WakeWise Wellness Committee Lib Wanner, Chair Ruth Barlow Jennifer Bonchak Robin Cassidy Celia Farrell Donna Manning Tameka Robinson Elizabeth Spender-Smith

The WakeWise Wellness Initiative was launched on January 1, 2008, with the introduction of the County’s new health insurance plans with CIGNA. The WakeWise Wellness Committee has made incredible progress in our first year and has set new goals for 2009.

Goal: Awareness
Twenty-seven percent of employees completed a personal health risk assessment and became aware of the things that could improve their health.  In 2009, we aim to get 54 percent of employees using the new and improved online tools for better health. 

Goal: Exercise
Over 2,300 employees walked nearly 588,000 miles during the three WakeWise Miles to Health events.  Participants could “walk” to Las Vegas (120 days), Seattle (60 days) or the Appalachian Trail (30 days).  In 2009, our goal is to have 2,800 participants completing two million miles in two 60-day trips.  Look for the spring trip announcement in an upcoming edition of Insights.   

Goal: Nutrition
Wake employees recently submitted recipes for the WakeWise Wellness Healthy Kitchen.  The goal for 2009 is to have recipes available online for employees to access at any time.  Employees have received fast food pocket guides, and healthy eating and exercise guides to help make better lifestyle choices in 2009.

Goal: Support
WakeWise Wellness has kept employees updated on free CIGNA programs such as smoking cessation, stress reduction and weight management through Insights articles and on wakeemployees.com.  In 2009, a new online WakeWise Event Calendar will be available, as well as information on the new WakeWise Points to Wellness incentive program.

Be sure to read Insights for updates on CIGNA offerings.

Deputy County Manager, Joe Durham, has embraced a healthy lifestyle for the past 25 years.  His enthusiasm for a healthy lifestyle and general wellness is apparent in his life in and out of the office.  

When Joe was younger, his father suffered a debilitating stroke. This event impacted both Joe and his mother in a variety of ways. His father’s condition encouraged Joe and his mother to be mindful of their lifestyle and overall wellness.  Joe’s mother serves as an inspiration to him every day.

Stress is a natural part of Joe’s job, but he believes in a connection between the mind and body, and that exercise is important to being productive, sharp and on-task.  To help stay focused and manage stress, he commits himself to a 5 a.m. start with exercise five to six days per week at a local gym.  His workouts include cardio, strength training and outdoor cycling.     

Joe also believes in a healthy diet.  His nutrition strategy includes careful portion control, along with fat and salt content.  He enjoys fish two to three times per week, and seeks healthy snacks and menu options whenever possible. He also enjoys exchanging healthy recipes with his mother on a regular basis.

Joe states, “It isn’t about a diet.  It is consistency with a lifestyle on a daily basis.”

Employees can learn more about healthful living through WakeWise Wellness.

CIGNA has changed their Health Assessment platform for 2009 in order to help employees improve their health.  Developed by the University of Michigan, this version has a reputation for being a state-of-the-art program. 

The Assessment takes approximately 20 minutes to complete and includes questions regarding general health history, family health history and lifestyle management.

After completion, participants will receive a Wellness Score and a personalized wellness report that provides ideas for improved health. Participants will also have immediate access to on-line coaching programs and resources. 

In addition, participants can also complete the “Know Your Numbers” health screening.  The information requested includes a blood pressure reading, triglycerides, total cholesterol, HDL and LDL cholesterol, height and weight, and waist circumference. This information is usually available after completing an annual physical.

Participants will receive a $50.00 credit toward their deductible account for completing the Health Risk Assessment, and an additional $50.00 credit for taking the Know Your Numbers health screening. Participants must be screened and complete the Health Risk Assessment by December 31, 2009 to get credit.

For more information, including specific instructions, visit WakeWise Wellness at www.wakeemployees.com/wellness.

CIGNA health plans offer a variety of programs, online tools and benefits at no cost to the employee.  Some of those services include:

24-Hour Health Information Line
The 24-hour Health Information Line allows plan participants to speak to a registered nurse any time. This service is available for questions regarding any health concern. Call the toll free phone number located on the back of your CIGNA member identification card, 1-800-244-6224.

CIGNA Health Advisor Service     
CIGNA Health Advisors provide information, answer questions and help employees meet their health goals. To contact a Health Advisor, call 1-800-244-6224.  Hours are Monday–Friday, 9 a.m.–9 p.m., and Saturday 9 a.m.–12 p.m.

Lifestyle Management Programs
Employees have access to programs to help with stress management, quitting tobacco and weight management.  Employees can register on-line at myCIGNA.com or call 1-866-417-7848 to receive personalized information, telephonic access to a health coach, and a toolkit with a CD, workbook, and other items to help employees meet their goals.

CIGNA Behavioral Advantage
Happiness and health are related.  Scientific research shows the mind-body connection may be even deeper than previously thought.  With CIGNA, medical and behavioral care work together. For more details, call a CIGNA professional at 1-866-417-7848.

Health Rewards Program
The Health Rewards program provides discounts on health programs and services as part of CIGNA’s ongoing effort to promote wellness.  Programs and services include fitness, dental care products and services, mind, body and healthy lifestyle products, and more.  To learn more, log in to mycigna.com or call 1-800-870-3470.

Effective March 2009, CIGNA will add individuals’ Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) available fund balance to their out-going response system for electronic eligibility and benefits verification. This will allow health care professionals performing an electronic verification of benefits to see whether the member has funds available in their account to cover the cost of the service or treatment. 

By adding this information to the verification system, it may lessen the likelihood of a health care professional attempting to collect payment for deductible or coinsurance amounts at the time of service or treatment. 

Most providers will honor the information received during the verification.  While it is still important for a patient to inform their health care professional of HRA participation at the time of the visit, each provider manages their office differently and may request payment at the time of service.

If there is a balance remaining from 2008 in an employee’s flex spending account, claims for out-of-pocket eligible health care expenses incurred during 2008 can be filed until March 31, 2009.  Left over funds from 2008 can also be used to cover health care expenses incurred between January 1 and March 15, 2009.

For questions or general information about flex spending accounts, including how to access an online account, contact Interactive Medical Systems at 919-877-9933.

The CIGNA Health team makes contact with its participants by phone or letter.  This correspondence is based on claims information, medication information and information on your Health Risk Assessment.

CIGNA representatives place phone calls to provide additional information and resources to a patient related to a specific, individual health-related issue.  When a representative leaves a phone message, it is helpful to return the call promptly. Specific reasons for the call cannot be left on a message due to confidentiality laws. 

For more information on CIGNA’s privacy policies, visit www.cigna.com/privacy.