Introducing Healthy Steps
The Arc of Washington County is pleased to offer Healthy Steps in collaboration with Peak Health. This voluntary program for employees enrolled in health insurance sponsored by The Arc WC provides nurse-administered health evaluations and wellness education to help you adopt and maintain a healthy lifestyle. You will have the opportunity to complete an online Health Assessment, obtain regular labs (blood-work), and be regularly evaluated by a board certified RN (registered nurse). Your assigned RN will review your medical information with you, help you to establish realistic and attainable health goals, and assign a “health phase” to you. As you work toward improving your health and reaching wellness goals, you can advance to higher phases of the program. Peak Health’s highly qualified and board-certified RNs are continually updated on the latest clinical care guidelines and resources available to you through The Arc of Washington County’s benefits and well-being options.
In 2023, the credit will be based on your participating and you will be classified in one of five phases. In 2024, your efforts to reduce health risks and reach target health goals will determine your incentive level and amount of wellness credits. Participants can earn up to $30 per paycheck – up to $780 a year!
Feel Better and Get Rewarded
To continue earning wellness credits each pay-period, you must remain active in the Healthy Steps program by attending regular nurse visits based on your health status (every 4, 8, or 12 months). Peak Health will keep you updated on all program appointments and deadlines.
You are not required to complete an annual adult routine wellness exam or participate in the Healthy Steps program. However, only enrolled employees who choose to participate in this wellness program will receive the Wellness Credit. You may not be discriminated against in employment because of your participation in this program, nor may you be subjected to retaliation if you choose not to participate. Aetna and Peak Health may use the information from your wellness plan participation to provide you with information to help you better understand your current health and potential risks. Additionally, Aetna may use the information to offer you services such as Health Coaching and Disease Management. Aetna and Peak Health may provide The Arc WC with aggregate, or summary, data so that we may evaluate our current wellness initiatives and plan future wellness initiatives.
2024 Healthy Steps program flyer (PDF)
2024 Healthy Steps Program Guide (PDF)
Preparing for Your Peak Health Nurse Appointment (PDF)
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How do I register for Healthy Steps?
Answer: If you are an employee of The Arc WC, you will receive an email invitation from Peak Health (the company that administers the Healthy Steps program) inviting you to participate in Healthy Steps and providing registration instructions. The email will be sent to your personal email account, or whatever email address is on file for you on our benefits administration platform. The current 8-page Healthy Steps Program Guide will be sent with the email. If you can’t find your invitation from Peak Health, and you are currently enrolled in a medical plan with The Arc WC, visit the Peak Health portal at peak-health.net/wellness. Your username is “WC” (for Washington County) followed by your four-digit employee PIN. For example, “WC1234.” Use your personal email address when asked to provide an email. Once you complete the online health assessment and get your lab work done, Peak Health will schedule your nurse visit. You can reschedule the visit if needed. For more information, be sure to check out the Program Guide.
Q2: Will it cost me anything to get lab work done? Where do I go to get it done?
Answer: The lab work you need can be completed at no cost to you by downloading and printing the Lab Order Form from your Peak Health portal, and bringing it to your LabCorp appointment. To find a LabCorp location near you and schedule an appointment, go online to labcorp.com or call 1-888-LABCORP. Note: there is a LabCorp location on Opal Ct. in Hagerstown. If a LabCorp location is not near you or you need help getting your Lab Order Form, please email Peak Health lab support. Your lab results will be available on the Peak Health portal.
Q3: I just had labs done by my own healthcare provider (or maybe I just prefer going to my own provider). Can I use labs from my own provider?
Answer: You may choose to have your healthcare provider do the blood test. Please ensure tests meet the program guidelines – check with Peak Health if you are unsure. Payment to the provider is your responsibility, although your health insurance may cover some of the cost. Please forward lab results to Peak Health prior to your nurse appointment. You may also upload your provider’s lab results to the Peak Health Portal by clicking on “Upload Completed Form” under MD Lab Results.
Q4: After completing my health assessment and labs, I tried to schedule my nurse appointment. The link did not work. How do I schedule my appointment?
Answer: Peak Health will automatically schedule your nurse appointment within 2 to 3 weeks of receiving both your health assessment and labs. If the appointment they make doesn’t suit your schedule, you can reschedule it by using the Nurse Visit and Lab Results box in the portal or by calling/emailing Peak Health. Peak Health will provide you with a reminder email and a reminder phone call in advance of the appointment. Please don’t just ignore the appointment if it doesn’t work for you, or else Peak Health will consider you a no show and may charge The Arc for the visit you missed.
Q5: What does Peak Health tell The Arc WC about my health information?
Answer: Nothing, except that you completed the requirements for your wellness credit. Peak Health does not share any of your health information with us.
Q6: What kind of paperwork do I need to bring to HR to prove that I earned my wellness credit?
Answer: Nothing. Peak Health will let us know who has earned the credit.
Q7: How is the Wellness Credit reflected on my paycheck?
Answer: The Wellness Credit is taxable earnings and will show up in your earnings as “Healthy St.”
Q8: Where will my nurse appointment take place and how should I prepare?
Answer: Your nurse appointment will be held in a private office located at 838 Florida Avenue (the Daybreak building) that has been especially set aside for use by the Peak Health Nurse. Please arrive at your appointment wearing the appropriate clothing (shorts, T-shirt, etc.) to perform a seated bike test and to have your waist circumference measured. The nurse must be able to access your waist and measure directly over your skin at the site of your belly button. Please do not wear long sleeves, tights, or shapewear (e.g., SPANX®). Plan to arrive early to your appointment if you need to change clothes. Your heart rate, blood pressure, waist circumference, and weight will also be measured during your appointment. If this is your first appointment, it will take approximately one hour; follow-up appointments are scheduled for 30 minutes. When you receive your appointment notification email from Peak Health, you will also receive a 6-page guide “Preparing for Your Peak Health Nurse Appointment.”
Q9: Will I be paid for my time during the nurse appointment or while at the lab?
Answer: No. As with other personal medical appointments, you should not be clocked in during your nurse visit or while obtaining lab work.
If you still have questions regarding The Arc WC’s wellness incentive program, contact Janis Williamson, HR Specialist, by phone (extension 2236) or by email.
Last updated: February 16, 2024