"Time To Choose" takes on a new meaning this year as the Office of Human Resources invites Penn State employees to make wellness-based decisions during the annual open enrollment period.
"Wellness is the keystone of Penn State's medical plans," said Billie S. Willits, associate vice president for Human Resources. "Our approach is to empower Penn State's workforce with resources to design, live and sustain wellness-based lifestyles."
A recent study conducted by the Wellness Councils of America identified nutrition and weight control, physical activity, alcohol abuse, stress and smoking as the top five risk factors facing Penn State's workforce. "Building a healthier workforce is one of the most effective ways to manage health-care costs," said Robin Oswald, employee benefits manager. "Our new initiatives identify leading health risks among the Penn State workforce and allow the Office of Human Resources to implement wellness-based solutions in our medical coverage."
Examples of Penn State's wellness commitment include the addition of tobacco cessation medications to prescription drug formularies, the expansion of the LEARN weight-management program to Commonwealth Campuses and increased promotion of the ValueOptions Employee Assistance Program. These new initiatives supplement Penn State's existing preventive-care coverage built into the HealthAmerica HMO and Penn State Choice health plans. Health Matters, Penn State's employee wellness program, also plans to hold more than 30 flu shot clinics across the Commonwealth.Â
Employees can learn about additional University and community wellness resources by attending the annual Health and Benefits Open House Tuesday, Nov. 7, in Alumni Hall, HUB-Robeson Centerâ University Park. Additional Benefits Open Houses will be held Nov. 8 at the HUB-Robeson Center's Heritage Hall and Nov. 13 at The Penn Stater Conference Center Hotel.
"Time To Choose" begins Wednesday, Nov. 1, and runs through Friday, Nov. 17. All benefits-eligible employees will receive additional information via U.S. mail. Comprehensive information also is available at http://www.ohr.psu.edu/benefits online. Employee Benefits representatives also will travel to all Commonwealth Campuses for employee information sessions. Dates and times appear in the "Time To Choose" materials sent to employee home addresses.
Employees may review current benefit information and update 2007 choices by using the Employee Self-Service Information Center at http://www.ohr.psu.edu/essic online. Employees with questions can e-mail benefits@psu.edu or call (814) 865-1473.