Bravo Turns 5!
Bravo Wellness has reached another milestone! On October 1, we celebrated our 5 year anniversary. Since 2008, Bravo Wellness has changed the landscape of what an outcomes-based wellness incentive plan can provide. We thrive on developing flexible options that drive participation and encourage real behavior change. With rapid growth for our company and incredible results for our customers, Bravo Wellness is truly excited for the future of our business.
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Upcoming Webinars
Due to the great response we received from our last webinar series, entitled the "Impacts of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) on Wellness Plans", Bravo Wellness will continue to host presentations on a monthly basis. This month, these webinars will be directed exclusively towards clients and will continue to provide educational material on the ACA and other compliance issues. Additionally, we will address some frequently asked questions that surface as we continue to implement hundreds of unique designs, highlight some of our recommended best practices, and will occasionally invite a featured client to co-present alongside Jim Pshock, our Founder and CEO. Stay tuned for more information!
To register for our upcoming webinars, or to view past presentations, click here.
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Are You Ready for January 1st?
Although it seems so far away, the next 3 months will fly by. As a reminder, employers who offer health-contingent outcomes-based wellness incentive programs must have the following in place by January 1, 2014:
- Tools and resources, clearly communicated and disclosed, to help participants reach their health goals
- Completion of a smoking cessation program as a reasonable alternative for tobacco use
Consider a solution from one of our health improvement providers:
Mayo Clinic EmbodyHealth portal and health resources are designed to empower people with the information, tools and support they need to take charge of their health. Resources include health assessments, online behavior change programs, disease and condition education, and coaching.
QuitLogix offers a telephonic and web-based program to individuals who are ready to quit smoking or are thinking about quitting. Coaches and representatives are available 7 days a week along with assessment tools for an enhanced level of motivation, text messaging programs, mobile apps and educational materials.
Time is quickly running out. Don't be left without an action plan. Let Bravo consult with you to determine what program(s) would work best for your team. Contact your Client Account Manager or sales representative to discuss your strategy.
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Congratulations to Veridian!
In last month's issue, we accidentally misspelled the name of our client. We truly regret this error and want to extend our congratulations again to Veridian Credit Union for achieving the Gold Well Workplace status from Wellness Council of America (WELCOA).
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Do wellness programs and wellness incentives work?
By: Jim Pshock, Founder & CEO
I'm sure you read the title of this editorial and, knowing the name of our company, you have a strong inclination that I'm going to say "Of course they do!", right? Well the sad truth of the matter is that they may not. Even when a particular company demonstrates great results, it doesn't mean that their program will work at your company. In the same light, programs that failed elsewhere may exceed all of your expectations. Although the answer to this "simple" question seems like it should be straight forward, the honest truth is "it depends."
Read More...
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Graco Receives Honorable Mention for C. Everett Koop Award
 Graco Inc.'s commitment to the health, wellness, and wallets of their employee population earned them the recognition of a near top recognition, as a 2013 honorable mention recipient for the C. Everett Koop National Health Award. With the tradition of awarding programs with demonstrated health improvements, coupled with cost savings, the C. Everett Koop Award has been instrumental in promoting the measurement and evaluation of evidence-based, workplace health promotion programs. Graco's Wellness and Safety Manager, Kim Beck, received the award at this year's HERO Forum, held in Orlando, Florida last week. Bravo's Founder and CEO, Jim Pshock co-facilitated a workshop at the Forum with Kim, walking participants through Graco's wellness journey over the past five years. Bravo is incredibly excited and proud to be part of Graco's solution, as their results are truly stunning. Refer to Jim's editorial this month for more details on how they did it. Bravo Graco! |
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ACA Update
Health insurance exchanges, created under the Affordable Care Act, are open for enrollment. For employee populations that are non-benefits eligible, they can go to www.healthcare.gov to receive information about how to enroll for coverage through his/her state's exchange.
If you are a small business, it's important to note that Small Business Health Option Program (SHOP), the small business version of the exchange marketplace, is yet to be available online due to technical problems; not related to the government shutdown on October 1st. Applicants still can enroll by mail, fax or phone. This delay is expected to last one month.
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Blood Draw - What Clients Need to Know...
 A few months ago, a participant attended their health screening but later that same day, experienced bruising and pain around the needle insertion point from the blood draw. The participant immediately went to their HR manager to complain. "The examiner was too rough. They stuck me 10 times with the needle. My health screening was a horrible experience." These are complaints that we hear from time to time but it is important to realize that bruising, redness, pain and soreness are common after a blood draw. It is also important to know that 99% of Bravo's health screenings have no complaints. In fact, we have a 97% participant satisfaction rate! Nonetheless we take all comments seriously and will ensure that screeners adhere to professional standards and a code of conduct. Below are some additional things you should know: - If first attempt to draw blood is unsuccessful, the examiner can attempt one more time if approved by the participant. If the second draw is unsuccessful, the examiner must bring in a supervisor or lead examiner with approval from participant to attempt a third attempt. Butterfly needles are available for any participants that request or for use in the case of a hard stick.
- If the participant's results and/or lab value falls outside of clinically accepted normal ranges, potentially signaling health risk, we will send an overnight notification to the participant advising them to consult with their personal healthcare provider.
- If you haven't already, share with your participants the Blood Draw Tips & Precautions. The most important tip on this info sheet can help avoid some of those complaints - and that is to keep hydrated in order to increase the blood flow for a more accurate blood panel.
Our screening coordinators are happy to answer any questions you might have as you prepare for your annual health screening. And remember.....stay hydrated!
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