CHICAGO, IL (September 4, 2007) \u2013 The Evangelical Covenant Church (ECC) has partnered in a unique effort to help enhance the level of health enjoyed by employees of the denomination and others covered under its Bethany Benefit Service medical insurance plan.<\/p>\n
Those covered under the plan are being encouraged to complete an online health risk assessment designed to help those individuals identify and address potential health risk areas before serious health problems develop. In August, participants received a letter including the website address and instructions for logging onto the website.<\/p>\n
To encourage voluntary participation, each individual completing the assessment will receive a $50 gift card under the program that is also co-sponsored by Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield and HealthMedia Succeed, the organization administering the survey. Covered employees and spouses (if also covered by Highmark) are eligible for gift cards if each completes the assessment.<\/p>\n
The comprehensive health survey covers all aspects of an individual\u2019s health, including personal fitness and exercise, nutrition, stress, safety, heart health, cancer risk and more. It requires 20 minutes on average to complete. Upon completion, participants will receive a Personal Health Plan for Healthy Living customized for each individual. Under federal regulations, all of the information collected by HealthMedia Succeed will be kept confidential – individual results will not be shared with the ECC or Highmark.<\/p>\n
One key objective in this program is to encourage wellness by identifying potential risks early on, allowing time for individuals to make appropriate lifestyle changes and avoid more serious medical problems, says Elliott Johnson, ECC director of finance\/controller.<\/p>\n
Proactive lifestyle changes and improved health offer a financial benefit as well, Johnson notes, especially for local churches and other ministries. \u201cBy encouraging staff members to improve the condition of their own health, churches also help hold down future increases in health insurance premiums, which represents a significant portion of a local church\u2019s budget.\u201d<\/p>\n
Johnson attributes the Covenant\u2019s very good health insurance premium experience \u2013 last year at five percent, well below other plans\u2019 double-digit increases \u2013 to similar efforts to contain health insurance costs.<\/p>\n
The novel gift card promotion began September 1 and will conclude October 15. Only those completing the online assessment by the October 15 deadline will be eligible to receive a $50 gift card. An email notification to participants will be sent approximately two weeks following completion of the survey, explaining how to request and redeem the gift cards.<\/p>\n
The Covenant benefit program is available to employees of participating Covenant churches, regional conferences, conference centers, Covenant ministries and pastors who work for voluntary employers of the Covenant Pension Plan.<\/p>\n