Eligible UNMC and UMA employees have one last opportunity to participate in the SimplyWell wellness program. A final health fair has been scheduled from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. in Private Dining Room C on Wednesday, Jan. 14.
To participate in the program, UNMC and UMA employees must be at least .5 FTE and must be enrolled in the UNMC Blue Cross/Blue Shield medical insurance plan.
Eligible employees may sign-up for the program by clicking here to download the sign-up card. Participants should print out the card, fill out the appropriate portion and fax it to the SimplyWell office at 552-3266. Participants then will receive a Personal Wellness Profile to confirm their participation.
Those participants should fill out the profile – and fast during the 12 hours immediately prior to the health fair — before attending the Jan. 14 health fair. When at the health fair, it takes about 7 to 10 minutes to complete the health screenings.
Jayme Nekuda, manager of Health Promotion at UNMC, said there’s been some confusion that the cost of the health screenings will be taken out of the preventive care segment of an employee’s health insurance. This is not the case, she said.
“The program is absolutely free to employees, and it could end up saving them a lot of money, if the screenings detect an illness or condition that has yet to reveal symptoms to the participant,” Nekuda said. “It’s a win-win situation for participants.”
Nekuda said UNMC officials are reviewing some tangible incentives that could be given to employees who participate in the program and practice health behaviors. Details on those incentives should be finalized in the next few weeks, she said.
At the screenings, SimplyWell personnel measure participants’ blood pressure, height and weight, as well as draw a blood lab for a lipid profile, blood sugar and a complete blood cell count to check for anemia and infection. Participants of the health fairs need to fast – eat or drink nothing – for 12 hours before the lab draw. Participants should continue to take any prescribed medications with a small sip of water. If participants have any medical conditions, such as diabetes, that may be effected by fasting, they should consult their physician before doing so.
With questions, call the SimplyWell office at 559-6786 or e-mail your question to info@simplywell.com.