Clear Creek County 2008/2009 Wellness Initiative Launch: myhealthIQ Program

Frequently Asked Participant Questions

 

What is myhealthIQ?

myhealthIQ is a program offered by Healthways and was designed especially for employees like you.  It is an exciting and innovative program created to give you the information and tools you need to make or sustain positive lifestyle choices.  Through myhealthIQ, you will learn about your current health status, and knowing where you stand is key to navigating where you want to go.  With this valuable information, you will have important knowledge and empowerment to better control your entire well-being.

Why is this program being offered?

Participation is voluntary. myhealthIQ effectively identifies health risk factors that otherwise may not be detected without regular exams. Ultimately, myhealthIQ empowers you to improve your health by helping you better understand your risk factors and providing information and tools to help you make better health decisions.  Achieving and maintaining good health helps to better manage healthcare premium increases for you and the County.

Who can participate in this program?

Clear Creek County’s employees  as well as their spouses may participate, regardless of whether or not they are enrolled in the County’s Rocky Mountain Health Plans health insurance.

Why should I participate?

Because most of the risk factors identified through myhealthIQ have no symptoms, participating in myhealthIQ can help you proactively identify life-threatening risk factors which can lead to chronic illness.  Obtaining this in-depth information will allow you to make lifestyle changes or seek treatment in time to avoid serious illness.

To additionally encourage participation, the County is offering a financial incentive for those employees who participate and are enrolled in the County’s Rocky Mountain Health Plans health insurance.  If you participate in myhealthIQ, your 2009 health insurance premium pay deduction will be decreased by $20/month.  This means you’ll have $240 more in take-home pay over the course of the year.  There is no additional incentive for spouses to participate.  For employees who opt out of the County’s health insurance, there is no $20/month incentive, however, the County will cover the full cost of the program on you and your spouse’s behalf.

What is the cost?

The County is funding the cost of this program ($125 per person) and your participation is free.  Program results show that once employees are aware of their health risks, a majority are modifying their lifestyles and becoming healthier.  Awareness plays a huge role in health improvement, and your employer is providing for you to have all the information you need to live a full and healthy life.

How does myhealthIQ work?

myhealthIQ includes a medical screening, conducted conveniently at your worksite, and a health risk assessment (HRA) questionnaire, completed on your own.

Once you complete the HRA and participate in a worksite medical screening, you will receive your myhealthIQ score and personal health report.  Only the results of the worksite medical screening are used to calculate your myhealthIQ score, which will show you how your results compare to national health norms and will provide guidelines that are used to assess the likelihood of chronic illness.  The self-reported HRA data is collected to help you better understand your reported lifestyle habits with your actual exam results.  Both your answers on the HRA and your measurements from the worksite medical screening will be used to create your confidential personal health report, which contains a thorough and easy-to-understand explanation of your health status and any health risk factors you may have.  The report will also include helpful suggestions for how to improve your lifestyle based on your profile.

 

 

 

myhealthIQ is not intended to replace any medical care or advice from a physician. This report assesses your health at the time of the screening so you can make better decisions relating to your lifestyle and/or possible medical treatment.

What is included in the myhealthIQ Health Risk Assessment (HRA)?

The HRA is a questionnaire that requires you to complete information on your health history and lifestyle, including stress, exercise, eating habits, alcohol use, safety practices, and readiness for improvement.  This information is included in your health report but is not used to calculate your myhealthIQ score.  The information is gathered to compare what you believe against what your exam revealed.  The more honest the answers you provide, the more helpful your report will be.  The HRA is completed online and consists of approximately 90 questions that take about 30 minutes to complete.  If you do not have access to a computer, please contact myhealthIQ Customer Care for an alternative to online participation (contact information below).

What is included in the myhealthIQ worksite medical screening?

The examiners at the worksite medical screening will collect several body measurements: height, weight (which will be used to calculate body mass index), waist circumference, and resting blood pressure.  They will also collect a blood sample that will be used to determine your cholesterol levels, triglycerides, glucose levels, tobacco use, as well as other factors that can lead to lifestyle related diseases. All information is kept confidential and complies with the requirements of the Health Insurance Accountability and Portability Act (HIPAA).  myhealthIQ DOES NOT test for illicit drugs, HIV/AIDS, or hepatitis. 

Who administers the worksite medical screening and where is my sample sent?

Healthways contracts with several national companies that provide experienced independent paramedical professionals to perform the screenings. They specialize in performing both at-home insurance physicals as well as corporate wellness events. A national laboratory will process the blood samples.

Where will the worksite medical screening be conducted?

The medical screening will be held in a private area at your work location during your regular workday.

How will I receive my report?

You will be notified when your report is ready by an e-mail message to the e-mail address provided to us through the enrollment process.  If you do not have access to a computer to complete your health risk assessment online, please notify your HR contact that you need an alternate option.

What information will my employer get?

Your personal health information is solely available to you and will not be shared with anyone without your written consent. The only information your company can receive is de-identified aggregate company data (total member population percentages).  Recent Health Insurance Accountability and Portability Act (HIPAA) regulations prohibit anyone at your employer from receiving any of your personal health information.

How can I find out more?

1.      Web: www.myhealthiq.com

2.      Phone: 1-866-449-9705

3.      E-mail: mhiqsupport@healthways.com

 

If it is unreasonably difficult due to medical condition for you to achieve the standards for the incentive under this program, or if it is medically inadvisable for you to attempt to achieve the standards for the incentive under this program, call myhealthIQ Customer Care at Healthways at 1-866-449-9705, and program representatives will work with you to develop another way to qualify for the reward.  It is important that you work directly with Healthways on these matters to ensure your privacy is protected.