As previously communicated, faculty and staff enrolled in TU health benefits are asked to participate in the state of Maryland Wellness Program which became effective January 1st. Each calendar year faculty & staff will be asked to complete healthy activities by a specified date to be eligible for wellness rewards and to avoid a health insurance premium surcharge in the following calendar year.
There has been an update to the 2015 healthy activities which provides more flexibility for faculty and staff in meeting one of the activities. Please see below for more information about the wellness rewards & penalties, the 2015 healthy activities/program update, and Wellness Program resources, including the Wellness Event being held on May 19.
Rewards & Penalties
- Reward – Once you complete the healthy activities by September 30, 2015, your in-network primary care physician (PCP) visits for the remainder of 2015 will be covered WITHOUT a copayment.
- Penalty – If you do not complete the healthy activities by September 30, 2015, you will pay $50 more (or $2.08 more per pay) for medical insurance in 2016. This penalty applies individually to the employee and covered spouse.
2015 Healthy Activities
- Designate a PCP for yourself & spouse (if applicable).
- Complete a health risk assessment (HRA). A HRA is a questionnaire that asks about your age, your diet, how much you exercise, and your alcohol and tobacco use, etc.
- Meet with your PCP to discuss the HRA results, complete the physician verification form and submit it to your medical plan
- UPDATE: Faculty and staff may now designate an out-of-network PCP to complete the physician verification form. The premium surcharge will be waived, but the state of Maryland cannot waive PCP co-pays for regular office visits for the remainder of 2015 as they do for an in-network PCP.
Wellness Program Resources
The following resources are available to help faculty and staff navigate the Wellness Program activities.
- Wellness Event -Tuesday, May 19, 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., in the University Union Potomac Lounge. You will have the opportunity to meet with your medical plan representative on a walk-in basis to ask questions about the Wellness Program, get assistance creating an online account to access the HRA, and receive free blood pressure and glucose screenings. The dental vendors and pharmacy vendor will also participate in the event to promote wellness.
- 2015 Benefits Guide
- Wellness Program website
- Wellness Program FAQs
- Contact the Office of Human Resources, Benefits Unit
