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State wellness program to begin eight-week assessment

Health Matters, the State Employee Wellness Program, will launch an eight-week campaign next month encouraging participation in an online personal health assessment (PHA).

Also known as a health risk appraisal PHA is a confidential, simple health questionnaire that gives employees a free, customized report about what they are doing that is health wise and where they could make beneficial changes.

The tool is available to employees at no cost as part of the state’s contract with Blue Cross of Idaho. Using the PHA not only will provide valuable data, it will create individual responsibility and accountability for health, according to the program announcement.

It is HIPAA compliant and provided by VieLife. Access will be through the Blue Cross Web site (http://www.bcidaho.com/index.asp ) . Information gathered is housed and owned by VieLife.

Participant information is available to Blue Cross for medical management purposes. Individual participant information is not shared with the agencies. However, the program will receive general information regarding where future educational efforts could be focused.

“Gov. Butch Otter is an example of employee health and wellness and believes in our responsibility to encourage healthy habits for our employees,” said Mike Gwartney, director of the Department of Administration.

“The personal health assessment is one tool our employees can use to help them maximize and protect participation in the PHA this fall. It’s a 15-minute investment of time with valuable returns for the employee.”

More information will be available in the coming weeks, he said.