Wellness Benefits? Get Tested.
Are you an employee of a company that offers health benefits? Have you been offered a health or wellness screening as incentive for a wellness benefit? Perhaps you’re concerned some of your numbers may not be ideal? Knowing your individual results ahead of your employer’s screening will give you an advantage.
Health Screenings involve a medical professional and obtaining bloodwork to determine a snapshot of your health. Maybe your cholesterol or Body Mass Index (BMI) numbers are too high. Getting this advance scoop gives you an opportunity to improve those numbers. Saving on your insurance premiums is always a win-win. It’s a chance to make a change in those numbers for your health, too. Let’s break this down using some terms we find in this new world of Wellness Benefits and Health Screenings.
What is a wellness benefit?
This is an incentive benefit added to your health benefits. It can come in various forms such as a cash reward in your paycheck after completing several tests and screenings with a medical professional.
What is a health and wellness screening?
A screening is a medical assessment to detect potential diseases or serious health conditions.
What does a wellness blood test check for?
Here’s a broad overview of some of the ABC’s of the wellness and testing lingo involved with a blood test.
- BMI stands for Body Mass Index
This number is an indicator of total body fat based on your height and weight. It is used as a method of screening for weight and obesity that can lead to health problems. For the math nerds that want to know – it is calculated by multiplying your weight in pounds by 704, then dividing by the square of your height in inches.
- Complete Blood Count (CBC)
This test measures the different types of blood cells produced by the body. We need adequate levels of red blood cells (RBCs), the oxygen-carrying part of the blood. White blood cell count (WBCs) can give information on the immune system, including the presence of infection and certain types of cancer.
- Glucose
Sometimes referred to as “blood sugar.” When fasting for 12 hours before testing, a glucose check can be used to determine if you have diabetes (or if you may be at a higher risk for developing the disease). Since glucose is the body’s main source of fuel, eating and digesting carbohydrates forms glucose. Insulin is needed by the body to allow glucose to go into the cells and be used as energy. Without insulin, the levels of glucose in the blood will rise. Diabetes is the result of the pancreas not producing insulin or the body’s reaction to insulin. High levels of glucose indicate a higher risk of developing diabetes, which in turn can increase the chance of heart attack and stroke. Not good for employers or employees, right?
- HbA1c (Glycosylated Hemoglobin)
This blood glucose is attached to hemoglobin – a component of blood. This test reflects the average blood sugar for the previous 2-3 months. A reading of 5.7%-6.4% puts one at increased risk of developing diabetes in the future. And since fasting (a requirement of these health screenings) does not influence the results of this test, knowing this in advance of your Employer’s screening will give you another possible leg-up in making improvements to your own individual health.
Why Get a Wellness Screening?
Healthy employees save themselves and their employers money. Screenings are becoming a very valuable investment for both groups. Being part of a healthy employment pool can get us the lowest insurance premiums possible. And, to be healthy. We can only fix what we know is wrong, right? Employers usually need a certain participation rate in Wellness Screenings in order to have the best insurance rates for the employer and employees like you.
So, whether you are confident you are 100% healthy or have concerns about your health, by getting your own individual health screening ahead of your employers’ screening you can have your health answers and facts first. Then, you can take control and determine next steps.This is why you will want to get tested before your wellness screening.Go ahead, Call Us Now (469) 656-7999 to schedule your test – ahead of your employer’s screening – and you may save money on your health premiums.