Health Connections expands in 2007 to include every spouse or same-sex domestic partner who is also covered by the UPlan Medical Program. They'll be able to earn financial rewards for health improvement, too.
Health Connections expands in 2007
By Susan Wiese
Brief, Feb. 7, 2007
This time last winter, U employee Ellen Reed (not her real name) decided to participate in Health Connections because she wanted her clothes to fit better. The 45-year-old mom with a mostly sedentary job also wanted to stop feeling winded after climbing stairs. Reed agreed to share how she improved her health habits and changed her lifestyle.
Connect to better health through
Health Connections
UPlan Wellness Assessment
StayWell Health Management,
800-926-5455
Health coaching by phone
Harris HealthTrends Resource Center,
877-247-9204
What started Reed down the path to better health was the feedback she got after completing the online UPlan Wellness Assessment. Her results triggered a phone call from a nutritionist at Harris HealthTrends, Inc., the independent, third-party administrator of Health Connections. Working with the health coach over the phone throughout the year led to dramatic changes in Reed's eating habits and a marked increase in her daily physical activity. For what she achieved, and as a UPlan Medical Program member, Reed earned two $65 wellness rewards.
My pedometer, my
healer
The HealthPartners 10,000 Steps program was announced just before I
went on a medical leave for major surgery. My doctor said walking
would be one important thing I could do to speed my recovery, so I
signed up for the program and got a pedometer. Two weeks after the
surgery, I put it on. My three-day average was really low--fewer
than 3,000 steps. So I set an eight-week goal of 8,000 steps.
Wearing my pedometer and keeping track of my steps every day made
sure that I really was gradually getting more exercise each day. It
also helped me identify how much was too much on some days. The
daily tracker turned into an amazing journal of my recovery, and I
easily made my goal--plus I felt great!
Jumping to 10,000 steps a day turned out to be harder. By that
time, I was back at work. I found out how hard it is to get 10,000
steps in an average day at my desk job. But I also found out that,
for me, I walk about 1,000 steps per 10 minutes, so I'm better at
calculating how to get my 10,000 steps. And my medical leave helped
me establish a habit that I'm motivated to maintain. I find myself
craving walks, even when it's cold outside.
I've discovered walking as transportation. I live about three miles
from the U, and there's no better way to meet my goal than walking
home from work. Now I'm saving bus money, too! Thank you!
U employee, Twin Cities
In 2007, every active University employee who is a UPlan member and every spouse or same-sex domestic partner (who is also covered by the UPlan Medical Program) will each be able to earn financial rewards for health improvement. That can add up to four $65 wellness rewards, or $260 per couple.
Murray L. Harber became the UPlan Wellness program manager in
October. He formerly served as supervisor and manager of the
wellness program for Hennepin County employees. Photo by Don
Breneman.
"Of more than 8,000 employees who completed the online wellness assessment in its first year of operation, more than 5,000 went on to enroll in one kind of health improvement program or another," says Murray Harber, who was named program manager for UPlan Wellness in October.
"By expanding Health Connections in 2007 to include the spouses or partners of our employees, we hope to generate even more interest in being and staying healthy," he says.
Research shows that family members can be instrumental in bringing about change in health habits.
"Encouragement and support from a spouse or partner increases the likelihood not only that positive change will occur, but that healthier behaviors will be sustained over time," says Harber.
Log-in, learn, and earn
Every UPlan member and his or her spouse or same-sex partner--if also a UPlan member--can receive $65 after connecting to and completing the confidential UPlan Wellness Assessment by April 30, 2007. To get started, go to www.healthconnections.umn.edu.
After taking the wellness assessment, a Health Connections participant is eligible to receive a second $65 wellness reward when he or she
- takes advantage of Web-based Healthy Living programs to get fit, lose weight, or manage stress
- connects to a health coach by telephone to make lifestyle changes or manage a medical condition
- enrolls in a health action program available later this year--similar to the 10,000 Steps program in 2006 (see box, above right).
Dependents of UPlan members who are 16 years or older can participate, as well, but they don't qualify to receive financial rewards.
Update on 10,000 Steps
More than 4,500 University employees are currently enrolled in the 10,000 Steps program from HealthPartners.
If you're one of them, you may have questions about how to continue or get re-started. Find answers at Health Connections.
Susan Wiese is the UPlan Wellness communications project manager.