Changes made to county’s health incentives
Reviewing the program rewards (to impact 2020 insurance coverage), it was noted that there will be an additional voluntary option this year to have spouses of county employees participate -- with the idea that having multiple members of the same household involved will encourage more regular participation in the wellness activities.
Given that a number of those spouses may be covered by the county's insurance along with the regular employees, the idea was floated to potentially make that participation a requirement -- considering they all factor into the county's health insurance rates. For the current year, though, it will strictly be a voluntary option.
Wording within the program was also highlighted, as it was pointed out that participation and completion of the program enables county employees to earn a "financial incentive" toward health insurance offered by
"In the future, if we remain with a plan like we have now, yes, the financial incentive will likely be a premium discount," said
Most of the discussion, however, centered on the changing points system. The wellness team evaluates the activities included in the Healthy Harvey rewards program each year and makes adjustments. This year, the majority of adjustments happened to be a decreased points value in several of the activities (i.e. vaccinations, mandatory physical, blood donations, tobacco-free lifestyle, etc.).
One of the few activities that saw an increased points value was participation in a diabetes prevention program -- which jumped from 15 to 30 points -- due to the extended time commitment (being a 16-plus week program).
Some wellness team members felt the changes were too drastic, though, especially -- as Planning and Zoning Director
"If our point is to get people to change their behavior, I don't think this is it," Bell said.
"We give a
Previously, Swartzendruber said it was possible for employees to get their physical, flu shot and a short regimen of intense exercise and have accrued their 100 points within a month. That is not the goal, as he pointed out that doesn't change behaviors or build healthier individuals.
As promoting healthier habits is the goal, the commissioners were on board with the changes, adopting the 2020 wellness points and verification program for Healthy Harvey Rewards -- a program, it was noted, that is voluntary and intended to stay that way.
"You're not making it mandatory. You're not making it invasive at all. I think it's a really good thing to try to focus on prevention," said wellness team member and
"I support it for the simple fact that it is not a mandatory program; it's a voluntary program," said commission chair
In other business, the county commission:
* Reviewed the new agenda format and the portal commissioners, citizens and other interested parties can use to receive the agenda, make an open records request, review archived minutes and more.
* Learned of a listening session the
* Was presented with an agenda for the county in-service training planned for
* Heard about a new potential funding source for bridge construction and repairs through the
* Received an invitation to the RSVP fall appreciation day, which will be held from
* Learned that the health department was the recipient of an
* Was informed that the 2018 tax foreclosure sale has been scheduled for
* Held a hearing for solid waste fee delinquencies, with no public comments made.
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* Gave the go-ahead for Redington to proceed in pursuing multiple grants for opioid prevention.
* Received and accepted a year-end outcomes report from
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