Human Resources and the University Benefits Committee regularly review best practices to ensure wellness programming is effective and impactful. Over the past few years, Drake has been following a trend away from employer-sponsored on-site biometric screenings in favor of annual physical exams with a primary care provider. This trend was prompted by research suggesting that annual biometric screenings, without corresponding physician consultation, do not effectively impact wellness outcomes.
While biometric screenings identify some indicators of health risks, there is no follow-up to identify whether an employee with a potential health risk went to a physician for treatment. Biometric screenings are also limited in scope while annual physicals cover a wider array of physical and mental health conditions.
With an annual physical, employees are more likely to develop a doctor-patient relationship. The physician can review health history and medications. Employees will receive age and gender specific physical exams, and recommended preventative screenings will be scheduled. And when a health concern is found, the doctor will treat it and schedule follow-up appointments if necessary.
For these reasons, the University Benefits Committee and Human Resources are considering wellness program changes for 2021. For those wishing to participate in the wellness program and receive the reduced premium for the 2021 plan year, an annual well-check with a primary care doctor would need to be completed between January 1, 2020 and November 30, 2020. While the on-campus UnityPoint screening and Hy-Vee screening option would no longer be available, on-campus voluntary screenings by the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences would continue to be available for those who value periodic assessments of biometric information.
One key consideration in assessing this change, is making sure there are ample resources for those who wish to participate but do not currently have a primary care physician. Human Resources will develop additional resources for this purpose. The University Benefits Committee and Human Resources welcome input regarding this change. You may send comments or questions to hr@drake.edu between now and December 11th. Watch for additional communications about these changes in January, 2020.
— Linda Feiden, Human Resources
