The challenge will run from May 29 to June 25. In this challenge you will choose between two teams to register with — ‘Northside Cubs‘ or ‘Southside White Sox‘. You can register with your chosen team on the wellness portal beginning May 22. As your team achieves their steps, see how far you travel — logging the distance between seven iconic baseball stadiums across the United States! All participants that individually record at least 200,000 steps by the end of the challenge will earn 25 points towards their incentive!
Steps can be reported manually, or you can report your progress by syncing your activity tracking device, such as a Fitbit or Garmin. To sync your device, click on Settings at the top of the homepage, then select Authorize Device in the left menu bar and follow the prompts to have your steps data automatically reported for the challenge (If you synced your device for a previous challenge or goal, your device will already be connected).*For those using an Apple device to track steps, you can download the Asset Health Mobile app and sync up your device for step tracking.
Registration is required in order to participate in this challenge. You can register beginning on May 22. To register for the challenge, log in to your wellness portal at RiversideHealthcare.org/REACH. Select the Challenge tab at the top of the homepage and follow the prompts. The last day to register is June 4.
Keep your eye out for weekly emails with tips and motivation to help you make the most of the challenge. Be sure to explore your wellness portal as well for resources and tools to keep you going.
Login Instructions for First-Time Users:
Username: first name + last name (johnsmith)
Password: date of birth (mmddyyyy)
You will be asked to change your password after logging in.Returning Website Users: Sign in using the username and password you’ve already established.
The Mental Health Bargain of a Homegrown Garden
Preparing for the first sprout of spring may help shield us from those pesky winter blues. Much like the perks of planning for our mental wellbeing, garden planning can encourage a futuristic mindset that can help release some of the layered stress we are all undoubtedly experiencing.
In addition to the enjoyment we might get from planning for our springtime spread (while the winter winds howl at our window), gardening itself provides a bounty of benefits for both our mental and physical wellbeing:
Not to mention, the healthy eating bonus – growing your own produce organically without the sometimescostly price tag!
OPTUMRx
OptumRx convenient home delivery program makes it easy to get your maintenance medications securely and privately delivered to your home (maintenance medications are medications you fill on an ongoing regular basis).
Optum’s network is large and includes the major retail pharmacy chains like CVS and Walgreens, so you have plenty of options to fill your non-maintenance medications. Use Optum’s drug pricing tool to shop for the lowest cost.
Home delivery will be required for maintenance medication in 2024, so now is the time to get it set up. As an extra incentive, we will be drawing two names in June to win $50 Amazon gift card.
Home delivery is safe and reliable, and you get:
It’s easy to sign up and start saving. Just choose one of the options below:
Call the toll-free number on your member ID card to speak to a customer service advocate.
WIM Lunch & Learn
Mental Health Month May 26
Register by emailing Laura Hogan at [email protected]. Don’t forget to report your Healthy Habit Points for attending on the REACH portal!
Employee Wellness Department Key Dates
Complete all Level 1 incentive requirements by June 30 for a chance to win a Fitbit!
Riverside Health is updating their REACH Program so that only participants that see an RMG Provider will be eligible to earn the Level 2 and 3 financial incentives. All participants are eligible for Level 1 regardless of provider, however if they do not see an RMG provider for their annual well visit they will not be able to complete Level 2 and Level 3. On the newly updated physician form there is a location for the physician to write their name and select whether or not they are an RMG provider.
Employees and spouses may earn a health insurance premium credit by completing their Level 1 activities. Additionally, to receive premium credit, employees are offered a $100 financial incentive!
To complete Level 1, benefit eligible employees and spouses must complete the following activities:
Employee Wellness Department Key Dates
Don’t forget to schedule your routine dental cleanings! These earn you Healthy Habit Points towards your REACH Level 3 goals.
More than 36% of adults don’t see their dentist all year. When you schedule a dental checkup, you don’t waste your benefits. That’s just one of three great reasons to get a checkup!
Delta Dental information provided on the Benefit Information page (InforESS) for details about our dental plans. Go to www.DeltaDentalIL.com to find a provider, view your benefits, order another ID card, and more.
Eat The Rainbow REACH Challenge
Increase the amount of colorful produce you eat with the Eat the Rainbow Challenge. The challenge ends on March 12 but you can record your servings through March 19. Remember, to successfully complete the challenge and earn 25 points, log 75 servings throughout the challenge.
Update to Your REACH Program RMG Provider Information – Change to Level 2 and 3
In order to earn your Level 2 and 3 incentives, you must visit an RMG provider. All participants are eligible for Level 1. Our updated physician form will include a place for the physician to write their name and select if they are an RMG provider.
Early Bird Deadline Challenge – A Chance to Win a Fitbit
Complete all Level 1 incentive requirements by June 30, 2023 to be entered into a raffle for a chance to win an Apple Watch. Level 1 requirements include: complete your 2023 Participation Consent Form, complete your Health Risk Assessment, and upload your Well Visit Form with REACH lab measures.
Employee Wellness Department Key Dates
Early Bird Deadline: June 30
How to Earn Healthy Habit Points
Healthy Habit Points can be added throughout the year by self-reporting under Healthy Habits Tab for your preventive screenings/lifestyle coaching/financial, social, or mental wellness. You can also gain Healthy Habit Points by taking courses or connecting a fitness device automatically! A total of 120 Healthy Habit Points is required for Level 3 by Dec. 15, 2023.
How to Save on Prescription Medications
With ever increasing prescription costs, medication expenses can be hard to manage. Below are some ideas that may help make your medications more affordable.
Generic Medications: Using generic medications can provide significant cost savings. Ask your provider or pharmacist if there is a generic treatment option available and if it is appropriate for you.
Different Medication Choice: Oftentimes, there is more than one medication option to treat the same condition. If it seems your cost is high, ask your pharmacist if there are any alternatives you can suggest to your provider. Don’t be afraid to ask questions – your provider wants to prescribe the best option for you, but sometimes, there is more than one – and it may be worth it to ask.
Different Pharmacies: Out-of-pocket costs of medications are very important to know. OptumRx has an online tool that tells you how much your prescription costs and helps you shop around for the lowest price at different pharmacies in your area.
Coupon Savings: There are many discount programs you can find online that may provide cost savings compared to the out-of-pocket prices. There are a number of websites out there, CommunityCaresRX.com, WellRX.com, and GoodRX.com are a few. Or go to Google and search coupons using the name of your medication and dosage. Coupons aren’t available for all medications and not all coupons will apply toward your deductible and out of pocket amounts on your medical plan.
Patient Assistance Programs: Many drug manufacturers offer Patient Assistance Programs. The most reliable way to find if financial assistance is available is through the manufacturer’s website (you may find the name of a drug’s manufacturer during your Google search).
Don’t Skip Important Medications!
The most important thing you can do for your health is to stay on track with your necessary medications. While it is tempting to skip doses, or just forego filling a prescription altogether, this will often result in worsening your illness or condition. Ultimately, going untreated or under-treated can lead to far more serious and expensive health care outcomes, such as hospitalizations, more prescription medications, missed work days and an overall lack of well-being. Keep up with your daily medications, and always ask your provider before stopping medications. Take advantage of preventive appointments and annual well-check appointments. Communicate with your pharmacist and provider to make sure you understand why you are taking each medication. We want you to have the best possible health outcomes. Be an advocate for your own health by working with your pharmacist and provider to find the most affordable and effective solutions together.
Level 2 & Level 3 Updates
The REACH program is committed to ensuring the best wellness outcomes for participants.
New in 2023, participants must see an RMG Provider for their Annual Well Visit to participate in REACH Level 2 and Level 3. This change is aimed at ensuring all participants receive high-quality health care through the Riverside Medical Group and service lines.
Additionally, the practice will support improving the outcome of participants as the REACH program moves towards integration with EPIC in 2023, streamlining the enrollment and tracking of evidence-based programs required for Level 2 outcome participation. All participants will still be eligible to participate in Level 1 with their choice of provider.
Click here for a list of Riverside’s Primary Care Providers.