Exposure Control Plan
Benefits Committee
Commonly Asked Questions
Health Score Q&A
Roles Site
SimplyWell
Online Key Request
Simply Well
Questions and Answers
What is Simply Well?
SimplyWell is a comprehensive wellness program featuring:
- On-line health risk assessment
- On-site health screening, including blood profile
- Personalized healthy lifestyle coaching by registered nurses via phone
- 24-hour nurse call line
- Health education
- Health and wellness tracking
To participate this year, an employee and spouse or domestic partner must:
- On-line health risk assessment
- On-site health screening, including blood profile
- Personalized healthy lifestyle coaching by registered nurses via phone
- 24-hour nurse call line
- Health education
- Health and wellness tracking
Why do health plan participants receive a discount to participate in SimplyWell?
The SimplyWell premium discount encourages health plan members to participate in the wellness program. This in turn, should help to control health care costs for employees and the University.
If we sign up and then decide not to participate, when will our health plan contribution increase?Your participation in the SimplyWell program will be evaluated quarterly. If you are not participating, your premium will increase the next quarter. Individuals who fail to complete the health risk questionnaire and the health screening in the first quarter will be disenrolled and will not be allowed to re-enroll until the following year. Participants who have completed the questionnaire and screening will have the opportunity to earn points each quarter to receive the discount the following quarter.
Employees not enrolled in the health plan who elect to participate in the wellness plan who fail to complete the health risk questionnaire and the health screening in the first quarter will be disenrolled and charged the program cost of $11.25 monthly per person. Those who are not participating in the health plan who fail to earn their required points on a quarterly basis will also be charged $11.25 monthly per person.
How do I earn SimplyWell points?
You will receive points for:
- Health risk assessment - 3,500 points
- Health screening - 3,500 points
- On-line health education modules - 1,000 points (4 at 250 points each)
- On-line health trackers - 1,000 points (20 at 40 points each)
- Appointments - 1,000 points (2 at 500 points each)
The health risk assessment is a questionnaire addressing your health and wellness. It includes questions regarding your health history as well as your lifestyle, nutrition, fitness, seatbelt use, and alcohol and tobacco use. This information is completely confidential. It is used to develop a personal action plan tailored just for you.
What is the health screening?
The health screening is a free "mini-physical." It includes:
- Height and weight
- Blood pressure and pulse
- Blood draw (including cholesterol and blood sugar)
The on-line education modules are short courses on health care specifically selected for you based on your risk profile. You will have the opportunity to select from a number of topics. These easy-to-understand education modules take five to ten minutes to complete.
What are health trackers?
Health trackers are a convenient way to track your health activity on-line. Examples include:
|
Activity |
Points Available |
Notes |
| Exercise | Daily | Includes walking, yoga, vacuuming, gardening... |
| Weight | Weekly | |
| Breast self-exam | Monthly | |
| Blood pressure check | Weekly | At risk participants only |
| Blood sugar check | Daily | At risk participants only |
It is easy to earn your SimplyWell points and improve your health at the same time.
What is healthy lifestyle coaching?
Healthy lifestyle coaching is periodic telephone follow-up by Registered Nurses. These nurses have a minimum of 10 years of medical/surgical acute care experience. They will be contacting you concerning your progress on your individualized action plan. They will help you with any questions you may have. Your participation in the healthy lifestyle coaching is voluntary.
What are appointments?
Tracking your preventive care appointments is another way to earn your SimplyWell points. For example:
|
Appointment |
Points Available |
| Physical exam | Annually |
| Dental exam | 2 Annually |
| Vision exam | Annually |
| Mammogram | Annually |
| Pap smear | Annually |
| PSA (prostate exam) | Annually |
| Flu shot | Annually |
How does SimplyWell work for new employees?
New employees will be able to participate in the SimplyWell program. To participate in the program, new employees must:
- Sign up for the program
- Complete the on-line health risk assessment
- Complete the health screen (not required the first year if you join the University after the annual health screen has been completed)
- Earn the points required for the remainder of the year based on completed calendar quarters of employment
Yes. You will be given a website and have your own user ID and password to login. However, because of the large amount of information and interactive tools contained within the website, you may want to access the website via high speed connection.
If I don't sign up now, can I sign up next year?
Yes.
Eligibility
I want to take SimplyWell but am not on the medical plan. Can I enroll and, if so, what is the cost?
Yes, you may enroll. Buena Vista University will pay the entire cost of the program. If you and your spouse or domestic partner choose to enroll and fail to earn your quarterly wellness points, you will be charged the program cost of $11.25 per month per person on the next quarter. You will have the opportunity to earn points each quarter to receive the program free of charge for the following quarter.
What if only my spouse or domestic partner or I participate in the wellness plan, not both?
If you have family coverage, you and your spouse or domestic partner must participate in the SimplyWell program to receive the discount. If only one of you wishes to participate, you must pay the full family premium on the medical plan.
If I have family coverage but I am not covering a spouse or domestic partner, am I still eligible for the full discount?
Yes.
Can my spouse or domestic partner enroll in SimplyWell if I do not enroll?
No. You must participate in SimplyWell for your spouse or domestic partner to be eligible.
What if I am enrolled in SimplyWell through my spouse's or domestic partner's employer?
To be eligible for employer payment of the program fees and the health plan premium discount, you must transfer your membership to Buena Vista University.
What if my spouse or domestic partner is enrolled in SimplyWell through his or her employer?
Again, to be eligible for Buena Vista University payment of the program fees and the Buena Vista University Family health plan premium discount, you must transfer your spouse's or domestic partner's membership to the Buena Vista University program.
Do my children need to enroll in SimplyWell?
No. The program is available to employees and spouses or domestic partners only.
How can I be sure my personal information is private and secure?
SimplyWell has a very complex security system to keep your information private.
Your name and other personal information are stored in separate files. The information is encrypted and is only combined when you enter your user ID and password.
Your information is NOT stored on the internet.
Health Screening
Is the health screening required annually?
Yes.
Can we use the blood tests and physical our personal physician does?
No.
If I want the additional testing on the blood draw, what are the costs?
| • Complete metabolic profile * | $35.00 |
| • TSH (thyroid) | $25.00 |
| • PSA (prostate specific antigen) | $22.00 |
| • HGBA1C (Hemoglobin A1C for diabetics) | $30.00 |
* Complete Metabolic Profile: a test panel that gives your doctor important information about the current status of your kidneys, liver, and electrolyte and acid/base balance as well as your blood sugar and blood proteins.
Additional lab tests must be purchased on-line by credit card when you complete the health risk assessment. Additional tests are not available the day of the screening unless you have signed up for them in advance.
If you purchase additional lab tests and you elect to participate in the Buena Vista medical spending account, the charge is eligible for reimbursement. If this applies to you, contact Human Resources for a receipt to submit for reimbursement.
How do I register for the health screening?
You can enroll on-line by launching your internet. Go to www.simplywell.com. Click on "login." Next, you will be asked to enter your participant identification number (your Social Security number), date of birth and gender. Now you are able to complete your on-line enrollment steps
How long does the health screening process take?
It takes approximately 15 minutes for each person to go through the health screening.
What takes place during a health screening?
- Check-in
- Lab work
- Height and weight
- Blood pressure and pulse
- Check-out
Do I have to "FAST" prior to having my lab work completed?
We recommend you fast for 8 to 12 hours prior to the laboratory tests. You should continue to take any prescribed medications. We do encourage you to drink two to four 8 ounce glasses of water before your health screening. If you have any medical conditions, such as diabetes, which may be affected by fasting, please consult your physician before fasting.
When will I be able to view my results on-line?
Generally, you will be able to view your results within 48 hours to 72 hours after your on-line health questionnaire and health screening are complete.
Can my physician(s) view my test results reports?
Yes. You may print your physician summary and your lab test results. In addition, your physician(s) will be able to view your results/reports if you assign them a temporary password (from your SimplyWell On-line Application).
Will my results be shared with my employer?
No, to ensure privacy protection, the SimplyWell Application has been designed, developed and coded with the best available technology to support full compliance with all applicable federal and state privacy laws, including HIPAA.