Time to get back in step with 10,000 Steps-A-Day

When it created the County Health Plan, the NCACC chose service partners committed to improving members’ health. And because member groups want something more out of their group benefits coverage than just somebody to pay claims, the County Lifestyles Program was created to encourage employees to get more actively involved in their healthcare.

10,000 Steps-A-Day returns: Last year the County Health Plan unveiled the 10,000 Steps-A-Day program, a fitness regimen designed to encourage employees to begin a regular exercise program to improve their fitness. More than 2,000 employees participated in the program. Due to the high participation rate, the Association decided to bring the program back this fall.

The 10,000 Steps-A-Day program is simple for employees to use. The 24-week program began anew Oct. 1, and there is still plenty of time to join and become eligible for the prize drawings. Prizes are given at random to active participants at eight, 16 and 24 weeks.

Each new participant will receive a pedometer to count their steps. Participants log their number of daily steps via the Web site and become eligible for prizes and other incentives once they reach specific milestones.

The County Lifestyles Program is a complement to the various disease management programs offered through the County Health Plan. The goal is to get employees active and to improve employee well-being, morale and productivity, ultimately reducing healthcare costs.

Visit the County Health Plan Web site at www.nccountyhealthplan.org/10000steps.html to get started.

Making mail order easy: Beginning Nov. 1, Caremark will offer to the County Health Plan the mail-order Fast Start Program, which makes enrolling in the prescription drug mail order program a cinch. Participants simply call a toll-free number and Caremark does the rest.

In addition to the information members will receive about getting started with Fast Start, the County Health Plan will send each covered member a $10 off coupon that can be used on a new or current mail order prescription.

Take the new Health Risk Assessment online: All County Health Plan covered employees are encouraged to visit www.myCIGNA.com between Dec. 15 through Jan. 31 and complete the new Health Risk Assessment (HRA) created especially for CIGNA.

The HRA takes about 15 minutes to complete and gives the County Health Plan and CIGNA Disease Management insight into our member’s health. It can link covered members with disease management programs, and can help the NCACC customize its wellness focus for each member group. The HRA features a new interactive Web-based section that helps participants learn more about lifestyle areas that need special attention, such as fitness or nutrition.

Additionally, each covered employee who successfully completes the HRA will receive a coupon for $25 off their next mail order prescription. In many cases, that coupon will pay for a full three months’ supply of medication at mail order.