Save money in 2017 by participating in the Wellness Program!

Participation is voluntary. There is no penalty for non-participation, but there are rewards!

New for 2017: Enjoy waived PCP copays AND reduced specialist copays by selecting a PCP (if not done previously), completing the online health assessment, and having your recommended screenings done.

The 2017 Wellness Program begins 1/1/17. The sooner in 2017 that you complete your activities, the sooner you start saving!

4 Easy Steps to Get Started in the 2017 Wellness Program, beginning 1/1/17:

1. Visit your medical carrier’s website to create an account (if you have already created an account, you do not need to set up a new account to complete the activities).

2. Select your PCP (if not already done).

3. Complete the online health risk assessment (HRA) which is available on 1/1/17. You have a choice between completing your medical plan’s health risk assessment or the State’s health risk assessment, which is available at http://dbm.maryland.gov/benefits/Documents/State%20of%20Maryland%202016%20Health%20Risk%20Assessment.pdf.  (If you complete the State’s HRA, you will indicate this on your medical plan’s wellness tab.) Once done with steps 2 and 3, your PCP copay waiver begins within 1 week!

4. Take the list of health screenings, available at  http://dbm.maryland.gov/benefits/Documents/CY17_Wellness_%20Plan_Activities.pdfwith you to your annual physical exam, and if your doctor recommends any of the screenings, complete the screening(s). Within 30 days of completing the screening(s), your Specialist copays are reduced to $25.00!

Any questions?

Here’s a link to the Wellness Program FAQ’s: http://dbm.maryland.gov/benefits/Documents/Wellness_Program_FAQs.pdf

Flu Season is an annual occurrence, but getting the flu doesn’t have to be!

Getting an annual flu vaccine is the first and best way to protect yourself and your family from the flu. The CDC recommends that people get a flu vaccine early (now is a good time) and at least by the end of October. 

• The CDC recommends a yearly flu vaccine as the first and most important step in protecting against flu viruses.
• Flu vaccination can reduce flu illnesses, doctors’ visits, and missed work and school due to flu, as well as prevent flu-related hospitalizations.
• Everyone 6 months of age and older should get a flu vaccine.

Visit your medical insurance carrier’s website or call your doctor’s office for more information about getting your flu shot.
Get Healthy in 2016 with the State of Maryland Employee Wellness Program – visit the State of Maryland Wellness Website for information on wellness coaching, weight management, video/virtual visits, health tips, and much more! http://dbm.maryland.gov/benefits/Pages/WellnessHome.aspx

Answer the phone…for your health.
The phone is ringing. Caller ID says it’s your health insurance company calling…what do they want? Pick up the phone to find out because this is one call you don’t want to miss!

This call might change your life.
Searching for information on your treatment options can be time-consuming and confusing. To help, your health insurance company may call you if you have diabetes, coronary artery disease, COPD, or Atrial Fibrillation to connect you with disease management program resources that support your health. Topics include education on conditions, self-management, medication, appointments, and lifestyle behaviors. They may call after you return home from an inpatient stay to assure that you are doing well.  They may call simply to check in to see if you are getting timely care.

You are not required to participate in these Disease Management Outreach Calls, but if you do, you will experience these benefits:

• You’ll learn about resources you may not know you have as part of your medical benefits.
• You’ll get better treatment results.
• You’ll experience a quicker recovery so that you feel better sooner.
• You’ll understand your medication and medical equipment better.
• You’ll have someone to talk to confidentially, someone who will support you in your health and wellness.

So, go ahead and answer the phone–it’s important information just for you!

Get Healthy in 2016 with the State of Maryland Employee Wellness Program – visit the State of Maryland Wellness Website for information on wellness coaching, weight management, video/virtual visits, health tips, and much more! 

Partnering with a wellness coach gives you free personalized and confidential health support!

Maybe your body is not functioning right – your energy level is low, yet you have difficulty falling and staying asleep. Perhaps you do not like what you see in the mirror – you’ve even joined a gym, but rarely go. You want to initiate doing something good for your body, but it’s hard to get past a number of the obstacles by yourself. It’s time to consider working with a wellness coach!

What is a wellness coach?

A Wellness coach is a trained professional who can help you achieve your well-being goals by providing motivational support and expert guidance.

How can wellness coaching help?

• A wellness coach can help you create a custom plan to reach goals like these:
• Get active and stay active.
• Eat a healthy, nutritious diet that you enjoy.
• Lose weight and keep it off.
• Manage stress whenever it becomes too much.
• Quit tobacco for good.
• Stay on track with your doctor’s plan.
• Feel happier and better all around.

How much does wellness coaching costs?

Wellness coaching is offered FREE OF CHARGE to all State of Maryland employees and their covered spouses who have health insurance benefits through Carefirst, United Health Care and Kaiser Permanente.

How do I get started?

Don’t delay, start your wellness coaching partnership today by calling the wellness coaching numbers for your health insurance carrier listed below:

CareFirst: 1-800-783-4582 (press 2)
United Healthcare: 1-800-478-1057 (press 2)
Kaiser Permanente: 1-866-862-4295 (press 0)

Please contact Brenda Salas at Brenda.salas@maryland.gov if you would like additional information.

According to a recent study, your cardio-respiratory fitness directly impacts your quality of sleep. In a 4-decade long study of 9,000 men and women, as cardio-respiratory fitness diminished, sleep complaints increased. Why the link? Study authors say that frequent exercise cuts back on anxiety and weight gain, both of which can contribute to sleep trouble in your 40s and 50s. What’s the best exercise to do to improve your sleep? The exercise that you like to do! If you like dancing, put music on and dance around for 30 minutes, 4-5 times a week. Like walking? That works, too–keep a steady pace, walk for 30 minutes (or more) 4-5 times a week. Really, any exercise that increases your heart rate moderately for 30 or more minutes, done 4-5 times a week, will work!

Great News! The 2015 Wellness Plan healthy activities deadline has been extended to December 31, 2015!

Participants now have an additional 90 days to complete the activities for 2015:

1. Select a PCP
2. Complete the health assessment
3. Review the results of the the health risk assessment with your PCP and return the signed physician form to your carrier

PCP copays ​can still be waived once the activities are completed through 12/31/15. ​And you avoid the surcharge!​

Go to http://dbm.maryland.gov/benefits/Pages/WellnessHome.aspx for links to the carrier sites and easy tips for wellness completion.

The State Employee Wellness Program’s goal is to promote “Maryland Healthy Meeting and Event Guidelines”. For more information, visit the official page on maryland.gov.

The State Employee Wellness Initiative’s goal is to promote “Maryland Healthy Meeting and Event Guidelines”. Attached are the newly developed Maryland Healthy Meeting and Event Guidelines, complementary message to employees, and message to leadership. Please take the time to read each of these.