changing from semi-annual to annual health screens.  Our health screening will be held sometime in February

2.      Fasting until you have your tests on campus will no longer be required ? all members that need a cholesterol test will be provided with home cholesterol kits

 

New Incentives/Program Changes:

It?s been proven through many studies that a well designed, communicated and implemented wellness program can make significant improvements in the health care costs of a plan and the health of employees.  But, they only work effectively if the company is willing to create a pervasive culture of wellness ? and that goes well beyond a pedometer!  We have passed the first stage of the wellness plan, and people are more engaged with their health.  Now it?s time to push the program further.  In order to maintain the incentive for the weight challenge and targeted risk programs that you select, you must complete at least 75% of the weekly activity and reporting requirements each quarter.

 

1.       New Annual Incentive Amounts: 

*        Core Program:  $80/eligible person

*        Weight Challenge:  $120/eligible person

*        Targeted Risk Program:  $400/eligible person

This means an employee has $600/year in incentives and $1,200/year if the spouse/domestic partner is also covered.

 

2.      Special Achievement Incentives (See Attachments): 

*        Steps Incentive:  

*        Weight Loss Incentive

*        Rewards are subject to any applicable tax and withholding.

NOTE:  Since there is a significant amount of money involved in rewards for these two plans, a spouse/domestic partner who does not come on campus on a regular basis can still use the web for reporting results.  However, they must attend on-site health screenings and report their weight and steps at least monthly through an EngagementHealth kiosk or through a personal computer uploading pedometers and scales.

 

I am looking forward to making healthier choices on a personal level next year, and I hope you will continue on this journey as well.

 

Vicki J. Lynn

Associate Vice President of Business and

Director of Human Resources

Hendrix College

1600 Washington Avenue

Conway, AR  72032

E-mail:  lynn@hendrix.edu

