What is the BeWell @ Stanford Employee Incentive Program?
The BeWell @ Stanford Employee Incentive Program is a wellness program put together by the Stanford Health Improvement Program (HIP), Department of Athletics - Physical Education & Recreation (DAPER), and Human Resources to assist Stanford employees in taking steps toward a healthier lifestyle. The goal of the program is to motivate and reward employees for taking action to improve their health. Participation in the program is geared towards benefits-eligible University employees. See the eligibility charts for more detail on who is eligible.
How does the BeWell @ Stanford Employee Incentive Program work?
It has three steps to help you accomplish your wellness and health goals. Please note that all personal information you enter on the BeWell @ Stanford Employee Incentive Program web site is confidential and will not be shared with managers, supervisors, or health plans without your consent. Aggregate data will be used for the purposes outlined in the privacy statement.
- Step 1: Complete an online confidential health risk survey called the Stanford Health and Lifestyle Assessment (SHALA) and receive a $150 (taxable) wellness reward. Taking the time to complete the survey will allow you to identify which healthy lifestyle behaviors you currently engage in, as well as areas for possible improvement. Payments will be processed monthly and included in a regular paycheck.
- Step 2: Create a confidential personal wellness plan online using your SHALA results. This plan will guide you in the development and achievement of your goals for life-long wellness. Once your plan is complete, you are eligible for free/reduced price wellness services in Step 3.
- Step 3: Receive a “BeWell Berry” for every activity below. Collect 5 or more “BeWell Berries” to earn an additional $100 (taxable) wellness reward. This reward will be processed in the month that you complete your 5th BeWell Berry activity. This reward will be included in a regular paycheck. The activities are:
- Fitness Assessment (Free): takes 30 minutes
- Personal Training Sessions (up to 2 free sessions – only one session is needed to earn a “BeWell Berry”): each session is 60 minutes.
- Wellness Workshop (Free): 45 minute interactive workshop.
- 2-part Wellness Coaching ($20): part 1 is a 60 minute one-on-one with a wellness coach and part 2 is a follow-up phone call. This 2-part series is provided by staff trained in behavior modification techniques.
- Healthy Living Class (STAP/fee): all Health Improvement Program (HIP) Healthy Living classes will qualify for a “BeWell Berry”; only one BeWell Berry can be earned by taking a HIP Healthy Living Class.
- Fitness Classes ($20): offered by HIP and/or DAPER; enrollment in one class will earn a “BeWell Berry.” Eligible employees may take more than one class for the reduced fee of $20.
- Well-visit: document your annual physical exam/well-visit with your physician or health professional in 2009.
- Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors: commit to at least 2 of the following for a minimum of 6 months. These may be new behaviors or behaviors you will continue to engage in:
- Avoid tobacco products
- Eat at least 5 servings of vegetables and fruit per day
- Engage in a minimum of 150 minutes of physical activity per week; moderate activity equates to a perceived exertion of 5-6 and vigorous activity equates to 7-8 on a 10 point scale
- Engage in a relaxation activity at least once a week
- Use alternative transportation at least 2 days per week (walk, bike, take train, take bus or carpool)
- Other healthy behavior
Who can participate in the BeWell @ Stanford Employee Incentive Program?
Benefits-eligible University employees can participate in the full spectrum of the program and will receive the monetary wellness rewards and qualify for free or reduced fee health and wellness services according to their participation. Parts of the program are open to any University employee, partner/spouse, family member, retiree or Hospital employee. See the eligibility charts for more detail.
When does the 2009 BeWell @ Stanford Employee Incentive Program start and end?
The program has three steps to help you accomplish your wellness and health goals. It starts on January 1, 2009 and runs through the remainder of the calendar year. Although some of the services are offered throughout the year, individuals must complete activities by November 27, 2009 to receive monetary rewards (to allow for processing time)
- Step 1: January 1, 2009 is the first day you can take SHALA for the current year. November 27, 2009 is the last day to take SHALA to receive the $150 reward for 2009. Payments will be processed monthly and will appear in a regular paycheck.
- Step 2: Individuals can complete the personalized wellness plan starting January 1, 2009, as soon as Step 1 is completed. To be eligible for Step 3 and the additional reward, Step 2 must be completed prior to November 27, 2009.
- Step 3: Step 3 can start as soon as Steps 1 and 2 are completed. Although some of the services are offered throughout the year, individuals must complete at least 5 “BeWell Berry” activities by November 27, 2009 to receive the additional $100 reward.
- Free personal training and fitness assessments begin as soon as Steps 1 and 2 are completed and continue up to winter break (Dec. 21, 2009).
- Wellness Workshops will be held throughout the year; check Step 3 on the web site for specific dates and times.
- Two-part wellness coaching sessions are available through Fall quarter 2009.
- Healthy Living classes are available through Fall quarter 2009.
- Fitness classes are offered through Fall quarter 2009.
- Well-visit with your physician must take place within 2009 calendar year and be documented between January 5 – November 27, 2009 to be counted as a BeWell Berry activity.
- Commitment to Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors must be made prior to November 27, 2009 to be credited as a BeWell Berry activity.
What is SHALA?
SHALA stands for: Stanford Health and Lifestyle Assessment. It is a confidential online health risk assessment that takes about 20 minutes to complete. Immediately upon completion, respondents will receive individualized reports to help them better understand and interpret their results.
SHALA will:
- Help you understand the healthfulness of your current lifestyle behaviors.
- Outline your risk for type II diabetes, cardiovascular disease and other health issues.
- Provide you with health behavior targets to reduce your risk and improve your health.
- Help you assess your readiness for lifestyle change.
- Give you strategies to reach your health goals.
How many times can I take SHALA?
Individuals are encouraged to take SHALA as often as they like to track changes in their lifestyle behaviors. Benefits-eligible University employees who took SHALA in 2008 can re-take it in 2009 and receive another $150 (taxable) wellness reward. Employees can receive only one $150 reward per calendar year.
I took SHALA previously but don’t have a comparison report. Why?
Comparison reports are available only if your previous SHALA was taken at least 30 days before your current SHALA. Comparisons are not made between surveys less than 30 days apart.
When will I receive my rewards?
Benefits-eligible University employees who have taken SHALA between January 1 and November 27, 2009 will receive a $150 (taxable) reward. SHALA rewards will be processed monthly.
Eligible employees who complete at least 5 “BeWell Berry” activities between January 1 and November 27, 2009 as part of Step 3 will receive an additional $100 (taxable) wellness reward. Step 3 rewards will be processed monthly and issued after the 5th BeWell Berry activity is completed.
All rewards will be issued in a regular paycheck under the line item “wellness”. View your pay stub on-line to confirm payment. Contact us at bewell@stanford.edu with questions.
What happens to the information I report on the web site as part of the BeWell @ Stanford Employee Incentive Program?
All information is confidential and will be stored on a secure server within the Stanford University School of Medicine. To learn more about the uses of your data, please consult the privacy statement.
Can my manager, supervisor or health plan see my responses to any online questions?
No. Individuals’ responses will not be shared. Aggregate data may be compiled and used for the purposes stated in the privacy statement.
What is a “BeWell Berry”?
In Step 3 of the BeWell @ Stanford Employee Incentive Program, 8 wellness activities are listed and each activity is called “BeWell Berry.” As you complete each activity, a berry will appear online in Step 3 to indicate your progress.
Does a wellness class or activity completed through my health plan qualify for the rewards?
At this time, only wellness programs and services that are provided on campus through the BeWell @ Stanford Employee Incentive Program (e.g., classes offered by HIP and DAPER) are eligible for the rewards and incentives.
If I take a fitness class or personal training session at my health club does it count towards my “BeWell Berry” activities?
Not at this time.
I took three different Healthy Living classes from HIP. Does this qualify for 3 BeWell Berries?
No. Taking one or more Healthy Living classes counts as one BeWell Berry activity,
I took two different group fitness classes from HIP and DAPER. Does this qualify for 2 BeWell Berries?
No. Any group fitness classes from HIP and/or DAPER count as one BeWell Berry activity.
What group fitness classes are eligible for the reduced fee of $20 as part of the BeWell @ Stanford Employee Incentive Program?
Benefits-eligible University employees who complete Steps 1 and 2 of the BeWell @ Stanford Employee Incentive Program can take group fitness classes for a reduced fee of $20. Most Health Improvement Program (HIP) and Department of Athletics, Physical Education & Recreation (DAPER)’s group fitness classes are eligible for the reduced class fee of $20. Family members of benefits-eligible employees and retirees who complete Steps 1 and 2 can take HIP group fitness classes for $20. Please see class schedules for detailed information at http://hip.stanford.edu or http://suwellness.stanford.edu. Email us at bewell@stanford.edu with questions.
I already practice one or more of the healthy lifestyle behaviors included in the 8th BeWell Berry activity in Step 3. Can I get credit for them?
The goal is for all of us to practice healthy lifestyle behaviors. Individuals get credit for healthy lifestyle behaviors they are already engaging in.
Who can I contact with questions regarding the BeWell @ Stanford Employee Incentive Program?
Contact Jayna Rogers at Health Improvement Program by calling 650-724-7347 or emailing jlrogers@stanford.edu.
For questions specific to the free fitness assessment or personal training sessions, contact Jennifer Sexton in Department of Athletics, Physical Education and Recreation at 650-724-2919 or jbsexton@stanford.edu.
For problems specific to the website, please email employeewellness@lists.stanford.edu.
What if I need to cancel my fitness assessment?
Cancellations must be done online at least 48 hours prior to your fitness assessment. To cancel your appointment, log in to the web site and go to Step 3. Click the link to go to the Fitness Assessments. You will see an option to view or cancel your appointment. Click the cancel button. If you do not have the option to cancel online then you are within 48 hours of your scheduled appointment and have forfeited that session and cannot reschedule.
If you do not cancel your appointment at least 48 hours in advance, you will be counted as a “no show” and will forfeit your opportunity for a free fitness assessment this year and will not be able to earn a “BeWell Berry” for that activity. Fitness assessments are always available for a fee through Department of Athletics, Physical Education, Recreation and Wellness. Click here for details.
What if I need to cancel my personal training session?
Cancellations must be done online at least 48 hours prior to your personal training session. To cancel your appointment, log in to the web site and go to Step 3. Click the link to go to the Personal Training. You will see an option to view or cancel your appointment. Click the cancel button.
If you do not have the option to cancel online then you are within 48 hours of your scheduled appointment and have forfeited that session and cannot reschedule. If you do not cancel your appointment at least 48 hours in advance, you will be counted as a “no show” and will forfeit one of your two free personal training sessions. You will still have an opportunity for one free personal training session and to be eligible to earn a “BeWell Berry” for this activity..
How do I find my Waiver of Liability and Health History forms that I need for my Personal Training and Fitness Assessments?
The forms are attached to your confirmation email. In addition, for your convenience, you can access them here.
What do I do if I answered "yes" to any of the questions on the Health History Form?
There is no set form for your doctor to complete. One option is to have your doctor sign the Health History Form. Another option is to have your doctor write a note or send you an email that it's okay for you to undergo the Fitness Assessment or Personal Training. Please bring the documentation with you to your Fitness Assessment or Personal Training session.
How can I correct/update my account information, such as email, employeeID, employment type, account type?
Click here to update your profile. You need to log in first.
