• LiveWell Personal Health Assessment Questions
• LiveWell HRA Questions
• LiveWell Quit For Life® Questions
• LiveWell Condition Management Questions
• LiveWell NutriSum Questions
• NutriTeam Questions

LiveWell Personal Health Assessment Questions

Should I complete the personal health assessment if I’m already healthy?

Definitely. Although genetics and environment play important roles in your health, your habits and behaviors cannot only affect the way you feel today, they can also contribute to a longer, healthier life. So even if you feel great, taking the PHA may uncover valuable information that can help you enjoy even better health.

How often can I submit a personal health assessment?

You and your spouse or same sex domestic partner may each complete and submit a PHA once a year, if you like. Taking the PHA each year allows you to track your progress from year to year. Each year, there will be an opportunity to take the PHA and receive an incentive.

Is my privacy protected?

Yes. Any information you supply is completely confidential, protected by federal law, and cannot be shared with the Sound Health & Wellness Trust or your employer without your permission.

Based on your answers to the questions in the PHA, you may be contacted by phone or mail to participate in a number of other voluntary LiveWell programs that are relevant to your situation and health status. For example, you may be contacted about a quit smoking program, a health coaching program to work on a particular area of concern such as exercise or nutrition, or a program to help manage a chronic condition such as diabetes.

Please be aware that information on your health status and health conditions is shared only with the independent service providers that manage the LiveWell programs and is not shared with the Trust or your employer. By law, this information cannot be used to determine or deny health care coverage.

How do I take the personal health assessment?

The fastest way is online. If you are not already logged in, you will be asked to log in to MySoundHealth. If you do not yet have a user name and password, or if you’ve forgotten your password , see the bullets at the bottom of the log in box and click on “Forgot your password?” or “Haven’t registered?”. Once you’ve logged on, simply follow the instructions to complete your assessment. When you’ve finished, click “Submit,” and your personal plan will be displayed online in just a few moments.

If you don’t have web access, call (877) 362-9969, option 3, to request a paper PHA.

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LiveWell HRA (Health Reimbursement Arrangement) Questions

Will I receive a debit card to use for my health reimbursement arrangement (HRA)?

Though many HRA programs use a debit card, your LiveWell HRA does not require one. The Trust handles all the paperwork affiliated with your LiveWell HRA. Bank of America will not be sending out debit cards to Sound Health & Wellness participants.

Who do I contact with questions about my HRA?

Bank of America administers the LiveWell HRA. They have recently implemented a new, dedicated toll-free number to more efficiently handle Sound Health & Wellness Trust participant questions. Call 1-888-590-SHWT (7498) Monday – Friday, 5:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Pacific Time if you have any questions about your HRA.

What is the purpose of the HRA and how does it benefit me?

The LiveWell HRA gives participants extra funds to provide first dollar coverage for the majority of their medical care expenses. Not until you have exhausted your HRA funds will you have to pay your deductible. Having an HRA can help you become more aware of the true cost of health care and empower you with greater control over your own health care spending. Also, any unused funds roll over to the next year.

How does my health reimbursement arrangement work?

Each year, each employee receives a Trust-funded health reimbursement arrangement account—$500 for those with employee-only coverage and $1,000 for those with family coverage. These funds are used to cover the first eligible medical expenses covered by the plan in each calendar year. Now when you receive medical services for which you used to have to pay for part or all of the cost, the bill will be submitted to your medical plan, then it will go directly to your LiveWell HRA for automatic payment—with no claim forms, bills or hassles for you. You will receive a monthly statement from Bank of America with account activity and your balance.

Does Bank of America receive my medical information? What information do they receive?

Bank of America receives only basic claims data needed to make payments from your HRA on your behalf, including (but not limited to) patient name, subscriber and dependent identifying numbers, date of service, type of service, provider name, and amount eligible for HRA payment.

What is covered under the HRA?

HRA funds are used to cover eligible medical expenses for such things as your doctor office visits, lab tests, x-rays, emergency room co-pays, in-network co-insurance or other eligible, covered medical expenses. For SoundPlus participants, out-of-network benefits are also covered.

What is not covered under the HRA?

The HRA will not be used for prescription, dental or vision benefits. For Sound plan participants, the HRA will not be used for out-of-network benefits. The LiveWell HRA will not be used for in network provider preventive care like wellness visits and mammograms that are already covered in full through LiveWell Prevention @ 100%. The deductible is not covered by the HRA either. However, you will only have to pay the deductible once your HRA is exhausted.

How is the HRA administered?

When you go to a medical care provider, the provider sends a claim to your health plan. The Trust will first apply any payable benefits to the HRA and then automatically send a claim to the HRA for payment. At this point, if you have adequate money in your fund, your LiveWell HRA will pay your doctor for your claim. If the HRA is used up, then the plan will pay its portion of the bill after the deductible is met.

What should I do if I think a mistake was made and something was paid or denied on my HRA account?

Contact Bank of America, the LiveWell HRA administrator. Call 1-888-590-SHWT (7498) Monday – Friday, 5:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. Pacific Time.

Are non covered benefits eligible to be paid by the HRA?

No, only covered medical benefits can be paid by the HRA.

If I don’t use my HRA this year, does it carry over into next year?

Yes. Unused funds in a calendar year are rolled over into the next year as long as you keep working for a participating employer and maintain your benefit eligibility status. (The amounts rolled over may be lower if you are a participant for less than the full year). So the better you manage your health and cost of health services this year, the more money you’ll have left in your HRA to roll over to next year.

Who funds the HRA account?

Sound Health & Wellness Trust funds each participant’s HRA.

My EOB shows HRA/deductible. How can I tell if it’s deductible or was covered by my HRA?

On your Explanation of Benefits (EOB) statements from Sound Health & Wellness Trust, you will see an “HRA/deductible” amount that includes your deductible plus your HRA amount. Your LiveWell HRA automatically pays for the first $500 (for employee only) or $1,000 (for families) before any covered expenses are applied to your deductible.

If you have employee only coverage under the Sound Plan, and your medical deductible was $250 before, it now appears on your Explanation of Benefits (EOB) as $750 ($250 deductible + $500 HRA). Your LiveWell HRA will automatically cover the first $500 in covered medical expenses. You are responsible for paying $250.

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LiveWell Quit For Life® Questions

How does the LiveWell Quit For Life® Program work?

Once you are enrolled, your Quit Coach will help you develop a personalized quit plan. The Quit Coach will also determine whether nicotine patches, gum, or prescription medication will be helpful for you during the quit process.

You then receive a series of self-paced Quit Guides to implement your personal quit plan (with guidance from the Quit Coach).

Participants who smoke cigarettes also receive a Welcome email with a password to Web Coach, Free & Clear’s interactive web site. With Web Coach, you can:

• Track your progress and further track your personalized quit plan.
• Interact with others who are trying to quit and with Quit Coach Moderators on the discussion forums. Peer support is a key factor in success.
• Receive coaching emails between calls with tips on quitting and reminders to help you stay on track.

Who is eligible for the program?

The LiveWell Quit For Life Program is available to all Sound Health & Wellness Trust participants and covered spouses or same sex domestic partners 18 years of age or older.

How much does it cost to participate in the LiveWell Quit For Life Program?

We are committed to helping our participants become free of tobacco, so we are fully subsidizing the cost of the LiveWell Quit For Life Program. Participants pay nothing for the program. Even the cost of nicotine patches or gum is fully covered. If you and your Quit Coach or doctor decide you should use a prescription medication instead of patches or gum, contact the Trust Office to find out what’s covered under your prescription drug benefit and what your co-payment would be.

Why is the Trust subsidizing this program?

We believe quitting tobacco is an important step to improve the health of our participants. The health benefits of quitting tobacco start almost immediately and continue for a lifetime. On average, people who don’t use tobacco have lower medical expenses than those who do. Our participants will enjoy better health, live longer and save money on healthcare.

What about other forms of tobacco besides cigarettes?

The Quit For Life Program is tailored to the needs of the participants. Whatever the tobacco type—cigarettes, cigars, pipes or even smokeless tobacco—LiveWell’s intensely trained Quit Coaches will work with participants to design an effective quit plan.

Is there evidence that the Quit For Life Program works?

Free & Clear, which administers the LiveWell Quit For Life Program, has helped more than 125,000 people successfully quit tobacco. In fact, Free & Clear’s quit rate is more than twice as high as the standard established by the U.S. Public Health Service and more than eight times as high as quitting “cold turkey.”

The program was first validated in 1989 through a randomized clinical trial funded by the National Cancer Institute and the University of North Carolina. The study demonstrated that the combination of self-help materials and telephone counseling boosted quit rates by 50 percent. The program has continued to conduct large, randomized trials to prove its methods and effectiveness over the years and has also received six consecutive awards from America’s Health Insurance Plans (AHIP) for achievements in tobacco control initiatives.

Is participation in the Quit For Life Program confidential?

Yes. Participation is completely confidential. Free & Clear will not share personal health information with the Trustees, your union or your employer.

How does someone enroll in the Quit For Life Program?

Enrollment is easy—call 1.866.QUIT.4.LIFE (866.784.8454) or go to http://www.quitnow.net/soundhealthwellness/ to get started. A registration specialist will verify your eligibility to enroll and transfer you to a Quit Coach for an initial intervention.

Can I enroll again if I start using tobacco again?

Yes. We recognize that it often takes several attempts to quit tobacco for good, and that participants may start using tobacco again during the program. Participants are able to repeat the program a second time if necessary.

What are the hours for the Support Line?

You can call the toll-free Support Line anytime you need additional information or support. The line is staffed by expert Quit Coaches from 5 a.m. – 12 a.m.

How long does the program last?

The calls we make to you are typically completed within two to six months, depending on how quickly you move through the process of quitting. However, the Quit Coaches will help you establish your new tobacco-free lifestyle and provide you with ongoing support for up to 12 months after you enroll.

What if I miss my phone call from the Quit Coach?

Please call us back at a convenient time for you. Studies have shown that the more calls you complete with a Quit Coach, the more success you will have in quitting tobacco. Call 1-866-QUIT-4-LIFE (866-784-844).

What if I don’t have an email address?

Participants who smoke cigarettes need an email address to experience the benefit of Web Coach. If you choose to set up an email account, you will then get access to the web site. Even if you don’t use Web Coach, you will still get all scheduled calls with a Quit Coach.

Do I have to attend classes?

No. All of your counseling sessions take place over the telephone. This means you don’t have to try to find time for classes or trips to someone’s office. And, you can talk to a Quit Coach any day of the week – even Saturday or Sunday.

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LiveWell Condition Management Questions

• Download a printable version of these Q&As

What is LiveWell Condition Management?

Condition Management is part of Sound Health & Wellness Trust’s LiveWell program that can help you manage specific chronic conditions. This free, confidential, and voluntary program offers an innovative, comprehensive approach to chronic condition management by striking a good balance between self-care and professional help. Participants work one-on-one with a specially trained personal nurse advocate—via telephone —in the comfort of their homes. They gain greater confidence in managing their disease or condition, and as a result, improve their health. You are eligible if you are covered by the SoundPlus or Sound Plan and have been diagnosed with certain conditions.

How does the Condition Management program work?

It is easy to enroll in the LiveWell Condition Management program. Here’s how it works:

1. If you have a certain medical condition—such as diabetes, asthma, congestive heart failure, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or coronary artery disease—you will be invited to participate in the LiveWell Condition Management program.
2. If you are interested in enrolling, you will be evaluated by a personal nurse advocate. The nurse will perform an initial assessment to determine how you are currently caring for yourself and your condition, your readiness to change health and lifestyle behaviors, other medical concerns, medications and general health status.
3. A personal nurse advocate will then work with you to develop a personal plan. That plan identifies critical behaviors and lifestyle changes to help you better control your medical condition and improve your health.
4. You will receive ongoing telephone counseling and educational materials to support behavior changes and increase your understanding of your condition. Your progress with your personal plan is periodically reevaluated and revised by your personal nurse advocate.

Do I have to participate in the program if I don’t want to?

No, the LiveWell Condition Management programs are voluntary and strictly confidential.

What chronic conditions does the LiveWell Condition Management program cover?

The LiveWell Condition Management program manages asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), coronary artery disease (CAD), congestive heart failure and diabetes.

How can the LiveWell Condition Management program benefit me if I’m already working with my doctor?

Managing a chronic condition requires ongoing education and support. If your doctor has diagnosed you with a chronic condition, your personal nurse advocate can answer your questions, educate you about self-care techniques and help you make lifestyle changes for maximum health and quality of life. The counseling support provided by your personal nurse advocate is meant to supplement, but does not replace, your doctor’s advice.

What are some reasonable outcomes I can expect from participating in the LiveWell Condition Management program?

LiveWell Condition Management program participants understand their conditions better, increase their ability to follow their physician-directed treatment plans, and reduce the amount of unnecessary care they receive. They also take a more active role in their health care, become better at using self-care techniques and improve their overall health.

How does the LiveWell Condition Management program work with the LiveWell Nurse Line Plus?

The LiveWell Condition Management provides intensive counseling support to participants who have certain chronic conditions, whereas the LiveWell Nurse Line Plus provides information on almost any health care, administrative, or advocacy concern you may have. Individuals with chronic conditions are likely to require more involved medical care and benefit from intensive contact with a personal nurse advocate. So turn to the LiveWell Condition Management program for a chronic condition, but call the LiveWell Nurse Line Plus to find out how to handle a sore throat or a sprained ankle. Together, these two great LiveWell programs have you covered!

How do I participate?

You will receive a letter and follow-up phone call from LiveWell inviting you to participate. The invitation is based on your medical claims and your Personal Health Assessment. Or you can self enroll.

Who is eligible for the program?

Programs are available for employees and their covered spouses/partners enrolled in the health plans. No dependent children are eligible.

How long does the LiveWell Condition Management program last?

This will vary person to person. Our goal is make sure you understand your condition, treatment plan, options and how to avoid complications. Your understanding and how your condition is presently managed will determine the length of time you will be in the program.

If I participate in the LiveWell Condition Management program is there any incentive?

Sound Health & Wellness Trust will deposit $30 per month into your Health Reimbursement Account, up to $270, that can be used for a variety of health care expenses.

Is there a maximum period of time that I can receive the incentive?

If you are actively participating in the program, you can continue to receive the incentive until you have reached the maximum of $270 per year. You may continue to participate in the program, without receiving the incentive, after you have reached the $270 maximum based on your program goals with your nurse advocate.

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LiveWell NutriSum Questions

What is LiveWell NutriSum?

LiveWell NutriSum is a weight management program that focuses on changing eating patterns and exercise. In the long term, this combination leads to permanent weight loss.

The program will help you lose fat weight so you look better, feel better, and fit in your clothes better. And it’s a way to reduce your risk of heart disease, diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, osteoporosis, and some forms of cancer. The initial phase of the program — where you learn and practice the habits you’ll need to achieve a healthy weight for life — is 13-weeks. The following 9-months help the habits you’ve developed become a part of you for life.

Is LiveWell NutriSum a diet?

No. Diets don’t last a lifetime. The Trust chose this program to help you change your eating patterns and maintain weight loss for good. There are no special foods, meal plans, or restrictions in LiveWell NutriSum.

How is LiveWell NutriSum different from other weight loss programs?

The goal of LiveWell NutriSum is to help you keep off the weight you lose for a lifetime. People can lose weight on just about any diet, but the weight always comes back... unless you make a commitment to a new lifestyle. Although the first 13 weeks are just a start, the habits you’ll learn and practice should last for the rest of your life.

How does the program work?

LiveWell NutriSum helps you lose weight and keep it off by permanently changing your eating and activity patterns.

Participants record their progress in three simple steps. Keeping track of your progress is almost as important as your daily exercise and eating patterns. Writing down your accomplishments reinforces your habits and helps you build on each day’s progress.

1. Enter your weight for the day (weigh yourself the same time each day).
2. Write your total exercise minutes for the day and use a highlighter to shade in the total minutes on the bar graph.
3. Record your LiveWell NutriSum eating habit points each day (there are five point areas).

You earn one LiveWell NutriSum point for doing the following every day:

1. Eat breakfast within 2 hours of rising.
2. Eat at least 3 servings of whole grains.
3. Have a minimum of 5 produce servings (at least 3 should be vegetables).
4. Drink 5 or more 8 oz glasses of water.
5. Avoid eating after dinner or within 2 hours before going to bed.

Your goal is to earn 30 or more points a week. While there’s more to a healthy diet, LiveWell NutriSum limits the program to these five habits because they’re the ones- in addition to daily exercise- consistently seen in people who have lost weight and kept it off for years.

What are Personal Points?

After 4 weeks, you’ll find that some LiveWell NutriSum habits are easy for you and don’t require a conscious effort to maintain. When this happens, feel free to track another healthy eating challenge such as adding more calcium or a vegetable serving. Remember, you’re not replacing the original habit; you’re simply tracking a new personal challenge instead.

How much exercise is involved?

For maximum fat burning, you’ll work your way up to 60 minutes or more of daily exercise. At first this goal may seem impossible, but at least if you try and fall short you’ll be working out more than normal.

Do I have to do a specific exercise?

Any activity that elevates the heart rate and can be sustained for 30 minutes or more will work. Try walking first. Almost everyone can do it and all you need are shoes. Start with as many minutes as you can, but always remember your goal of 60 minutes per day.

How hard do I have to exercise?

Can you talk to your friend while you exercise? If you can comfortably carry on a conversation, but can’t sing, you’re on track. The most important thing is to make an effort every day.

What happens if I miss a day?

You’ll just pick up where you left off the next day. Life happens. When there are rare days when you can’t meet all of your LiveWell NutriSum goals don’t get discouraged. Pick up again the next day.

Should I visit a doctor before starting this program?

If you’re more than 70 pounds (32 kilograms) overweight, you may have special needs that require working directly with your healthcare professionals. Check with them before undertaking any significant lifestyle changes (no matter what your current weight).

Is it possible to lose weight through exercise alone?

Exercise alone can help many people maintain a healthy weight. But if you’re more than 10 pounds (5 kilograms) overweight, it’s likely you’ll also have to make changes in your eating patterns to lose the weight and keep it off.

Can I lose weight through diet alone?

Sure, but don’t be sad when the weight comes back. LiveWell NutriSum helps you build habits to make weight loss permanent.

Should I avoid carbs?

No. Carbohydrates are your body’s preferred energy source — don’t deprive it. With LiveWell NutriSum, you’ll be eating “good carbs” (i.e. whole grains) and limiting the refined carbs (i.e. white bread) that lead to weight gain.

Is this a competition?

No. But it is a serious commitment. The results you’re looking for — a healthy weight for a lifetime — don’t come easily. Be sure to review How to Know if You’re Ready for NutriSum to decide whether it’s the right time for you to make this commitment.

What is a reasonable weight loss goal in a week?

Aim for .5 to 2 pounds (1/4 to 1 kilogram) a week. Some weeks you’ll lose 3 pounds and others you won’t lose any, but as you follow the 13-week program you can expect to average a half pound to 2 pounds weekly.

Why does LiveWell NutriSum recommend weighing every day?

Weighing yourself every day reminds you that it’s normal for your weight to fluctuate. Your goal is to notice the overall trend. Data from the National Weight Control Registry shows that individuals who weigh themselves regularly are less likely to regain weight they’ve lost than people who weigh themselves infrequently. Weigh yourself once a day, at the same time and on the same scale.

Can my exercise be spaced throughout the day or do I need to block off a large chunk of time?

Any exercise — whether it’s 5 minutes or 55 minutes — helps burn calories and contribute to a healthy weight. But LiveWell NutriSum requires you work toward setting aside 60 minutes or more a day so you can exercise continuously for maximum fat burning. If you haven’t exercised in a while you may need to aim for 30-minute sessions twice a day to start.

Remember the last time you woke up and planned on ‘fitting in’ your workout sometime that day? Did it get pushed off the schedule for more important activities? We schedule time for just about everything else in our day. Make a point to schedule in exercise as well.

There aren’t 260 days left in the year, can I still join NutriSum?

Participants who register for NutriSum before December 26, 2010 will be able to log progress and earn rewards up to the 260-day $100 gift card incentive.

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NutriTeam Questions

What is NutriTeam?

NutriTeam is a 10-week weight loss competition. Participants compete on teams of four or more by logging their daily nutrition and exercise habits in the LiveWell NutriSum™ program.

When does NutriTeam begin?

Registration for NutriTeam is July 26 – August 15. The team competition is from August 16 – October 25, 2010.

How do I create a team?

1. Register for LiveWell NutriSum™ by logging in at www.soundhealthwellness.com and clicking “About LiveWell” then “NutriSum”.
2. Complete your registration and begin recording your progress the Monday after you register.
3. Log in to your NutriSum page, and select the “Team” tab located in the blue navigation bar at the top of the page next to the “Ask the RD” tab.
4. Create your team by following the directions below:

On the team page you’ll see a welcome message explaining that you will need to create a team with four or more participants and that you have a chance to win a cash prize. To start a team, choose a team name in the box below the welcome message. Then enter a motto if you like. To invite teammates, click on the “Create Team” button.

Type in the email addresses of any Sound Health & Wellness Trust participant, spouses or same-sex domestic partners you’d like to join your team. Your future teammates do not have to be enrolled in NutriSum to be invited, but they will have to register for the program to join your team.

How does a team win?

The winning team will earn the highest score based on:

• Average NutriSum points
• Average exercise minutes
• Average weight loss

What does the winning team receive?

The winning team will receive $250 to be shared among the teammates.

What are NutriSum points?

Each day participants will try to earn five NutriSum points. You receive one point for:

• Eating breakfast
• Eating 3 servings of whole grains
• Eating 5 servings of produce
• Drinking 5 8oz glasses of water
• Not eating two hours before going to bed

Where do I track my NutriSum points?

Participants log on to their personal NutriSum page each day to track their NutriSum points, exercise minutes, and weight loss. After logging in on the Sound Health & Wellness Trust web site, go to the NutriSum page and click on the “Log Your Progress” link. Once the NutriSum window opens you can click on the “Record” tab to fill in the worksheet.

How do I accept a team invitation?

If you receive an invitation to join a NutriTeam and you are not registered on the Sound Health & Wellness Trust website, create a username and password at www.soundhealthwellness.com by clicking on the “register” button. Once you log in on the Sound Health web site, you can click on any of the NutriSum program notices throughout the site or you can click on “About LiveWell” and then “LiveWell NutriSum” to go to the NutriSum page.

You can learn more about the program by clicking on the link from the email as well. Once you’re registered for LiveWell NutriSum you’ll be able to accept the team invitation and begin competing.

How many people can be on my team?

The minimum number of participants required to make up a team is four, including you. There is no maximum number of people you can have on a team.

Will my teammates see my weight?

No, no one will be able to see your actual weight, only the amount of weight you lose. Also, your personal health information is protected by federal law. The Trustees, your union or your employer can not see any of your personal health information..

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