2015 HealthFlex Wellness Incentives

Transcription

1 2015 HealthFlex Wellness Incentives Contents 2015 Incentives at-a-glance General Incentives Questions Virgin Pulse Quarterly Activity Targets HealthFlex Wellness Points on WebMD Wellness Points for health measures Blueprint for Wellness HealthQuotient (HQ) 2015 Incentives at-a-glance HealthFlex participants and spouses have more opportunities to earn wellness incentive rewards in This year s wellness incentives are similar to the 2014 program plus we ve added more Wellness Points for health measures. Virgin Pulse Goals January 1 to December 31 (quarterly activity targets) Earn up to $150 in HealthCash* for reaching quarterly activity targets that are customized to your personal activity history. HealthFlex Wellness Points on WebMD January 1 to December 31 Earn $150 HealthCash* for accumulating at least 150 Wellness Points during the year. More opportunities to earn Wellness Points through healthy or improved health measures: up to 120 points. Blueprint for Wellness Biometric Screening April 1 to July 31 Earn $100 HealthCash* HealthQuotient (HQ) Online Health Risk Assessment August 1 to September 30 Avoid paying an extra $250 (individual) or extra $500 (family) on your 2016 medical plan deductible. * You must be enrolled in the Virgin Pulse program to earn HealthCash. 4741/ Page 1 of 14

2 Action Earnings/Savings Timing Virgin Pulse quarterly activity targets HealthFlex Wellness Points on WebMD $25 per quarter ($100 total for four quarters per eligible adult) $50 bonus for reaching all quarterly activity targets per eligible adult $150 for 150 Wellness Points Per eligible adult January 1 December 31 (quarterly goals issued every three months) January 1 December 31 Blueprint for Wellness Earn $100 HealthCash per eligible adult April 1 July 31 HealthQuotient (HQ) Save $250 (individual) or $500 (family) on 2016 medical plan deductible August 1 September 30 Participants and spouses in eligible HealthFlex plans can both earn wellness incentives doubling your family s rewards potential! General Incentives Questions Q: What is HealthCash? A: HealthCash is the rewards currency used by the Virgin Pulse program. Q: What is the maximum HealthCash that can be earned in 2015? A: Participants and covered spouses in HealthFlex active plans can each earn up to $400 HealthCash in There are three steps to achieve your maximum HealthCash: 1. Earn $100 HealthCash for completing the Blueprint for Wellness screening. 2. Earn up to $150 HealthCash for meeting four personalized Virgin Pulse activity targets in Earn $150 HealthCash for accumulating 150 HealthFlex Wellness Points (tracked on the HealthFlex/WebMD website). Participants and spouses who complete WebMD s HQ online health risk assessment during the incentive period (August 1 September 30, 2015) will avoid a higher medical plan deductible in 2016 $250 higher for single coverage or $500 higher for family coverage. Q: Do I have to be enrolled in the Virgin Pulse program to earn the HealthCash? A: Yes. To earn HealthCash, you must be enrolled in the Virgin Pulse program at the time the HealthCash is awarded. HealthCash is administered through the Virgin Pulse website, so if you re not enrolled, you have no way to receive HealthCash. HealthCash will not be rewarded retroactively if you enroll late in the year. If you re not yet in the Virgin Pulse program, enroll now to take full advantage of the 2015 incentive opportunities. If you re already in Virgin Pulse, you do not need to re-enroll. Q: How do I enroll in the Virgin Pulse program? A: Go to Click on HealthFlex/WebMD and enter your WebMD username and password. Select Join Virgin Pulse. Call Virgin Pulse if you need assistance: Or call WebMD if you need help logging in: Page 2 of 14

3 Q: What does it cost to be in the Virgin Pulse program? A: Participants and spouses in HealthFlex plans pay no out-of-pocket cost to enroll, and don t pay for the activity tracker. (However, there are costs if you need to replace your activity tracker or if you choose to purchase a different device.) Q: How do I redeem HealthCash? A: HealthCash can be redeemed in one of two ways buy gift cards to major national retailers or have the cash deposited directly into your bank account. Contact the Virgin Pulse customer service team at if you have questions about redeeming HealthCash. Q: How is my privacy protected? A: HealthFlex requires its vendor partners to adhere to the strictest privacy standards. These vendors protect personal health information in accordance with federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) regulations. Additionally, vendors do not share individual information with your conference, employer, HealthFlex, the General Board of Pension and Health Benefits (General Board) or your insurance provider. Your annual conference, employer, HealthFlex or the General Board cannot see any information in your personal HQ, Blueprint for Wellness, Virgin Pulse account or WebMD web pages. Page 3 of 14

4 Virgin Pulse Quarterly Activity Targets/$150 Health Cash Incentive Quarterly Activity Targets (January 1 December 31) (See your personal Virgin Pulse program web page for each calendar quarter s exact deadline) Q: How do I earn HealthMiles? A: You can earn HealthMiles in 2015 for measuring your physical activity through the Virgin Pulse program. The program includes an uploadable activity tracker to wear every day to count your steps. Plug the step tracker into a computer with the Virgin Pulse software and Internet access, and your step count is automatically uploaded to your personal account. The Max activity tracker from Virgin Pulse can also upload steps wirelessly using the free Virgin Pulse app on some smartphones. Earn 20, 60, 80 or 100 activity HealthMiles per day based on how many steps you take that day, plus bonus HealthMiles for participating in special promotions. (You also can earn HealthMiles for activity measured through a Polar heart rate monitor.) If you re already enrolled in the Virgin Pulse program, log into your account through the HealthFlex/WebMD website or at for more information. If you re not yet enrolled in the Virgin Pulse s program, go to click on HealthFlex/WebMD and enter your WebMD user name and password. Then select Join Virgin Pulse. Q: Can I earn HealthCash for getting or staying active through the Virgin Pulse program in 2015? A: Yes! You can earn up to $150 in 2015 for meeting quarterly activity targets. Primary participants and spouses in a HealthFlex plan can each earn up to $150 HealthCash in (Virgin Pulse incentives do not apply to Medicare supplement plans through Towers Watson s OneExchange, unless your plan sponsor offers the program separately to its Medicare participants.) Q: How do I earn $150 for walking and accumulating HealthMiles? A: Each quarter, Virgin Pulse will give you a new quarterly activity target to reach. Meet the target by the deadline, and you will earn $25 HealthCash (up to $100 total in 12 months). If you reach all four quarterly activity targets in 2015, you will earn a $50 HealthCash bonus in early That s $150 HealthCash for meeting all four targets. Q: Will my quarterly activity targets be reasonable, based on my current level of activity? A: Yes. Your quarterly activity targets are personalized to you and your activity history, not based on a hypothetical active person. If you reach 7,000 steps on a typical day, you won t be expected to jump to 12,000 steps per day to reach your quarterly target. Your personalized targets are designed to be achievable while also encouraging you to push yourself a little as you stride toward better health. If you get a higher target it s probably because you exceeded your last one. Keep up the great work! Q: How will I know what my quarterly activity targets are? A: Every three months, Virgin Pulse will create new targets for you. You ll receive a confidential reminder from Virgin Pulse at the beginning of each quarter, as well as reminders about the deadline. You also can see your goal information when you log into the Virgin Pulse website. Q: Do I have to use the Virgin Pulse activity tracker or can I use another activity tracking device? A: The Virgin Pulse program is now compatible with several other tracking devices. More information can be found under Activity > Fitness Tracking Devices after logging into your account. Page 4 of 14

5 HealthFlex Wellness Points/$150 HealthCash Incentive January 1 December 31 Q: What are HealthFlex Wellness Points? A: HealthFlex Wellness Points credit you for the many things you do to stay or get healthy. Wellness Points are a health-focused way to accumulate wellness rewards ( incentives ) through HealthFlex. You can earn $150 HealthCash by accumulating 150 Wellness Points in Track your HealthFlex Wellness Points or view ways to earn points on the HealthFlex Wellness Points page of the HealthFlex/WebMD website ( click on HealthFlex/WebMD and log in). Q: How do I earn HealthFlex Wellness Points? A: You can earn HealthFlex Wellness Points for a variety of healthy activities, from improving specific health measures (or maintaining already-healthy ones), to working with a WebMD health coach, to sharing a wellness success story online, to meeting your goals with the digital health assistants on the WebMD website, to using the Employee Assistance Program (EAP). See the complete list of ways to earn Wellness Points here. Q: What s new for 2015? A: The 2015 incentive program adds more Wellness Points for your health measures from the Blueprint for Wellness screening. You can earn up to 120 Wellness Points by demonstrating healthy or improved levels for specific health measures. Q: What stays the same for 2015? A: Many of the points you can earn for participating in various wellness activities (e.g., online health assistant, talking with a health coach, submitting success stories, etc.) will be retained in Participants will still earn $150 HealthCash for 150 Wellness Points in 2015, but will receive more points (120 versus 90) for healthy or improved results on their Blueprint for Wellness screening. Q: Why is HealthFlex giving Wellness Points for healthy or improved health measures? A: Incentives for HealthFlex wellness programs have been activities-based for several years, but we added more points for healthy or improved health measures, since we know that is why you ultimately participate in healthy activities. This expanded opportunity rewards you for healthy results that translate into healthier clergy and lay employees throughout The United Methodist Church. Page 5 of 14

6 Q: What health measures and/or lab values will earn Wellness Points? A: Participants and spouses earn 20 Wellness Points for demonstrating a healthy or improved level for each of these health measures* for a total of 120 potential Wellness Points: Healthy Reward Ranges Wellness Points Measure Healthy Range ** for Healthy Range Systolic: Less than 120 mm Hg Blood pressure* Diastolic: Less than 80 mm Hg Outside Healthy Range? Wellness Points for Improvement Fasting glucose* mg/dl Triglycerides* Less than 200 mg/dl HDL* Greater than 60 mg/dl Waist circumference* Men: 40 inches or less Women: 35 inches or less BMI kg/m Total Possible Points * These measures (with the exception of BMI) are widely used by the American Heart Association and other medical authorities to diagnose metabolic syndrome a condition with significantly higher health risks. BMI is included to recognize different body types for which waist circumference might not be the best measure. ** Healthy ranges are based on recommendations from the American Heart Association. Healthy ranges must be demonstrated on the 2015 Quest Diagnostics Blueprint for Wellness (BFW). Improvement is demonstrated by a change in the healthy direction between the 2014 and 2015 BFW. Only BFW results will be accepted to earn Wellness Points for health measures. BFW can be done at an onsite event, a local Quest laboratory or by submitting the Physician Report Form directly from your doctor. Q: How are my measurements and lab values determined? A: Health measures are determined through the Quest Diagnostics Blueprint for Wellness (BFW) screening, done at an onsite event or a local Quest laboratory. BFW can also be completed by having your physician complete and send in the Physician Report Form. Self-reported values or tests completed by your physician but not submitted through the form will not be accepted for Wellness Points. (You may still self-enter your values into HQ in August or September if you do not take BFW, but you will not be eligible for Wellness Points for the health measures.) Q: What if my Blueprint for Wellness results do not fall within the healthy ranges in 2015? A: You will also receive Wellness Points if your 2015 Blueprint for Wellness results for any of these measures are improved over your Blueprint for Wellness results from Q: What if I didn t complete Blueprint for Wellness in 2014? A: If you missed Blueprint for Wellness in 2014, be sure to complete it in 2015 between April 1 and July 31! If you complete Blueprint for Wellness in 2015, you will be rewarded for qualifying health measures that fall within the healthy range. For results that are not within the healthy range, your 2015 Blueprint for Wellness results will then serve as your baseline starting point for improvement in Q: Why were these measurements and lab values chosen? A: These factors (with the exception of BMI) are used by the American Heart Association and other recognized medical authorities to diagnose metabolic syndrome, a serious health condition. People with metabolic syndrome have a higher risk of developing diabetes and cardiovascular diseases, which can result in heart attack, stroke and other serious health issues. Body mass index is included in addition to waist circumference to provide more than one measure for healthy body size to respect different body types. Page 6 of 14

7 Q: What is metabolic syndrome? A: The most widely used criteria* to identify this syndrome are by the presence of three or more of these risk factors, or taking medication for any of these factors: Triglycerides HDL Cholesterol Low HDL good cholesterol levels Blood Pressure Glucose 150 mg/dl or more Men: Less than 40 mg/dl 130/85 mm Hg or higher 100 mg/dl or more Women: Less than 50 mg/dl Waist circumference More than 40 inches for men More than 35 inches for women * These criteria are from the American Heart Association Q: Where can I learn more about metabolic syndrome? A: Check out the HealthFlex/WebMD website (search under Health Topics ) or the American Heart Association website ( or talk with your personal physician. Q: What if I believe my measurements or lab values are incorrect? A: Contact Quest Blueprint for Wellness to appeal your results. Typically, you would follow up with your physician to submit corrected results through a separate form. Q: If my measurements or lab values do not qualify for Wellness Points, can I earn them in another way? A: Yes, you can earn Wellness Points in a variety of other ways. See the complete list of ways to earn Wellness Points here. Q: What if my doctor says that I am unable to achieve healthy or improved measures? Is there a reasonable alternative? A: Reasonable alternatives or waivers will be made available for those who cannot achieve healthy or improved measures due to an underlying medical condition. If you need a reasonable alternative, you may make your request by: incentiverequest@gbophb.org U.S. mail: General Board of Pension and Health Benefits Attention: Incentive Request 1901 Chestnut Avenue Glenview, Illinois We will work with you (and, if you wish, with your doctor) to find a reasonable alternative in order for you to be able to achieve the same reward. Q: How do I earn $150 for accumulating HealthFlex Wellness Points? A: When you earn 150 HealthFlex Wellness Points, HealthFlex will automatically redeem 150 points and deposit $150 HealthCash in your Virgin Pulse account. You must be enrolled in the Virgin Pulse program at the time you earn your 150 points or you will not receive the HealthCash incentive. Wellness Points must be earned by December 31, Please allow up to 30 days for HealthCash to be credited to your Virgin Pulse account. Page 7 of 15

8 Q: Why aren t Wellness Points offered this year for achieving Virgin Pulse quarterly targets? A: Participants can already earn $25 for achieving Virgin Pulse quarterly targets. Plus, even more Wellness Points are available in 2015 for healthy or improved health measures 120 points in 2015 versus 90 points in Walking in the Virgin Pulse program is a great way to achieve healthy or improved health measures! Q: If I have more questions regarding HealthFlex Wellness Points, who can I contact? A: Contact WebMD s Customer Service team at with questions about accessing the HealthFlex Wellness Points online, how specific points are credited to your account, or for help logging in to the HealthFlex/WebMD website. Q: How do I sign up to participate? A: If you are a participant or spouse covered by a HealthFlex plan, you are automatically enrolled in the HealthFlex Wellness Points program. Log into the HealthFlex/WebMD website and click on HealthFlex Wellness Points to begin earning and tracking your points. Q: Do I need to participate in the Virgin Pulse program to earn HealthCash for HealthFlex Wellness Points? A: Yes. Wellness Points rewards are paid in the form of HealthCash. HealthCash is the rewards currency used by the Virgin Pulse program. This means that you can accumulate Wellness Points without being in the Virgin Pulse program, but you will have no way to turn your Wellness Points into HealthCash and, ultimately, a gift card or direct deposit into your checking or savings account, if you ve not enrolled in the Virgin Pulse program. HealthCash will not be awarded retroactively if you enroll late in the year. Q: If my spouse or I are enrolled in a Medicare supplement plan through OneExchange, are we eligible to earn HealthFlex Wellness Points? A: No, Wellness Points are for participants and spouses in HealthFlex active plans only [a HealthFlex PPO or consumer-driven health plan (CDHP)]. If one individual is in HealthFlex and one is in a Medicare supplement plan, only the individual covered by HealthFlex is eligible for the $150 HealthCash for Wellness Points. Page 8 of 14

9 Blueprint for Wellness Screening/$100 HealthCash Incentive April 1 July 31 Q: What is the Blueprint for Wellness screening? A: The Blueprint for Wellness biometric screening by Quest Diagnostics involves a blood draw followed by lab analysis. The screening includes tests for common health risks, including: Cholesterol and lipid screening Blood sugar and diabetes screening Screening tests for liver, kidney, thyroid, and other organs and body systems Measurement of blood pressure, height, weight and waist circumference (if taken at a plan sponsor event or at most local Quest laboratories) A complete list of tests included in the Blueprint for Wellness screening can be found here. The screening provides a snapshot of your current health measurements to share with your doctor and to help shape your personal health and wellness goals. Your Blueprint for Wellness results for specified health measures can qualify for Wellness Points if they are in the healthy range or are improved over your 2014 Blueprint for Wellness health measures. Q: Why should I take the Blueprint for Wellness screening? A: The Blueprint for Wellness screening is a comprehensive screening provided by HealthFlex at no outof-pocket cost to you. Blueprint for Wellness gives you and your doctor important information about your current health status and gives you a year-by-year measurement to evaluate any improvements you may be making. It is far more thorough than what most doctors complete during wellness exams and costs The United Methodist Church much less due to efficiencies and economies of scale. Blueprint for Wellness screenings are conducted by Quest Diagnostics, an industry leader in performing laboratory tests. You can also earn Wellness Points for healthy or improved health measures as detailed in the Wellness Points section of this FAQ. Q: How can I complete the Blueprint for Wellness screening? A: There are two main ways to complete the Blueprint for Wellness screening. Most HealthFlex plan sponsors offer the screening at annual conference or an employee health event. Talk to your plan sponsor about whether Blueprint for Wellness screenings are being hosted for your group. Pre-registration for a screening at these events is highly recommended. If you are not able to attend an on-site screening, there are thousands of Quest Diagnostics labs across the country where you can complete your screening. Screening at a lab with biometrics (including height, weight, blood pressure and waist circumference) is preferred but not required. If you choose a lab without biometrics, you will be asked to self-report your height, weight, blood pressure and waist circumference. Pre-registration is required before going to a Quest Diagnostics lab. If you are unable to complete the screening on-site or at a local lab, please read below for the physician form option. Page 9 of 14

10 Q: How do I preregister for my screening? A: To pre-register, call (855-6BE-WELL) or go online to click on HealthFlex/WebMD and enter your WebMD username and password. Then select Quest Diagnostics Blueprint for Wellness, and follow the prompts. Pre-registering will assure that you are not billed for your screening tests. You should not have to present your medical ID card when you arrive for the screening but you may be asked for a picture ID. As a walk-in to an on-site event, you will need your medical ID card for your General Board participant number. At on-site events, there is limited space for walk-ins, so you might not get a screening if you don t pre-register. Pre-registration is required at local Quest labs. Note: You are not able to pre-register for an on-site event or a Quest lab until the Blueprint for Wellness incentive period begins on April 1. Q: What if my annual conference/employer does not offer Blueprint for Wellness on-site or I m unable to do the on-site event and there is no Quest laboratory anywhere near my home or work? A: A small portion of HealthFlex participants may not have a Quest lab within a reasonable driving distance. If this is the case, we encourage you to take advantage of an on-site event, if possible. If you are unable to attend an on-site event, you may complete a Physician Report Form to receive the $100 HealthCash incentive and earn any Wellness Points for healthy or improved health measures. Contact your plan sponsor or the General Board s Health Team ( ) for a Physician Report Form or download the form here. If you use the Physician Form, you should receive results by mail from Quest within three weeks from the date the Physician Form was faxed to Quest. Please follow up with Quest at (855-6BE-WELL), if you do not receive results in this timeframe. Q: Do I have to pay for a Blueprint for Wellness screening? A: No, you will pay nothing for the screening if you take it at either an on-site event or at a Quest Diagnostics facility through the Blueprint for Wellness process detailed earlier. However, if you get these tests done through your own doctor and submit the Physician Report Form we encourage you to get them done at the same time as your annual wellness exam to avoid paying out-of-pocket costs. Please note that any additional lab tests you may have taken at a Quest facility that are not part of the Blueprint for Wellness tests are subject to regular plan benefits (co-payments or co-insurance). Q: Is the Blueprint for Wellness screening available for participants and spouses in a Medicare supplement or Medicare Advantage plan through OneExchange? A: It depends. Individuals who enrolled in a Medicare supplement or Medicare Advantage plan through OneExchange may be eligible for Blueprint for Wellness if their plan sponsor offers this program to their group. Please check with your plan sponsor/benefits office. Eligible individuals in these plans must pre-register by phone only. Q: Why do I have to take the screening between April 1 and July 31 in order to receive my $100 HealthCash? A: The information from your Blueprint for Wellness screening will be automatically imported into your WebMD HealthQuotient (HQ). Therefore, all Blueprint for Wellness screenings must be completed by July 31, before the HQ window opens on August 1, Data import means you won t have to find your lab results in order to enter them into the HQ during August or September. It also means your HQ results will be based on precise medical data and, therefore, more useful to you. Page 10 of 15

11 Q: I usually see my doctor around the same time every year, which is different than HealthFlex s April July timing for Blueprint for Wellness. How can this timing work for me? A: We recommend telling your doctor that your employer offers a comprehensive wellness screening including complete lipid and cholesterol testing, glucose and hemoglobin A1C testing, and multiple organ function tests (including liver, kidney and thyroid) at no out-of-pocket cost to you. If you usually see your doctor earlier in the year, share last year s results or ask whether waiting later in the spring or summer for your results might be a good match for your health needs. If you usually see your doctor later in the year, bring your Blueprint for Wellness screening results to your appointment. Many participants have commented that their doctors are very impressed with the completeness of the Blueprint for Wellness screening and report. Q: I can get a blood screening at my doctor s office why should I do the Blueprint for Wellness screening? A: The Blueprint for Wellness screening may be different (or even more comprehensive) than what your doctor offers. As an engaged consumer of health care, talk to your doctor about how this screening may work with your annual checkup to meet your health and financial needs. Additionally, the Blueprint for Wellness screenings are typically more cost-effective for the HealthFlex plan than the same tests given in a doctor s office which is good stewardship for your conference or employer and The United Methodist Church. Q: Is my information kept confidential if I get my lab results through Quest Diagnostics? A: Yes, your personal health information is kept confidential. Your church, annual conference, employer, plan sponsor, HealthFlex or the General Board cannot access your personal lab results. Quest Diagnostics is bound by federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) requirements to protect your privacy. Your lab results will be transmitted electronically to WebMD to populate your HQ, for your convenience. However, this process is automatic and no one (including WebMD, General Board staff or your insurance carrier) can view your individual data. The only exception is your WebMD health coach (if applicable). Q: How do I enroll in the Virgin Pulse activity program so I can earn my $100 HealthCash incentive for completing Blueprint for Wellness screening? A: Go to Click on HealthFlex/WebMD and enter your WebMD username and password. Select Join Virgin Pulse. Call Virgin Pulse if you need assistance: Q: How do I earn $100 for completing the Blueprint for Wellness screening? A: HealthFlex will deposit $100 HealthCash in your Virgin Pulse account when you complete the Blueprint for Wellness screening. The screening must be completed between April 1 and July 31, The $100 HealthCash incentive is only for participants and spouses in HealthFlex PPO and CDHP plans. Please allow up to 30 days for HealthCash to be credited to your Virgin Pulse account. Q: If I skip the 2015 Blueprint for Wellness, can I earn Wellness Points for health measures? A: No. Wellness Points are awarded for health measures based on Blueprint for Wellness data (or data provided directly from your physician using the Physician Report Form process detailed above). You cannot use self-reported data, even if it is received from your physician. However, there are still other ways to earn 150 Wellness Points if you miss Blueprint for Wellness. Page 11 of 14

12 HealthQuotient (HQ)/Deductible Incentive August 1 September 30 Q: What is the HQ, and why is it important? A: The HealthQuotient (HQ) is an online health risk assessment questionnaire. It helps to evaluate your risk for common health concerns, such as heart disease, diabetes, depression and high cholesterol. HQ is important because identifying risk levels puts you in a better position to take steps that may lower your risk and keep you healthier, which is good for you, those you serve and your fellow HealthFlex participants. Knowing your most important risk factors also can help you prioritize your health goals. Q: Why is HealthFlex continuing to add a higher medical plan deductible for participants and spouses who don t take the HQ? A: HealthFlex has a shared responsibility with plan sponsors, individuals and families to be good stewards of health and health care resources within The United Methodist Church. The HQ offers helpful information that participants and spouses can use to take greater personal responsibility for their own health. Individuals who complete the HQ year after year have a better chance to identify and address health risks early before risks grow into serious health concerns. These individuals also have easier access to important wellness resources offered by HealthFlex and WebMD such as health coaching and customized information on the WebMD portal which can be used to improve existing health risks. Four out of five eligible HealthFlex participants and spouses have taken the HQ every year since 2010 and avoided a higher deductible. Completing the HQ takes 20 minutes or less, but its benefits improved health, enhanced vitality and prudent stewardship of Church resources can be long-lasting. Q: How can I avoid a higher deductible in 2016? A: It s easy to avoid the higher deductible. Just complete the HQ during August or September If your spouse also is covered by HealthFlex, he or she also must complete the HQ during this timeframe to avoid the higher deductible. Taking the HQ in August or September is the only way to avoid the higher medical plan deductible in Q: How do I take the HQ? A: It s easy! 1. Go to to begin. 2. Click on HealthFlex/WebMD. 3. Enter your WebMD username and password at the prompt. 4. Click on Take HealthQuotient under your Action Plan. 5. Or click on Health Tools and then click on HealthQuotient under Assess My Health HQ can also be completed on a mobile device connected to the Internet. If you don t know your username or password, click forgot your username and password? on the login page. If this is your first time on the HealthFlex/WebMD website, click New Users on the login page. If you have difficulty logging in, contact WebMD at Page 12 of 14

13 Q: If I did the Blueprint for Wellness screening, does it matter if I do the HQ, too? A: Yes. It s a good idea to take both the Blueprint for Wellness screening and the HQ. These two assessments provide different information about your health that can complement each other. If you take the Blueprint for Wellness, your lab results will be automatically and securely uploaded to your HQ on WebMD so taking the Blueprint for Wellness makes doing the HQ easier and more accurate. You are not required to do both or either. However, taking the HQ will prevent you from having a higher deductible in Q: What if my spouse and I are both covered by HealthFlex, but only one of us takes the HQ? A: If both of you are in a HealthFlex plan and only one of you takes the HQ, your family will be subject to the higher medical plan deductible in 2016 ($500 extra for family coverage). If both you and your spouse are covered by HealthFlex you both must complete the HQ in August or September 2015 to avoid the higher deductible in Q: What if I am covered by HealthFlex but my spouse is not? A: If your spouse is not in HealthFlex, he or she is not eligible to take the HQ. As long as you complete the HQ in August or September 2015, you will avoid the higher medical plan deductible in Q: What if I am in HealthFlex and my spouse is in a Medicare supplement plan? A: Participants or spouses covered by Medicare supplement plans cannot take the HQ. However, because you are in HealthFlex, you must take the HQ in August or September 2015 to avoid a $250 higher individual deductible in Q: Do I need to be enrolled in the Virgin Pulse program to avoid the higher deductible? A: No, you don t need to be enrolled in the Virgin Pulse program to avoid the higher 2016 deductible. However, increasing your physical activity can improve risk factors that may be noted in your summary report. Q: Can I earn HealthCash for the Blueprint for Wellness screening, meeting quarterly activity goals, and/or earning HealthFlex Wellness Points if I do not complete the HQ in August or September of 2015? A: Yes, you can earn HealthCash even if you don t complete the HQ. However, taking the HQ in August or September is the only way to avoid a higher 2016 medical plan deductible $250 higher for an individual or $500 higher for a couple/family. Q: What benefits will I get from taking the HQ? A: Taking the HQ each year gives you an annual appraisal of your health. It also may direct you to appropriate wellness resources, such as confidential health coaching by telephone, online health information, online health improvement programs, and customized electronic messaging from HealthFlex/WebMD that is specific to risks or conditions that might affect you. These resources are available at no cost to you through HealthFlex. Q: What benefits does HealthFlex get when I take the HQ? A: When more HealthFlex participants and covered spouses take the HQ, HealthFlex is able to understand the unique health risks and needs of HealthFlex participants overall. Additionally, aggregate information collected through the HQ allows HealthFlex to evaluate existing programs and identify needs for new programs over time. This helps the General Board be a good steward of the health care resources of The United Methodist Church (UMC). Also, taking the HQ directs you to important preventive resources that have helped HealthFlex reduce risk factors associated with higher health care costs over time, such as health coaching. By addressing risk factors of many participants, we support the vitality of those who serve the Church and help protect the resources of the UMC. Approximately 80% of HealthFlex participants and spouses across the country took the HQ in each of the last five years did you? Page 13 of 14

14 Q: Is my information kept confidential if I enter it through the HQ? A: Absolutely your HQ personal health information is kept confidential. Your conference, employer, plan sponsor, HealthFlex, the General Board, etc. cannot access the personal data you enter into the HQ questionnaire. The personal data entered through the HQ is processed by WebMD, an accredited health organization with high standards for security and confidentiality. WebMD is bound by the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) privacy law, and will not share your personal health information or HQ scores with your annual conference, employer, the General Board or your insurance carrier (Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois or UnitedHealthcare). Q: Who sees the information I enter into the HQ? A: Depending on your risk factors, your responses to the HQ may be shared with your WebMD health coach, if you choose to work with one. WebMD and its health coaches are subject to the federal government s strict HIPAA privacy regulations. A health coach may contact you by telephone, but not in person. Although your conference or employer will know whether you completed the HQ, the personal information you enter in your HQ is not shared with your annual conference, employer, the General Board or your insurance carrier. Your conference or employer also will not know whether a health coach contacts you. Q: Does my personal health information remain confidential if it is imported from the Blueprint for Wellness (Quest Diagnostics) to the HQ (WebMD)? A: Yes. HealthFlex values the privacy of its participants. Your Blueprint for Wellness screening test results and the health information entered through the HQ remain confidential. Your individual data is never shared with your annual conference, employer, the General Board, HealthFlex or your insurance carrier (Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Illinois or UnitedHealthcare). Data is compared in group format only. For example, HealthFlex or your annual conference/employer may learn that 10% of participants are at risk for high cholesterol, but they won t know which people by name are at risk. Q: Do I have to take the Blueprint for Wellness screening though Quest Diagnostics in order to avoid the higher deductible in 2016? A: No, you may complete the HQ without taking the Blueprint for Wellness screening. But taking the Blueprint for Wellness screening allows your lab data to be imported into the HQ for your convenience when answering some of the HQ questions. If you choose to not take the Blueprint for Wellness screening, you may self-report the lab data or indicate you don t know this information when completing your HQ and still avoid the higher deductible in However, remember that self-reported data does not qualify for Wellness Points based on specific health measures. Q: Can I take the HQ on paper or do I need a computer with Internet access? A: Because of the security and data analysis involved, the HQ must be completed on a computer or mobile device with Internet access. If you don t have a computer or mobile device with Internet access at your home or work, you may be able to use a computer at the local library, your church, your conference or plan sponsor s benefits office, or a friend s home. You will log in with a username and password, which protect your privacy from others who may use that computer later. Q: What if I am unable to complete the HQ? A: If you are unable to complete the HQ, your written request for accommodation should be addressed to the General Board of Pension and Health Benefits, Attn: HQ Requests, 1901 Chestnut Avenue, Glenview, Illinois Please have your request to the General Board by the end of August to allow enough time for review before the end of the HQ incentive time period (September 30). Plan accordingly; if your request is not approved, you will be responsible for completing the HQ by September 30, 2015 or the higher deductible will apply in Page 14 of 14 General Board of Pension and Health Benefits, 1901 Chestnut Avenue, Glenview, Illinois 60025, ,