More online
MHealthy tomorrow launches its annual Rewards program, designed to get faculty and staff in the habit of reviewing their health annually and taking action to achieve their health goals.
This year’s program has been simplified to include only two steps:
• Complete the confidential annual health questionnaire
• Complete a confidential wellness screening
Qualifying benefits-eligible employees who complete both steps by May 2012 receive a $100 before-tax reward in their paycheck.
After being diagnosed with high blood pressure by his physician and later suffering a stroke in his eye, Michael Butler, catering manager for University Catering, says MHealthy programs have helped him lose 38 pounds and reach his health goals. MHealthy Rewards starts tomorrow and encourages employees to learn about their health by completing a health questionnaire and wellness screening. Photo by Bob Foran.
To protect privacy, U-M has again contracted with StayWell® Health Management, a national provider of health improvement services, to administer the health questionnaire and wellness screening.
A wellness screening includes a confidential assessment that checks blood pressure, cholesterol (total and HDL), height, and weight, and then an opportunity to review your results and discuss health goals with a health professional. Options for completing a wellness screening are available on the MHealthy Rewards website.
“This year’s Rewards program has been simplified even more than in previous years,” says LaVaughn Palma-Davis, senior director of University Health & Well-Being Services. “Complete the health questionnaire and a wellness screening and you’re done. You’ve learned about your health and earned $100 in the process.”
Michael Butler, catering manager for University Catering, knows how important it is to stay on top of his health. After discovering he had high blood pressure a few years ago and suffering a stroke in his eye two years later, he’s made his health a priority not only for himself but for his wife and son.
“Though my blood pressure was off the charts, two years after being diagnosed I still wasn’t doing the things I should to stay healthy,” Butler says. “My son likes to do a lot of the things I do and having a stroke was a wakeup call for me. I decided to start exercising, eat better and stay as healthy as possible for him.”
“This year’s universitywide goal for completing both the health questionnaire and wellness screening is 50 percent,” Palma-Davis says. “Those university departments that achieve or exceed this goal will be recognized for contributing to creating a culture of health at the university.”
