Glossary

Ability to transmit, communicate and support any number of insurance and health plan companies within an employer’s population. Most employers of any size have more than one insurance option for their employees.

A fat-like substance that is made by the body and is found naturally in animal foods such as meat, fish, poultry, eggs, and dairy products. When cholesterol levels are too high, some of the cholesterol is deposited on the walls of the blood vessels. Over time, the deposits can build up causing the blood vessels to narrow and blood flow to decrease.

A set of data from the same participants year over year. With cohort data, we can analyze year to year changes in a given population. For Example, although 30,000 people participate in BFW screenings as QD employees, only 15,000 will be a part of a cohort group. Those are the ones who participated last year as well.

A type of employer-sponsored health plan that has a high deductible and personal Health Savings Account that is managed by the consumer. Any remaining money is carried over from year to year if not used. Coverage for preventive care is 100%. Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Health Reimbursement Accounts (HRAs) are two types of CDHPs.

A narrowing of the small blood vessels that supply blood and oxygen to the heart.

Disease that affects the body’s ability to produce or use insulin. If you have high glucose levels with a fasting glucose panel, you may have diabetes. Diabetes is broken down into 2 types. Type 1 is considered Child Onset diabetes and impacts people from birth. Type 2 is considered Adult Onset diabetes and develops over time.

Procedure which gives a rapid, convenient and/or inexpensive indication of whether a patient has a certain disease.

A system of coordinated health care interventions and communications for populations with conditions in which patient self-care efforts are significant; usually those with high or the potential of high medical claims. The Case Manager supports the physician or practitioner/patient relationship and plan of care; emphasizes prevention of exacerbations and complications utilizing evidence-based practice guidelines and patient empowerment strategies; and evaluates clinical, humanistic, and economic outcomes on an on-going basis with the goal of improving overall health.

An organized mental health program or service offered by employers to employees and/or families. They are usually brief, face-to-face, interventions facilitated by professional counselors. Typical problems include alcohol/drug abuse, divorce recovery, work-related conflicts, financial difficulties, and parenting.

The cost for medical care that the employee pays themselves, like a co-payment, coinsurance, or deductible.

An aggregate report that is provided to the employer. This does not contain identified or personal health information, but does contain information on the population as a whole.

The cost the employer pays for healthcare for the employees.

The health care coverage one receives.

The evidence-based practice of providing employees with personalized, one-on-one support to help them permanently change risky behaviors. Coaches empower participants with a sense of personal responsibility and self-sufficiency; they help clients overcome obstacles and develop a personal wellness vision. When participants are given the opportunity to tap into their own resources, needs and goals, they create results that are important to them and more readily strive toward healthier behaviors. The end result is improved lifestyle for them and reduced healthcare costs for their employers. The confidential sessions are typically brief telephonic interactions over a prescribed period of time. Health coaches often have a background in a health/wellness-related field, but more importantly are trained in specific coaching skills designed to elicit best thinking from their clients.

An open house designed to provide specific populations with health/wellness information and/or services. The main focus is usually to provide educational materials and/or deliver specific Health Screenings.

The science and art of helping people change their lifestyle to move toward optimal health. Optimal health/wellness is holistic and defined as a balance of physical, emotional, social, spiritual, and intellectual health. Lifestyle change can be facilitated through a combination of efforts to enhance awareness, change behavior and create environments that support good health practices. Synonymous with “Worksite Wellness.”

The total health score of a participant in a wellness program based on mathematical calculations from the data. For Blueprint for Wellness, risk factors are taken into consideration. A participant answers some questions, and has additional data input from lab results and physical measurements. These values are run through an algorithm and an individual score is determined.

A class of paper and pencil instruments, or web-based surveys that assess an individual’s relative risk of disease, injury or death based on specific lifestyle behaviors and biometric factors (e.g., blood pressure; cholesterol; height and weight). The computer generates confidential reports for individuals, and group aggregate summaries or corporate reports for Health Promotion practitioners. They often provide a total health score, and an individual’s chronological age compared with a current and achievable health age.

Tests or procedures designed to identify persons who would not otherwise be identified. They include many specific laboratory tests, body scans, or procedures that are usually priced to accommodate large volumes of people. Health screens often identify individuals who may need more comprehensive diagnostic testing. Examples of screens include blood tests for cholesterol and glucose, blood pressure checks, bone density scans, hearing tests, height and weight, etc.

An individual whose single or combination of lifestyle habits and health risks exceeds the average health risk of someone the same age and sex. The focus in Health Promotion is to identify these people early and help them avoid the probability of disease, injury or death. Examples of risky lifestyle habits include not exercising, poor diet, smoking, obesity, stress, or having lifestyle-related conditions like high blood pressure, high cholesterol or diabetes.

An anticipated positive reward designed to influence the behavior and/or performance of individuals or groups. Health Promotion or Worksite Wellness incentives typically include cash or savings/ rewards imbedded within the insurance design. A well-designed incentive can dramatically increase program participation.

A place where scientific research, analysis and experiments are conducted.

Tests conducted in the laboratory where the appropriate equipment, supplies, and certified expertise are available.

Any system that manages healthcare delivery with the aim of controlling costs.

A complete record of all medical claims within a certain population. This data can be stratified according to specific parameters, such as by disease-state, most costly, age, sex, etc.

Physician-directed medical care including orders, advice and review.

This syndrome is a group of metabolic risk factors that exist in one person. Some of the underlying causes of this syndrome that give rise to the metabolic risk factors include being overweight or obese; having insulin resistance; being physically inactive; and genetic factors. Metabolic syndrome is a serious health condition. People with it have a higher risk of diseases related to fatty buildups in artery walls. Coronary heart disease, which can lead to heart attack,is an example. Stroke and peripheral vascular disease are other examples.People with the metabolic syndrome are also more likely to develop type 2 diabetes.

An excess of body fat that frequently results in a significant impairment of health.

The science of designing, implementing and evaluating comprehensive health and safety programs that maintain and enhance employee health, improve safety and increase productivity in the workplace.

A personalized wellness report and scoring system delivered to participants in a wellness program. Highlighting focus areas, areas of improvement and test explanations and ranges.

Something that increases a person's chances of developing a disease.

The process of discovering risks based on screenings, HRA questionnaires, and lifestyle choices.

Sedentary lifestyle refers to people who do not engage in moderate-intensity physical activity for at least 30 minutes on 5 or more days of the week.

Data reported by the participant for various health related questions.

A health care process that fosters awareness and attitudes toward health lifestyles so that individuals can make informed choices to achieve optimum physical and mental health.

A collection of healthy or wellness-related ideas, customs, beliefs, norms, values, peer support, or policies that guide thoughts and behaviors within a specific organization. A “wellness culture” is believed to be one of the keys to successful Wellness programming.

An organized program intended to assist employees/retirees and families in making voluntary behavior changes that reduce health risks and enhance their individual productivity. Synonymous with “Health Promotion.”