New deadline, other changes for Go for the Gold program
Go for the Gold, Vanderbilt's annual program designed to help faculty and staff learn their health risks and support risk reduction, has a deadline for completion of Oct. 31, a month earlier than last year.
The program has been revamped a bit, said Lori Rolando, M.D., MPH, medical director for Health Plus.
“The wellness credit money is now deposited in a Health Plan Account on your behalf. This helps pay your deductible (the amount you pay before the health plan starts paying) and coinsurance (the percent you pay for medical expenses after meeting your deductible).”
The account is managed by Aetna or BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, based on your chosen health plan option. When you have a doctor's visit, the doctor sends the bill to Aetna or BlueCross, the carrier then processes the claim and if you have an amount due, that amount will be paid from your Vanderbilt Health Plan Account first.
No action is needed to use the account. It will happen automatically and will help with expenses for you or any dependent you cover on the Vanderbilt Health Plan. Also, your Health Plan Account balance will rollover to the following year, as long as you remain enrolled in the Vanderbilt Health Plan and you participate in Go for the Gold for that year.
It will continue rolling over from year-to-year until you reach the maximum rollover amount of $1,000. If you switch health plans the Health Plan Account balance will move with your new election.
Read the Wellness Credit Quick Facts on the Health Plus website at http://healthplus.vanderbilt.edu for more specifics or call 343-8943 for assistance. You can also find an informative podcast interview on the Health Plus homepage.
“This year we also have a new, earlier deadline of Oct. 31, so we are encouraging everyone to get started by visiting the Health Plus website,” said Rolando.
There, the following steps need to be completed:
• Complete your yearly Health Risk Assessment to learn your health risks.
• Complete the Wellness Actions Log that is new and more challenging. Staff and faculty who visit the Wellness Actions Log will be able to start choosing actions to improve or maintain good health.
• Watch the new Game Plan for Your Health video about maintaining a healthy weight, called Eat. Move. Feel.
To check your current Go for the Gold status, go to the Health & Wellness Information Portal at http://myhealthandwellness.vanderbilt.edu.
All benefits-eligible faculty and staff can complete the Go for the Gold program, and faculty and staff who elect and pay for the Vanderbilt Health Plan benefits in 2011 are also eligible for a wellness credit of up to $240.