Frequently Asked Questions
How do I sign up for a MHealthy Wellness Assessment?
The 2009 MHealthy Wellness Assessment program has ended. Feel free to visit the MHealthy website,
www.mhealthy.umich.edu for other programs and services.
What is an MHealthy Wellness Assessment?
An MHealthy Wellness Assessment is a free, voluntary and confidential assessment providing an opportunity to know your numbers -
cholesterol, blood pressure and glucose -- and learn about your personal health. In 2009, the wellness assessment includes a health
questionnaire and a wellness screening appointment which concludes with a brief results review session where you will review a personal
health report with a health care professional and receive information on health improvement resources.
Why is the University offering Wellness Assessments?
The University is deeply committed to creating and encouraging a culture of health among its faculty and staff community. The MHealthy
Wellness Assessment is an important next step in furthering the work begun under MFit and the Michigan Healthy Community initiative
towards creating and encouraging a community of health. The MHealthy Wellness Assessment gives you information about your current
health status and suggests specific actions that you can take to improve your health.
Why should I participate in the Wellness Assessment?
By understanding your current health status and knowing your risk factors, you can help take action to help minimize or even prevent
future health problems. Even healthy individuals may discover areas of concern through a wellness assessment. If your results do not
indicate a problem, it shows your lifestyle is working for you. Your participation will also support your colleagues in making positive
lifestyle changes by modeling healthy behaviors.
Who can participate?
All active faculty and staff are eligible to participate.
Is there an incentive for participating?
Yes, in addition to getting a free assessment of your current health status and ways to maintain or improve your overall health and
well-being, benefit-eligible faculty and staff who complete the MHealthy Wellness Assessment will also receive a $100 (before taxes)
incentive in their pay check. To receive the incentive, you must complete all three steps in the MHealthy Wellness Assessment process,
including: 1) sign up and schedule a screening appointment, 2) complete the health questionnaire, and 3) Complete your 30-minute
wellness screening appointment.
Who can receive the $100 incentive?
Benefit-eligible faculty and staff, who complete the MHealthy Wellness Assessment will receive a $100 (before taxes) incentive in their
pay check. GSIs, GSSAs, GSRAs, Reseach Fellows and non-benefit-eligible faculty and staff may participate in the assessment but will
not receive the incentive.
How do I sign up for a MHealthy Wellness Assessment?
Register online beginning Monday, December 8, 2008. Visit the MHealthy website,
www.mhealthy.umich.edu for the registration page. For those without computer access, you can register by calling
StayWell's HelpLine at 800-926-5455.
How long will it take to complete the Wellness Assessment?
Your MHealthy Wellness Assessment includes a health questionnaire and a wellness screening appointment that concludes with a brief
results review session where you will receive your personal health report and information on additional health-related programs and
services. The online health questionnaire takes 10-15 minutes to complete and can be completed at your convenience any time prior to
the wellness screening. The wellness screening and results review session will take approximately 30 minutes to complete.
How much does it cost?
The MHealthy Wellness Assessment is free for all active, faculty and staff.
Am I required to get a Wellness Assessment?
No, registering for a MHealthy Wellness Assessment is voluntary.
How soon can I expect to receive my incentive payment after completing the wellness assessment?
Look for your incentive payment to arrive in your paycheck at least 60 days after you attend your wellness screening appointment.
What if I have questions?
For assistance with the MHealthy Wellness Assessment registration process or any aspect of the health questionnaire, please contact
StayWell's HelpLine at 800-926-5455. The helpline hours are:
Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. (ET)
Fridays, 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.(ET)
Saturdays, 9 a.m. - 1 p.m. (ET)
(Voicemail available after hours.)
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Eligibility
I am an employee but don't get my insurance through the University; am I still eligible to get an MHealthy Wellness
Assessment?
Yes, if you have a regular appointment as a faculty or staff member, you are eligible to get an MHealthy Wellness Assessment.
Can my spouse/child get an MHealthy Wellness Assessment?
Currently, the MHealthy Wellness Assessment program is only available to active faculty and staff.
Can retirees get an MHealthy Wellness Assessment?
At this time, retirees are not eligible to participate in the wellness assessment.
Can part-time employees get a Wellness Assessment?
Yes, all regular, part-time employees can participate but only those who are benefit-eligible can qualify to receive the $100 cash
incentive for completing the program.
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Wellness Assessment Appointments
What happens at the wellness screening appointment?
Your wellness screening will include the following measurements: height, weight, waist circumference, blood pressure, total and HDL
cholesterol, and glucose level. These measurements will be added to your answers you gave in the on-line heath questionnaire (please
complete the questionnaire prior to your screening appointment) to create your personal health report. A health professional will
briefly review the results of your health report with you, suggest opportunities for health improvement and provide information on the
resources available to you here at the university.
How should I prepare for my on-site screening appointment?
Be sure to complete the on-line health questionnaire before your screening appointment. Bring your health questionnaire ID and password
as well as your UM Employee ID card (yellow Mcard) with you to your screening appointment. No fasting is required, but if possible we
recommend not eating or drinking anything but water for at least two hours prior to your appointment time. You can take medications on
your normal schedule.
Can I take my Wellness Assessment during my work day?
A variety of appointment times are available to accommodate staff members on all shifts, both during and outside of normal business
hours. Because departments/units vary in their scheduling policies and staffing needs, please check with your manager or supervisor
prior to making your appointment if it will occur during your scheduled work day.
Are there appointment times available in the evenings and on weekends?
Yes, appointment times will be available that accommodate workers on all shifts. Saturday appointments will be available at some Ann
Arbor locations.
What if I miss my appointment or need to change it?
You may be able to change your appointment date and/or time based on availability. Simply return to the Wellness Assessment page on
the MHealthy web site and select Sign Up Now. This will take you to the StayWell registration page where you originally scheduled your
appointment. Log in by entering your name and U-M Employee ID number then follow the directions to cancel or reschedule.
How will my cholesterol be checked?
The fingerprick method of blood draw is used. This is easy and fast. You will receive immediate results and an onsite consultation
with a certified health professional. The screener will 'prick' you finger and place the blood sample on the cholesterol machine. The
machine automatically reads the blood and provides results within 10 minutes.
Do I have to fast before taking the assessment?
No, you do not have to fast or change your diet before getting your MHealthy Wellness Assessment. However, we do recommend not eating
or drinking anything but water for at least two hours prior to your appointment time to avoid a temporarily high glucose level.
Do I have to participate in all parts of the wellness screening?
No. You are encouraged to complete all parts of the screening, but if you are uncomfortable with any part of the screening, you may
choose to opt out of that part of the process. Your health questionnaire results will be more accurate if your cholesterol and blood
glucose levels and other measurements are included.
I just went to my health care provider and had my cholesterol tested, can I bring in those values?
If you have had your glucose and cholesterol tested within six months of you screening appointment, you may bring a copy of your
printed lab report to your screening and StayWell will use these results. Please make sure your name, health care providers name and
date are clearly printed on the form in order for StayWell to use these values in place of the on-site measurement. StayWell will do
the other measurements on the day of your appointment.
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Confidentiality
Who is administering the MHealthy Wellness Assessment?
To protect your privacy, the University of Michigan has contracted with StayWell, a national provider of health improvement services,
to administer the health questionnaire, the on-site wellness screening, and the health coaching. StayWell specializes in helping
organizations improve the health and well-being of their employees. Since 1978, StayWell has designed and managed programs for
employers throughout the United States.
Why do I need to provide my U-M Employee ID number?
We have provided StayWell with a list of all faculty and staff members who are eligible to participate in the MHealthy Wellness
Assessment program. Your U-M Employee ID number is required to confirm your eligibility to take advantage of the program, to process
incentives and to link screening data to your health questionnaire.
What happens with the information I provide?
All the information from the MHealthy Wellness Assessment is treated as confidential medical information protected by federal privacy
laws. By agreeing to StayWell's privacy statement when you complete the health questionnaire and sign a consent form, you are allowing
StayWell to view your wellness assessment information and advise you on health improvement strategies. StayWell will not share your
personal results with anyone at the University of Michigan without your permission.
What happens to the results from my MHealthy Wellness Assessment?
You determine what happens with the results from your MHealthy Wellness Assessment. We hope that you will share them with your health
care provider and use them to guide you in your health improvement efforts.
How will my health information be used?
StayWell will use the health information that you provide during the MHealthy Wellness Assessment to advise you on health improvement
strategies. StayWell will provide the University of Michigan only aggregate (group) data, with no personally identifiable information.
This data will be used to help the University better understand the collective health of our faculty and staff community and to assist
us in planning future programs that address the needs of our community.
Do I need to sign a disclaimer or release?
Yes, you will be asked to read and sign StayWell's privacy policy and consent form before completing the health questionnaire or
participating in a wellness screening.
What if I don't agree with the Screening Consent Form or Health Questionnaire privacy statement?
You will need to sign a Screening Consent Form to participate in the screening, and agree to the health questionnaire privacy statement
to participate in the MHealthy Wellness Assessment. If you do not consent, you will not be allowed to participate in the program.
StayWell is required by law to receive employee consent prior to obtaining confidential medical information.
Will I be penalized if I don't participate?
No, participation is voluntary. However, the $100 incentive is only available to those who complete the assessment process.
Will the results of my Wellness Assessment affect my insurance coverage or benefits?
No, the confidentiality of your personal health information is protected by federal HIPAA laws. Your results will not affect your
insurance coverage or benefits nor will they be disclosed to your insurance company or your employer without your permission.
Will future employers discriminate against me if they find something from the assessment?
No, StayWell will not share your assessment results and information with other employers and will only share anonymous aggregate
(group) results with the University of Michigan.
Will any of the information obtained through my Wellness Assessment be shared with my employer/manager?
Your personally identifiable wellness assessment data will not be shared with the University of Michigan, or your manager, nor will it
be added to any U-M faculty or staff files . Data will only be shared in aggregate (group) form to assist the University in future
program planning and to provide programs and services that match the needs and interests of our faculty and staff community.
Will any of the information obtained through my Wellness Assessment be shared with my health care provider?
Your health care provider will only see your wellness assessment information if you share it with him or her, which we encourage you to
do.
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Other
How does the MHealthy Wellness Assessment differ from the fitness assessments offered in 2007?
The fitness assessments only provided information on your fitness level. The MHealthy Wellness Assessments will be an annual program
that not only looks at your fitness or exercise habits, but focuses on all aspects of your health (mental, physical, nutrition, safety,
family history, etc.). The MHealthy Wellness Assessment gives you information about your current health status that you can act on to
prevent health problems before they occur. If you participate in future years, you will be able to compare your current results to
your results from previous years to help you see the progress you are making on your health improvement goals.
I already see my personal health care provider? Why should I participate?
This program is focused on prevention; it provides educational materials, referrals, and personal support with proven results. The
materials and follow-up programs will help you reduce health risk factors and/or better manage certain chronic health conditions in
partnership with your personal health care provider. The information is tailored to each individual's personal needs. Participants
are encouraged to share their report with their health care provider.
How are the wellness assessments being rolled out to all campuses?
Registration for the MHealthy Wellness Assessments will be handled in phases to ensure a smooth registration process for everyone. To
assure that we are able to handle the expected volume or online registrations, we are staggering the release of the emails inviting
members of the campus community to register. Registration will open in December for Ann Arbor, Flint and Dearborn campus faculty and
staff; and in January for Health System, Medical School and School of Nursing faculty and staff.
Why is U-M giving employees a $100 incentive for participation in the MHealthy Wellness Assessment?
If we are going to impact the health of the entire U-M community, we need to achieve high levels of participation. Research has shown
that financial incentives and a supportive workplace are effective ways to do this.
Research has also shown that high participation in wellness programs achieved through the use of incentives also generates cost savings for the organization and its employees. Given these tough economic times, and since the University has been seeing steady increases in health care costs for the last decade, UM has made a long-term commitment to the health and well-being of its faculty and staff to first improve our health, but also to save on health care costs - something that benefits us all.
Can I still participate in the MHealthy Wellness Assessment if I am pregnant?
Yes, you can absolutely participate in the MHealthy Wellness Assessments even if you are pregnant. You may be asked about pregnancy
on the screening consent form and on the Health Questionnaire that you will take prior to your appointment. This will ensure that your
screening results will reflect the fact that you are pregnant.
I already scheduled my wellness screening appointment, but when I try to complete the Health Questionnaire, it doesn't
recognize my user I.D. and password. What should I do?
The information that you input on the StayWell Wellness Screening Appointment Web site is not stored on the StayWell Online Health
Questionnaire Web site. If this is your first visit to the StayWell Online Health Questionnaire Web site, please make sure you register
your account by clicking on the 'Register Now' button in the green-colored box on the left-side of the web page. If this doesn't work,
and you do meet the eligibility criteria for the wellness
assessment, then call the StayWell helpline at 800-926-5455.
What if I don't what to receive the incentive?
Everyone who is eligible for the incentive and completes the health questionnaire and wellness screening will receive the incentive
in their paycheck. If you do not want to receive the incentive, we suggest that you donate the incentive to a charity of your choice.
If you would like your donation to benefit the University, you may want to consider the U-M Hardship Fund, which helps U-M employees
who are having financial difficulties, or one of the Health System's research programs.
How can I print a copy of my Personal Health Report that was reviewed with me at the wellness screening?
To review and print a copy of your personal health questionnaire results from your wellness screening, visit
https://umich.online.staywell.com and log in using the StayWell user ID
and password that you created when you took the online health questionnaire. Hover over Health Questionnaire on the top navigation bar
and click on Your Results Summary. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click on Print Page to print a copy of the report.
I left my Wellness Assessment paperwork at the wellness screening. What should I do?
If you left your pink participant consent form with your screening values on it, please call the StayWell Helpline at 800-926-5455. If
it was turned in, StayWell will mail it to your home. If you left your educational materials and resources, please visit the
Healthy Education Fact Sheets page. Our educational
materials are available for you to print.
My co-worker and I had our screening on the same day, but he/she has already received their $100 incentive in their paycheck
and I did not. When can I expect my incentive payment?
Thank you for participation in the wellness assessments! We apologize for any frustration or confusion that the delay in receiving
your incentive payment may have caused. We have looked into this situation. We understand that there have been a few instances where
an individual had their screening at the same time that a co-worker or friend was participating in their screening. Yet, one of the
individuals received the $100 incentive in their paycheck and the other did not. We have researched this issue and discovered that our
vendor had some processing issues that caused some discrepancies as to when the incentives show up in employee paychecks. We have
worked closely with StayWell to resolve this situation.
The incentive can take up to 60 days after to appear in your paycheck. Assuming that you have completed both the health questionnaire and the wellness screening, and that you meet the eligibility requirements that can be found at http://www.hr.umich.edu/mhealthy/programs/wellness/incentive.html, you should receive your $100 incentive in your next paycheck.
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