Not Everyone Speak Wellness Jargon

Here are some terms to get you started

ADA Compliance or American Disabilities Act

Wellness program objectives, restrictions and incentives should be designed to account for an employee’s disability. Although disabled employees may pose a higher health risk, their health should be assessed in terms of appropriate measures, given their disability. These include waivers and alternative measurements for those with disabilities.

Biometrics or Biometric Data

Biometrics includes measurements such as height, weight, blood pressure, and blood chemistry. As part of our start up assessment service we include a full 32 panel blood chemistry which includes the following tests:

Chronic Disease

Chronic disease includes heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes and arthritis, and are among the most common, costly and preventable of all health problems in the U.S. Four modifiable health risk behaviors – lack of physical activity, poor nutrition, tobacco use and excessive alcohol consumption – are responsible for much of the illness, suffering and early death related to chronic diseases. In 2005, 133 million Americans – almost one out of every two adults – had at least one chronic illness.

Community Rating

Community rating, as a basis for premium calculation, is fundamentally different from the usual method of determining insurance premiums, i.e. risk rating. In a risk rated insurance market, an insurer calculates the premium payable by a potential policy holder in order to enter into an insurance contract on the basis of various factors particular to that individual, such as the risk of a claim occurring, and the value of any such claims during the term of an insurance policy. In a community rated market, the insurer may not calculate premium on the basis of the risk factors attaching to the particular person wishing to purchase an insurance contract, but rather the risk factors applying to all persons within the market as a whole. Thus, in a community rated market, the insurer evaluates the risk factors of market population, and not those of any one person when calculating premiums. This is sometimes also referred to as Guaranteed issue. In other words it requires insurers to issue insurance to any eligible applicant without regard to health status or other case characteristics. In Colorado, all employers with fewer than 50 employees in are community rated plans, except the extremely young and healthy populations that can get underwritten for partially self-funded plans.

Fitness Assessment

The fitness assessment measures cardio-respiratory fitness, strength, flexibility and body composition. We utilize the three-minute step test, sit-up test, push-up test and sit-and-reach test to determine an employee’s general fitness. We also utilize skin calipers and a waist-to-hip ratio to determine body composition.

Health Care Footprint

The health care footprint encompasses health insurance premiums, absenteeism, presenteeism, productivity, morale and disability claims. Treatment only represents 20% of the economic burden associated with chronic disease.

HIPAA

The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) is a set of national standards designed to protect personal health information.

Presenteeism

Presenteeism is defined as lost productivity that occurs when employees come to work but perform below par due to any kind of illness. These individuals who experience illness or low morale, or exhibit a poor attitude contribute to productivity losses at work. In a 1999 study sponsored by the Employers Health Coalition, researchers calculated that the costs of lost productivity are 7.5 times greater than costs due to absenteeism. For example, presenteeism due to chronic conditions such as migraines, allergies and back pain can add up to 15, 20 or even 30 times the costs of absenteeism.

Safeway Amendment

The Safeway Amendment is an amendment to the health care reform bill that allows businesses to incentivize healthy lifestyles in the manner of Safeway’s voluntary “Healthy Measures” program. These measures allow organizations to discount health premiums 20 to 50% based on whether employees meet certain health criteria.

Self-Funded or Partially Self-Funded Insurance Plans

Self funding is an approach many large corporations use to control health care costs. Self funding is now within reach for groups of as few as 10 individuals. Self-funded insurance protects your business from larger-than-expected claims while also offering you the chance to get back the funds you do not use each year. These programs tend to be richer than traditional fully insured plans and pair nicely with 360 Wellness Solutions offerings. We have several partners who can aid you in setting up these types of insurance plans.

WELCOA

The Wellness Council of America is predicated on improving the health and well-being of working Americans throughout the United States. WELCOA believes health care costs are an issue of significant concern and that a healthy workforce is essential to America's continued growth and prosperity. They believe that much of the illness in the U.S. is directly preventable, that the workplace is an ideal setting to address health and well-being, and that workplace wellness programs can transform corporate culture and change lives. WELCOA focuses on creating resources that promote healthier lifestyles for all working Americans. 360 Wellness Solutions has incorporated WELCOA’s seven benchmarks into its five-step process.

Well City Initiative

Well City USA is a national program of the Wellness Councils of America (WELCOA). It is a community-wide initiative that encourages employers to develop work site wellness programs that meet the standards of excellence as defined by the Well Workplace Model. Only nine communities in the US have received this designation, and our goal is to make Fort Collins the 10th Well City! To achieve a Well City USA designation, at least 20%of the community’s workforce (with a minimum of 20 companies) must be employed by a Well Workplace Award winning company. Fort Collins, Loveland and Greeley are all seeking the Well City designation.

Wellness

Wellness is an intentional choice of a lifestyle characterized by personal responsibility, moderation and maximum personal enhancement of physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health.

SMART Goals

Goals that are Specific, Measurable, Attainable or Achievable, Results oriented, and Time bound.