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Wellness Profile
Program details and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
A benefits-eligible university employee who completes the SHALA and Wellness Profile between January 2 and November 30 is eligible to receive a wellness incentive ranging from $200 to $480.
An employee receiving medical benefits from Stanford, and sharing data, is eligible for $480 annually for completing all 4 Parts of the Wellness Profile. An employee not on a Stanford-provided medical plan, or not sharing data, is still eligible for $200 annually for completion of Parts 1-3 of the Wellness Profile.
A spouse/registered domestic partner of a participating benefits-eligible university employee is eligible for a $240 wellness incentive for completion of Parts 1-3 of the Wellness Profile. For a spouse to be eligible for this incentive, the employee and spouse/registered domestic partner must receive their medical benefits from Stanford and have agreed to share data. Furthermore, the employee must complete all 4 Parts of the Wellness Profile (in accordance with specified deadlines outlined below) in order for the spouse/partner to qualify for his or her $240 incentive. Lastly, both employee and spouse must be on a Stanford-provided medical plan at the time of incentive payouts (early February 2017) in order to earn these incentives.
To review your and your spouse/partner’s incentive eligibility, please visit our Incentive Calculator.
The Wellness Profile is comprised of the following four parts:
Part 1 - Screening: Regular health screenings can increase your awareness of heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome. BeWell's trained staff provides free one-on-one health screenings (total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides, glucose, body mass index, height and weight, waist circumference and blood pressure) at five locations around campus. See map. You can also have your screenings done at your doctor’s office (with a co-pay). If you choose to submit screening results from your doctor's office, you have two options. You may bring a copy of your labwork with you to your advising appointment or you may submit your labwork directly to BeWell via a secure fax line. The deadline to fax in screening results obtained from your own physician is October 15. (See Important Program deadlines.)
Part 2 - Advising: Meeting with a BeWell Coach gives you the opportunity to discuss your overall well-being, ask questions, and connect with relevant resources on campus. BeWell provides a free one-on-one Advising session scheduled immediately after your Screening appointment. If you elect to have your health screening information submitted from your doctor’s office (due 10/15/16), you may schedule an Advising-only appointment after BeWell has received and recorded your results.
October 31 is the Screening & Advising (Parts 1 and 2) deadline for those employees intending to complete all four Parts (with Parts 3 and 4 completed by Nov. 30) of the Wellness Profile to earn the maximum incentive of $480 — which would also qualify the employee’s spouse/registered domestic partner to earn a $240 incentive (if the spouse completes Parts 1-3 by Nov. 30). Employees (and spouses) must be receiving medical benefits from Stanford at the time of the incentive payout, scheduled for early February 2017, in order to earn these incentives.
Part 3 - Plan: Having a wellness plan helps keep you on track. BeWell provides you with a personalized, online planning tool to identify your wellness goals and outline strategies for achieving them. Complete the plan online by yourself for a partial financial incentive or choose to keep going with the help of a wellness coach for a full financial incentive.
Part 4 - Engagement: Having professional support can make a measurable difference in your health outcomes. Engage with a BeWell Coach who will provide follow-up from your Advising session and support you in any new areas you’d like to discuss. You will finish the process by writing a brief reflection. (Note: spouses are not eligible for Engagement.)
Earning incentives for your wellness
For a free calculation of your maximum incentives and program deadlines, please visit our Incentive Calculator.
Employees and spouses on a Stanford-provided medical plan and sharing data:
If you are a returning participant/employee who completes the SHALA, Parts 1 and 2 (Screening & Advising) of the Wellness Profile by October 31, and finishes all 4 Parts of the Wellness Profile by November 30, you will receive a $480 (taxable) wellness incentive as a lump-sum payment in your early 2017 paycheck — assuming you are on a Stanford-provided medical plan at the time of incentive payout, scheduled to occur in early February 2017. Completion of all 4 Parts of the Wellness Profile, per the deadlines, also qualifies your spouse/registered domestic partner to receive a $240 (taxable) incentive if he/she completes Parts 1-3 of the Wellness Profile by November 30, 2016. Your spouse also must be on a Stanford-provided medical plan at the time of the incentive payout (early February 2017).
If an employee misses the October 31 Screening/Advising deadline, he/she can still earn a $200 incentive for completing Parts 1-3 by November 30.
Employees and spouses not on a Stanford-provided medical plan OR not sharing data:
If you are a returning participant/employee who completes the SHALA and Parts 1 through 3 of the Wellness Profile by November 30, you will receive a $200 (taxable) wellness incentive as a lump-sum payment two pay periods after you complete Part 3 of your Wellness Profile. You may choose to participate in Part 4 of the Wellness Profile (Engagement), but it is not required for your maximum incentive of $200. Spouses/partners of employees not on a Stanford-sponsored medical plan or not sharing data may still participate in the Wellness Profile, but are not eligible for financial incentives.
New Stanford employees:
If you are new to BeWell, or were not able to complete the SHALA and Wellness Profile in 2015, you are eligible to receive $200 for completing the SHALA and Parts 1-3 of the Wellness Profile by November 30, 2016. Once completed, you will receive your $200 taxable incentive in a regular paycheck listed under Earnings as “Wellness” within 2 pay periods.
For further explanation of the deadlines, see Important Program Deadlines and the following FAQs.
Wellness Profile FAQs
What is the Wellness Profile?
- Screening (conducted by BeWell or by your physician)
- Advising (available in-person immediately following your BeWell screening or by phone appointment)
- Plan (completed by you through your BeWell account)
- Engagement (done with the support of your BeWell Coach)
SCREENING & ADVISING & PLAN (PARTS 1-3) FAQs
What is the Screening?
Screening, provided for free at several convenient BeWell locations (map), consists of the following measurements assessing risk for heart disease, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome:
• Total Cholesterol (TC)*
• High Density Lipoprotein (HDL)*
• Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL)*
• Triglycerides (TG)*
• Glucose*
• Blood Pressure
• Body Mass Index (Height and Weight)
• Waist Circumference
* These are FASTING, finger-stick tests. Fasting means no food (including gum or candy) or drink should be consumed within ten to twelve hours of your appointment. Water and prescription medications are acceptable and encouraged. Pregnant women and participants with certain health conditions are not required to fast.
Screening information can also be acquired through your personal physician if you have had blood work done after November 1, 2015.
I am pregnant; do I still need to fast?
No. Our participants who are pregnant may not find it comfortable or feasible to fast for 10-12 hours. We are happy to make an exception to the fasting rule in this case. Please still plan to come in for a finger-stick so we can obtain all of the necessary information. Your health screener will ask you about pregnancy status at the start of the appointment.
I am a diabetic on a regular course of insulin; do I still need to fast?
No. Participants who have diabetes and are on insulin may not find it feasible to fast for 10-12 hours. We are happy to make an exception to the fasting rule in this case. Please still plan to come in for a finger-stick so we can obtain all of the necessary information. Your health screener will ask you about medication status at the start of the appointment.
I have another health concern that makes it difficult for me to fast. Are there other options?
We understand. Please contact our BeWell office directly to talk about your specific situation.
How do I complete my Screening with BeWell?
Screenings are offered Monday through Friday from January through November. You can register for your Screening appointment by logging into the program here. Once you have logged in, click the Screening button under the Wellness Profile heading and you will be able to register for a date and time that fits your schedule. Testing takes place daily between 7:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. at various locations on and off campus.
Where are the appointments held?
Screening and Advising appointments are available in several locations throughout the year: Ford-Burnham Pavilion, 1070 Arastradero, 3160 Porter Drive, Li Ka Shing, Lokey Stem Cell Research Building and the SLAC Recreation Facility. Map. Once a year, we travel to Redwood City, Livermore, and Monterey Bay.
How many times can I participate in the Screening?
You are eligible for one Screening per calendar year. If you are interested in a second screening in the same calendar year, please contact BeWell.
Do I need to wait a full 12 months between each Screening?
No. You may schedule your Screening at any time during the calendar year. We encourage participants to come in earlier in the year to make the most of the BeWell Program. Additionally, appointments fill up quickly in the fall and become more difficult to schedule.
Can I choose to visit my doctor for completing Part 1 - Screening?
Yes. Log into the program website and click the Screening link under the Wellness Profile. You will select “Option 2: Screening by Physician,” confirm, and download our Screening Form with fax submission instructions. Once we process your fax, you will receive an email confirmation and can schedule your phone Advising appointment through our online portal. Please note that the last day to fax in your Screening by Physician Form is October 15, as we fill up on phone advising appointments quickly in November.
What is Advising?
The 10-30 minute Advising session is an opportunity for you to discuss your screening results and any areas of interest related to your health and wellness. Your BeWell Coaches hold advanced degrees in fields like Exercise Science, Nutrition, Counseling, and Public Health. This session can be used for setting goals, gathering information, learning about resources and/or getting support in maintaining existing healthy habits.
Can I schedule a Screening and Advising session at the same time?
Yes. If you choose to receive your screening through BeWell, your appointment time will include both Screening and Advising sessions.
How do I do the Advising appointment if I have my screening results sent from my doctor?
Once the BeWell office receives your screening results, we will update your account and you will receive an email letting you know when you can log into your account and schedule an Advising-only appointment. Your Advising session can be done in person or by phone at a date and time that is convenient for you.
Instead of faxing in my screening results from my doctor's office, can I bring them with me to my appointment?
Yes, if your screening was done after November 1, 2015 and includes all the necessary screening measurements, you may schedule a combined Screening and Advising appointment and bring a copy of your screening results with you to the appointment.
What if I need to cancel my Screening or Advising session?
Cancellations must be done online at least 24 hours prior to the scheduled session. If it is at least 24 hours prior, you can cancel online through your BeWell account and reschedule for another date and time. If it is less than 24 hours, please contact the BeWell office.
What is Part 3 - the Plan?
The Plan is an online tool for developing personal wellness strategies. Your BeWell Coach will help you get started with your Plan during your advising session. You can then complete it on your own by logging into your BeWell account.
PART 4 - ENGAGEMENT FAQs
What is Part 4 - Engagement?
Engagement is an opportunity for additional support in achieving (or maintaining) your wellness goals, and involves working with a BeWell Coach who can provide resources, direct assistance in goal setting, and/or ongoing encouragement of existing healthy behaviors. Your process will conclude with a written a Reflection which your coach will read and acknowledge.
Why did BeWell add Engagement?
The personalized support provided by follow-up coaching will help you make real progress toward your wellness goals. Our coaches are experts in wellness, so you don’t have to be. They can guide you to the most useful health and wellness opportunities at Stanford for you.
What do I have to do to complete the Engagement part of the program?
While filling out your Plan, you can choose to participate in the fourth part of the Wellness Profile — Engagement. This fourth step involves a follow-up call (or more if you like) with a BeWell Coach who will support you through your process, whether that means clarifying what you want to do or checking in with how it’s already going. Once you’ve taken action and written a reflection, your coach will approve it and your Wellness Profile will be complete.
What is the deadline for completion of Part 4 - Engagement?
To be eligible for Part 4 - Engagement, you must complete your Screening and Advising appointment by October 31. Completion of Part 3 - Plan and Part 4 - Engagement must occur by November 30. Thus, after October 31, you will have a minimum of four weeks to complete your Coaching and Reflection (Part 4 - Engagement) before the November 30 end-of-program deadline.
What if I missed the first Screening/Advising deadline of October 31. Can I still participate?
If an employee does not complete Screening/Advising by October 31, he/she is not eligible to complete all four Parts of the Wellness Profile and earn the maximum $480 incentive. However, if the employee completes Parts 1-3 (Screening/Advising/Plan) by November 30, he/she will be eligible for a $200 incentive. Missing the Oct. 31 Screening/Advising deadline also disqualifies that employee's spouse/partner from earning a separate spouse incentive.
INCENTIVES FAQs
Has the Wellness Profile incentive changed for 2016?
No. Financial incentives still range from $200 to $480 a year. Your incentive and payment date depends on your level of participation. Factors include:
• If you are a first time participant
• Your engagement level
• Your medical plan election
• Your choice to share your data
• If your spouse/partner participates
To determine your incentive, please refer to our incentive calculator.
For spouses and registered domestic partners, what is the 2016 incentive structure?
The incentive structure for spouses did not change from the 2015 program. Spouses can continue to participate in Parts 1-3 of the Wellness Profile (Screening, Advising & Plan). The Stanford employee must also complete Parts 1-4 of their Wellness Profile (Screening, Advising, Plan & Engagement) in order for the spouse to earn an incentive. This means the employee must meet the October 31 Screening/Advising deadline and the November 30 end-of-program deadline. Important note: Both employees and spouses must be on a Stanford-provided medical plan at the time of incentive payouts (early February 2017) to earn their incentives.
Is the Berry/Healthy Work Environment incentive separate?
Yes. Benefits-eligible employees who complete 6 or more Berries before the November 30, 2015 deadline, or participate with Healthy Work Environment quarterly goals for 10 weeks, earn $100 (taxable) regardless of their other program elections. This incentive is processed once you complete your sixth Berry, or your HWE goals are approved, and is included in your regular paycheck under Earnings as “Berries” or “HWE” within 2 pay periods. Learn more: Berries or Healthy Work Environment. Important note: Employees may earn only one $100 incentive for Berries OR for Healthy Work Environment goals — whichever comes first.
Why are participants who receive medical benefits from Stanford, share information, and choose to complete the Engagement (Part 4) portion of the Wellness Profile receiving a bigger incentive?
If you are enrolled in a Stanford-provided medical plan, complete all 4 parts of the Wellness Profile, and agree to share your health screening information, you are helping Stanford understand the health status of our community — which helps us better tailor our prevention programs and services to the Stanford population. In addition, if you are making healthy lifestyle choices because of the BeWell program, you may be helping Stanford contain its health care costs. Thus, we want to encourage and reward our employees and their dependents for making the commitment to leading a healthy lifestyle.
We still reward employees who take steps to be healthy — even if they are not enrolled in a Stanford-sponsored medical plan, do not agree to share their information or do not participate in the Engagement part of the Wellness Profile. Employees can start of join a Healthy Work Environment (HWE) and are eligible for the Berry incentives regardless of whether or not they share information or are on a Stanford-provided medical plan. Furthermore, everyone has the opportunity to participate in parts 1-3 of the Wellness Profile (Screening, Advising and Plan).
In addition, benefits-eligible employees who do not receive their medical benefits from Stanford because they have waived medical coverage already receive a financial incentive of $25 (listed as "Flex Cash") per paycheck — or $600 per year.
When will I see the incentive for my spouse/registered domestic partner’s 2016 participation?
A spouse/registered domestic partner will receive his/her $240 (taxable) wellness incentive in early 2017 for 2016 participation. A payment will be added to the employee’s regular paycheck under Earnings. Important notes: The Stanford employee must complete parts 1 through 4 of their Wellness Profile in order for his/her spouse/partner to be eligible for an incentive. This means that the employee must first meet the October 31 Screening/Advising deadline and then the November 30 end-of-program deadline. Furthermore, both employee and spouse must be receiving their medical benefits from Stanford at the time of the incentive payouts (early February 2017) to earn their 2016 incentives.
What if I complete all 4 Parts of the Wellness Profile per the deadlines, but by the time of the incentive payout, I am no longer receiving medical benefits from Stanford, either because I left the university or am still employed by Stanford but no longer receive my medical benefits from the university. Will I still receive my incentive?
No. You must receive medical benefits from Stanford at the time of the incentive payouts, anticipated to be early February 2017, in order to earn your 2016 incentive.
