Available Now
Unlike previous years, the Wellness Pledges are available to you now through September 30, 2014. In conjunction with Employee Wellness, the Benefits Team is hoping by offering you these opportunities well in advance of Open Enrollment you will be more prone to take positive action about your health early on.
Here's How it Works
You have from January 1 to September 30, 2014 to complete four Wellness Pledges in exchange for four paycheck credits in 2015. Each pledge is worth $260 annually, totaling $1,040 in savings to your pockets in 2015. Step One: You must choose to complete and submit your health assessment in order to proceed with the other three out of nine pledges offered. The reason for this HA requirement is so you take accountability of your health.
- Visit myuhc.com
- If you have not registered yet: register, login, then click the blue button on the right side of the screen "Health Assessment" - this will take you to another registration and login screen where you will use the same username and password you used for myuhc
- If you are already registered from last year: Simply login and click on Health Assessment and begin the assessment
- Once complete hit submit, and save your confirmation statement.
- You cannot resubmit your HA until six months have passed since your last Health Assessment
- If you were unable to complete your 2014 HA until January 2014, your HA is then good for 2015 Wellness Pledge compliance
Step Two: Choose to complete three of the nine pledges listed below before September 30, 2014. Each pledge will be tracked by one of three carriers: UnitedHealthcare, Davis Vision or Cigna. There is nothing for you to track. Choose to act on three of the following Wellness Pledges now, in exchange for paycheck credits in 2015:
- Physician Wellness Visit
- Dental Exam
- Vision Exam
- Breast Cancer Screening
- Skin Cancer Screening
- Colorectal Cancer Screening
- Cervical Cancer Screening
- Wellness Education Video (not active - you will be notified once live)
- Health Assessment for a Covered Spouse
For more information and instructions about the 2015 Wellness Pledge Program, visit HealthPort-HR-Benefits.
47 comments:
5/15/14
I have my "wellness visit" in December each year. If I try to schedule it earlier our insurance does not pay for it. I had the same problem scheduling my mammo last year, not even a day earlier.
WHAT TO DO? HELP?
5/15/14
What if you do not take the Davis Eye coverage and you go to Lens Crafters? Does that count?
Thank you for your interest - and taking action - on the 2015 Wellness Pledges. The Pledge Program was designed to give credit to those who utilize the carriers that North Shore-LIJ work with, therefore your Lens Crafter's visit will not satisfy your pledge.
In response to the comment on 5/15/14 regarding the frequency of visits allowed for a wellness visit and a mammogram. UnitedHealthcare's plan covers by the calendar year, it is the healthcare provider who typically limits your visits to the 12 month period.
Thank you for your interest.
5/21/14
I am missing the point here. If I cannot have my wellness visit until Dec. 2014 and I cannot have my mammon until Nov. 2014, how can I comply and this data entered by 9/30/14?
Hi again,
You are still able to comply with the pledge program by electing to (1)submit the online Health Assessment, (2) visit a Cigna dentist for a cleaning, (3) Schedule an appointment with an in-system or in-network dermatologist for a full body skin check, and (4) Watch a video - that you will be available on myuhc.com in the near future.
If my OBGYN is listed as my PCP, would a wellness visit at this physician count as the "Physician Wellness Visit"?
Great question about what exactly satisfies the Physician Wellness Pledge. Visit HealthPort - HR - Benefits - 2015 Wellness Pledges. There you will find a document called 2015 Wellness Pledge Clinical Appointments. This document will clarify exactly what a Physician Wellness Visit is, along with the other 6 clinical pledges.
If your OB/GYN performed all the tests listed there - then yes - you will get the credit.
Thanks for your interest!
I just want to be sure, this is only for those employees who have UHC coverage and not those covered by 1199 insurance?
I only participate in our dental plan since I receive my health insurance through my husband. Am I eligible for these credits?
Thank you for your question regarding eligibility for the 2015 Wellness Pledge Credits.
Yes, you have to enroll in North Shore-LIJ's 2015 Value or Buy-Up medical plan to receive the paycheck credits in 2015. If you change your mind and decide to enroll in the NS-LIJ medical plan during November's Open Enrollment - you will have 6 months to complete your pledges, once your plan is active in January 2015. If you comply within 6 months you will receive the full $260 paycheck credits for each pledge in 2015. If you do not comply your paycheck credits will cease in six months.
In response to comment on May 26: I just want to be sure, this is only for those employees who have UHC coverage and not those covered by 1199 insurance.
Yes, although the health system encourages all employees to follow up on their health and preventive care routine, the Wellness Pledge Program (in exchange for 2015 paycheck credits) is for non-union, benefits-eligible employees.
Thank you for your interest.
5/30/14
If you have been proactive about your health care, but certain pledges were completed after September in other years, can you continue to use them when they are completed i.e. wellness visit, non-smoking, mammograms etc.?
It is certainly a plus that you are being proactive regarding your health, and should continue to do so on a regular basis. Keep in mind, UnitedHealthcare allows you one wellness visit (annual physical)per calendar year, so try making your appointment for August, the one month might not be an issue with your doctor's office. Most physician will not schedule your mammogram until a year has passed (that is unless you are at risk) but United, once again covers the cost per calendar year. There are other options listed - check them out and see what works for you.
Important note: The tobacco-free pledge is not a Wellness Pledge in 2015.
If I had my wellness visit in January 2014 and other screenings, will this statisfy for the credits. Is there a way to check the status or confirm before the deadline. Thank you.
Dear MP,
Yes, your January 2014 exams and screenings comply with the new 2015 Wellness Pledge Program (which states you must comply between January 1 and September 30, 2014). Keep in mind, you need to use North Shore-LIJ carriers, UnitedHealthcare, Cigna Dental and Davis Vision in order for you to receive the paycheck credits in 2015. The information from these carries will feed directly into your personal Wellness Summary - which will be housed on ESS, along with your other personal data. When you go to enroll in your 2015 medical plan during Open Enrollment on November 10 - you will see this information, although the goal is for you to see this information much sooner. More to come on the status of the new Wellness Summary portal.
In closing, congratulations, you are on your way to a healthy summer and paycheck credits in 2015. Don't forget to do your online Health Assessment - it is a required action in this program!
Does my opthalmologist visit count as an eye exam. I do not use Davis Vision but I do use United Healthcare to have my eyes checked by a medical doctor not an optometrist.
Yes- A visit to your opthamologist with UnitedHealthcare complies!
The health assessment asks results for labwork. Mine isn't due until end of year. But, you say I have to fill out assessment. Can last years lab work be input again? Also if my PMD isn't a NSLIJ IPA but, accepts United Healthcare for my wellness physical will that comply?
In response to your comment, June 9 at 5:09 pm: Yes, you can use your biometrics from last year's health assessment. Since less than a year has passed those numbers are still acceptable.
Yes, you will get credit using an in-network UnitedHealthcare primary care physician during this year's wellness visit. Thank you for your interest.
when will the wellness video be available?
The Wellness Video will be available for viewing and compliance the week of June 16. Those employees who are eligible for the $260 paycheck credit in exchange for viewing the Wellness Video will receive an email once the link is live on iLearn. The email will have very clear instructions on how to comply. The video is a brief overview on the importance of preventive care, provided by UnitedHealthcare. Stay tuned for more.
the information packet states on page 14 that the video is through myuhc.com.....is that not the case???
In response to the above comment on June 10 @ 10:29. You are correct the document states that the video is housed on myuhc.com. That status has been updated. The video was produced by UHC but will be housed on iLearn, North Shore-LIJ's learning management system. All eligible employees will receive an email with a link and very clear instructions on how to comply. Because you have until September 30 to view the video we hope this process will be both educational and easy!
6/10/14
Is it normal that every time I try to log on to myuhc that I need to call their tech people to give me an access code or I am the only one? Am I doing something wrong? I did not have this much difficult before UHC!
I see a retina specialist every 6 months because in the past I had a minor tear. While he is not an NSLIJ provider, I do have the UHC Value Plan. Does this exam qualify for the eye exam pledge?
Thank you for your comment. As long as your claim is processed through UnitedHealthcare your eye exam with your retina specialist every 6 months will comply with the pledge.
At this time, I cannot select my pledges for 2015 since I am unable to update my Health Assessment until the end of July. Will the pledge choices appear at that time? And is it correct that any of the exams I have had since January 2014 will have already satisfied those pledges for 2015?
In response to June 14 at 6:40 AM: You can choose to act on any of the 9 pledges in exchange for the paycheck credits through September 30.
If you have already complied, by visiting with your physician or receiving a preventive care screening in 2014, you are ahead of the game. Those 2014 visits during January count as compliant.
Once you are able to complete your Health Assessment in July you will be good to go.
How does your spouse complete a HA. Do they need to create their own account on UHC.com?
If you have chosen pledge #9: Health Assessment for Covered Spouse Pledge, your spouse must be currently enrolled in the Value or Buy-Up medical plan offered through United Healthcare.
He or she would then follow the directions to complete the Health Assessment (search Blog Post "Health Assessment"). Read post from January 9, 2014 and follow instructions 1 through 7.
Thank you for your response regarding the HA. I know where to find it but if I use my log in and password it is showing as complete. Does my husband who is currently covered under the benefits need to create his own account in order to complete his own assessment?
Yes, your husband will need to register and login with his own information in order to complete the Health Assessment. He cannot use your account as a sign in.
Is there any down side to choosing more than 4 pledges (the 1 mandatory one plus 3 others)?
There is nothing wrong with taking more than four pledges to be healthy, but take note the paycheck credits in 2015 max out at $1,040. Each pledge is worth $260 and you will receive the credits for your four pledges beginning in January 2015. The program was designed to give employees choices and time to take action. Thanks for your interest.
I believe that I am compliant with my HA and three other choices......where will it show that I am compliant? I have checked ESS and there is no record. please advise.
In response to June 30 at 9:38 AM post: Now that you have complied with the Health Assessment and your three other Wellness Pledges in exchange for the 2015 paycheck credits you can sit back and relax. The HR department is working on its new feature, the Wellness Summary, which will appear on Employee Self Service later this summer. This will show which pledges you have complied with. Thank you for your interest in the program.
Is there anything that we have to do besides taking the health assessment on myuhc.com? I completed my online health assessment in May and now I do not see any place to choose the other wellness pledges. I'm confused about what I actually have to do to get reimbursement for each of the pledges.
In response to July 19 at 12:18 pm: Kudos to you for completing the online health assessment, your gateway to the other wellness pledges. Review Step 2 in the Blog post, that gives you nine wellness pledges/actions to choose from. Once you act on those pledges the carrier will record your action. For example if you choose to schedule an annual physical with your primary care doctor, United Healthcare will share that claim with the benefits team and your Wellness Summary will reflect that. Same goes for the Dental Exam Pledge - that pledge will be recorded by Cigna. The program was designed so employees can be more in tune with their preventive healthcare routine.
How will the $260 credits be distributed on our paychecks? Will we see $260 on the first paycheck of 2015, another $260 on the second paycheck of 2015, etc., or is it shown quarterly?
In response to the comment left on July 28 at 2:12 pm: If you have complied with all four pledges (the online Health Assessment is mandatory to receive credit for other three pledges) then you will see paycheck credits each paycheck beginning in January 2015. Your paycheck will not indicate which pledges you did just how many you completed. For example: if you have completed all four pledges prior to September 30, 2014 your paycheck will state:
HA (Health Assessment) + 3 = $40
for those paid biweekly and
HA + 3 = $43.30
for those paid semi-monthly.
I have completed my Health Assesment at myuhc.com
Where do I take the other three pledges I am supposed to take.
Physician Wellness Visit
Dental Exam
Vision Exam
Breast Cancer Screening
Skin Cancer Screening
Wellness Education Video (not active - you will be notified once live)
I can't find a link. Can I do these pledges from my home computer?
In response to post above, Aug 23 at 2:09: There is no "place" for you to take the other three pledges. You would need to make an appointment to visit your primary care physician and have a physical for the Physician Wellness visit, visit your dentist for the Dental Exam, your eye doctor or Davis Vision location for a Vision Exam, etc. Once you have completed those actions the healthcare insurance carriers United Healthcare, Cigna Dental and Davis Vision sends your claim to your Wellness Summary, which is housed in your personal information folder on Employee Self Service. For more details go back to the Blog posts. The deadline for your Wellness Pledge Actions in September 30.
Is the Health Assessment for Covered Spouse mandatory if I completed the:
1. Online Health Assessment Pledge through myuhc.com
2. Physician Wellness Visit
3. Dental Exam
4. Vision Exam
If No,:
That is even if she is going to be covered by me for 2015
In response to September 10 at 3:27 pm: Congratulations, you have successfully completed all your pledges and will see an annual savings of $1,040 in your 2015 paycheck. To clarify: The Health Assessment for your covered spouse was mandatory last year, but this year it was a choice. Even if your spouse is enrolling in our plan it is not required that she complete the health assessment. Thank you for your interest and best of health!
What is LIJ HR email address? I want to email the letter that I did Dental Exam 2015 so they can manually upload my profile
In response to November 18 at 9:05pm: the HR Service Center can be reached at hrservicecenter@nshs.edu or 516-734-7000.
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