Dear Colleagues,
I need your help today--right now.
We have less than 48 hours to meet our goal of 65% participation in the Portico/Mayo Clinic Health Assessment. If for some reason you or your spouse have not yet completed this simple online health self-monitoring tool, then I ask you to do so for three reasons:
1) I care about your health and well-being. Research proves that when we take responsibility for our own health and well-being, particularly by engaging in activities that provide self-accountability and preventative strategies, we are more likely to make healthy choices about our physical, emotional, and spiritual health.
2) I care about our financial stewardship as a synod. If we make this goal, our congregations will save 2% across the board on our healthcare premiums--a savings of about $48,000. In the past two years alone, we have let more than $140,000 slip through our fingers by not meeting this reasonable benchmark. I do not believe it is faithful stewardship to leave money on the table that could have helped further the mission and ministry of our congregations and contributed to the health and well-being of our rostered leaders.
3) I want to provide health and wellness opportunities for you. If we reach our 65% participation goal, our synod will receive a rebate of approximately $24,000. This will enable us to host a wellness retreat and provide other health-related incentives and programs in our synod.
I have heard many reasons given for why some of you choose not to participate in this assessment. Some of you are ideologically opposed to Portico using incentive strategies. Others are concerned about confidentiality issues, despite Portico's promise that information is reported under an anonymity blind that protects anyone from using your personal health information. I think mostly it is just a matter of not thinking about it at the right time, when it is convenient and letting the deadline slip by. Remember, too, that if your spouse is covered he or she needs to take the assessment.
We are the closest we've ever been to meeting this goal. Last year we missed the mark by only 16 people. All we need this year is for a handful of Portico Health Plan members to complete the assessment. Our synod staff is on board at 100%. Our churchwide offices have met their requirement, saving more than $100,000. Gettysburg Seminary has also met its goal.
Please help us all to be better stewards of our health and our resources. Included below are direct links for you to use and answers to some frequently asked questions. Thank you for your ministry, your faithful service, and your willingness to help with this important effort.
Yours in Christ,
+ James S. Dunlop, Bishop
LINKS for the Health Assessment:
https://myportico.porticobenefits.org/Campaign/GO_ELCAPrimary2014.aspx (This link will take you to the Portico information page. Here you'll find out how to earn up to $500/person or $1,000/couple in wellness dollar credits.)
https://www20.mayoclinicembodyhealth.com/index.cfm?redirect=1 (This link takes you to the Mayo Clinic sign in page for the assessment. If you have not established a Mayo Clinic Wellness account, you will need to include this step in the process. Thanks for doing this!)
If you have trouble at any point with this process, please call our office or Portico Benefits for help. We do not want to let technical difficulties prevent you from completing the assessment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I don't know the information asked? You will be able to respond "I don't know." It is not necessary to have exact numbers.
What about my privacy? The health assessment is confidential. Individualized personal health information you provide while taking the health assessment is not shared with Portico, synod offices, congregational officers, or employers.
What are Wellness Dollars? Wellness Dollars are earned by taking the Portico Health Assessment and (if you desire) completing additional and easy wellness activities. These dollars are deposited into your Portico Wellness account in the form of a debit card or check reimbursement. You earn $150 for completing the Health Assessment and $350 for completing the wellness activities. Your spouse, if covered, is also able to earn this amount.
What if I'm retired or 65 years old? If you are on Medicare and/or retired, you may take the health assessment, but you do not count toward our 65% total needed, nor may you earn the wellness dollars. We encourage you to take the assessment as a tool to manage your own health and wellness.
What if I am covered on another person's non-Portico plan? You will not be able to take the assessment and will not count toward the 65% total. However, if you are a rostered leader, you will be invited to attend the wellness retreat if we make our goal and to participate in other synod wellness initiatives. We encourage you to be active in self-care and to encourage your colleagues who are eligible to participate.
What if I have technical trouble accessing or completing the assessment? Please call our offices immediately for assistance or call Portico. We want to make sure you are able to complete the assessment and are here to help.
