wellness > health exam and biometric screening

Health Exam and Biometric Screening

Frequently Asked Questions

What are biometrics? They are measurements of your cholesterol, triglycerides and glucose that are obtained with a simple blood test, usually during a health exam.

Why do I need a health exam? It's important to know your height, weight, and blood pressure. These measurements are taken during a health exam. Combined with your biometrics, they create a complete picture of your overall health.

Is this required to receive a $200 gift card? Yes. You will not be able to achieve the required 200 points without the 75 points available for completing a health exam and biometric screening. Remember, forms submitted after Sept. 30, 2012 will not be eligible for points.

Why should I know my numbers? Heart disease, stroke, diabetes are the most common and costly of all health problems, as well as leading causes of death and disability. Measuring your cholesterol, triglycerides, glucose, blood pressure, height and weight can accurately gauge your risk for these and other illnesses and health conditions. Keeping your values within a healthy range can help you maintain and even improve your health.

How often should I get a health exam and biometric screening? Your plan's Preventive Health Care Benefits table (active) (retired) shows how often you should get a health exam and biometric screening.

If I had a recent exam with blood work, do I need to do it again? It depends on the date of the exam and lab work. For employees, spouses and domestic partners, the cutoff date is June 1, 2011. For dependent children ages 19-25, the cutoff date is June 1, 2009. If you had an exam and biometric screening on or after the applicable cutoff date, you do not need a more recent exam and screening. However, you must complete, sign and fax the Biometric Screening Form by Sept. 30, 2012 to qualify.

Why does Carpenters want to know my biometric information? Carpenters wants you, the participant, to know and track your biometric information. That's why it's part of the Carpenters Rewards program. The Carpenters Wellness Program does not receive biometric information at the individual level. AT the end of the incentive program, the Trust will receive a group report that summarizes results. This summary identifies health trends so the Trust can better understand the needs of plan participants. Your individual results cannot be identified in the summary report.

What are you going to do with my information? With your permission, your exam results and biometric information will be uploaded to your personal profile on the EmbodyHealth website (www.CarpentersHealth.org). The information will be used to personalize the site and guide you to information, features and programs to help you improve your health. For example, your information will be preloaded in your upcoming Mayo Clinic Health Assessment so you receive the most accurate snapshot of your overall health.

Does my doctor have to sign and fax my form? No. You can complete, sign and fax the Biometric Screening Form yourself if you have the lab slip from your most biometric screening.

Who is Vivacity? Vivacity is a new partner in the Carpenters Wellness Program. The company specializes in wellness programs and is assisting with the collection and transfer of biometric information to EmbodyHealth.

Why do I need to fax the form and lab slip? These documents verify your biometric information so you are eligible for Carpenters Rewards points. Your signature is required to upload your information to your EmbodyHealth profile and Mayo Clinic Health Assessment. Do not fax the form to the Trust Office. Documents should be faxed to Vivacity (our wellness partner) at: 425-918-5075 or toll free 1-877-657-4183.

What is a lab slip? Also known as a lab report, it is the document given to you by your physician or lab that verifies the date of your biometric screening and your lab values. Specifically, it must include the following:

  1. LDL cholesterol

  2. HDL cholesterol

  3. Triglycerides

  4. Total cholesterol

  5. Glucose

Blood pressure (systolic and diastolic), height and weight are not normally measured with blood-related lab work, so it is possible that these values do not appear on your lab slip or report. If they are missing, please provide the most accurate values possible on the Biometric Screening Form.

How do I know if they received my fax? To confirm whether your fax was received, send an email to ctww@vivacity.net. Include your full name and date of birth in the body of the email. Vivacity will respond to your confirmation request within 2 business days. If you selected Option B on the Biometric Screening Form, you might also consider following up with your physician's office to make sure it was faxed.

When do I get my points? Log on to EmbodyHealth (www.CarpentersHealth.org) and click Rewards to see your points. If your Biometric Screening Form is faxed by Aug. 31, 2012, points should appear in early September. Otherwise, points will appear in early October. Remember, forms submitted after Sept. 30, 2012 will not be eligible for points.