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My Risks

What Are My Health Risks?

If you're enrolled in a state-sponsored medical plan through the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB), you can get immediate feedback on your health by completing a simple questionnaire called a health assessment that takes about 20 minutes. In many cases, your medical plan or health care provider offers programs designed to help you deal with whatever health challenges the health assessment reveals. Your employer does not see any of your specific health assessment information about you as an individual. For more information, check out our:

Health Assessment Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I take a health assessment?

You will receive valuable feedback about your health and your risk factors for chronic diseases such as diabetes or heart disease. You will also learn how choices that you make every day can affect your health – now and in the future. You can then make a plan, on your own or with the support of your health care provider, to address these risks and make choices that can improve your health.

Why is my employer (the state of Washington) asking me to take a health assessment?

Both public and private employers consider health assessments the standard way to measure employees' health, and use them to create policies to maintain and improve employees' health.

Chronic disease, including cancer, heart disease, lower respiratory disease, and diabetes, account for 70% of all deaths and more than 75% of health care spending in the United States. Chronic diseases are also the most preventable. Four common, health-damaging, but modifiable behaviors—tobacco use, insufficient physical activity, poor eating habits, and excessive alcohol use—are responsible for much of the illness, disability, and premature death related to chronic diseases. Getting screened for health problems on the recommended schedule can make these conditions more manageable, less deadly, and less costly if they are detected early.

We know that among Washington adults surveyed in 2009:

  • 46 percent do not meet recommended guidelines for exercise
  • More than 6 out of 10 are overweight or obese
  • 75 percent don't eat enough fruits and vegetables
  • 15 percent smoke cigarettes
  • Only 54 percent had one or more recommended screening tests for colorectal cancer

If you take a health assessment and begin making changes to improve your health, everyone wins. You'll win because you'll feel better, the State wins because employees who are healthier are more productive, and we all win if we can put the brakes on health care spending.

How often do I complete a health assessment?

We encourage you to take a health assessment once every year, or more frequently if your health plan recommends it.

Can I complete a health assessment at work?

Because Washington Wellness came out of Former Governor Gregoire's initiative to promote health and productivity for state employees and their families, agency leaders are asked to encourage their employees to take the health assessment online while at work.

Can any other members of my household take the health assessment?

Yes! We encourage dependents enrolled in a PEBB health plan to take a health assessment.

Who has access to my health assessment information?

You are the only person, outside of your health plan, with access to this information. You choose who to share it with.

The information you provide in the health assessment remains with your health plan. Similar to your other health information, your health plan must keep your information personal as required by the federal Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996.

What will be done with my answers to the health assessment?

As an employer, the State will only see a broad picture of employees' health as a group, which means individuals are kept anonymous. This information will help Washington Wellness coordinators and staff identify major health risks in the population, such as lack of physical activity, and provide evidence-based programs to address the risks. Washington Wellness works with agencies and institutions of higher education to provide online and worksite programs and tools to assist employees who choose to reduce their health risks and improve their health. No staff at your employer or at Washington Wellness sees individual-level information.

Does the state or my manager know if I completed the health assessment?

No, not unless you tell your manager. Only you and your health plan know if you completed the health assessment. Washington Wellness tracks the number, but not the identity, of employees who complete the health assessment.

Will the health assessment affect my insurance coverage?

No. The health assessment is not used to guide insurance coverage decisions.

Will the health assessment affect my health care premiums?

No. Completing a health assessment will not affect your health care premiums.

Will the health assessment affect my share of health care costs?

No. Completing a health assessment will not affect your share of health care costs.

How long will it take me to complete the health assessment?

It will take about 20-30 minutes and you are allowed to do this on work time. Allow extra time to set up a username and password if it is your first time completing the health assessment, or if you are new to the system.

Do I need information from my doctor or provider to answer the questions?

Your most recent blood pressure reading, your height and weight, and the results of lab work you have had done recently are good to have on hand before you start. There are also questions about when you had your last preventive services or health screenings such as: flu shot, blood pressure, cholesterol, Pap test, and mammogram.

What kinds of questions are on the health assessment?

The health assessment questions include health habits in the following areas: physical activity, food selection, tobacco use, women's health, chronic conditions, preventive services and health screenings, alcohol use, and a few others.

Do I have to answer all of the questions?

No, you may skip questions that you do not want to answer. With questions you are comfortable answering, we strongly encourage you to answer them honestly. Your answers are completely confidential.

Is there an incentive for taking the health assessment?

You will get personalized feedback regarding your health risks. If you are a Uniform Medical Plan member, you will receive a $30 gift card by completing your health assessment.

Health Assessment Testimonials

"I think it is really a great idea to have people personally invested in their health and this was a wonderful tool to make it happen. Making them aware of areas for their own personal health will help us all as a society (especially with keeping medical costs low), great idea, great program - keep being innovative in this arena!"

"This survey was very beneficial because it gave me some time just to focus on what I am currently doing with health related issues. Thank you for developing the program."

How do I take my health assessment?

To take your health assessment, select your health plan, or select "None/Other," from the list below.

Group Health

Group Health's health assessment is called the Health Profile. Members must be at least 18 years old to take it.

What you'll need to take the Health Profile

  • Your Member ID
  • Your blood pressure
  • Your cholesterol levels
  • Dates of your last immunizations and preventive screenings

How to complete the Health Profile

  1. Log in with your member ID and password at MyGroupHealth. Select "Health Profile: Fill Out Questionnaire." Complete the Health Profile.
  2. If this doesn't work, it may mean you are not registered for enhanced services. To register, go under For Members and select Your complete guide to care and benefits, then select Register Now. Enter your Member ID number, last name, and birthdate. You can also register at the business office at your Group Health medical center.
  3. If you aren't able to upgrade your account immediately, you'll get your code in the mail in 2-5 days and then be able to log in.

Have a question or need help?

Call Group Health at 1-888-901-4636.

You may choose to share your Health Profile results with your primary care provider to discuss your health risks. Sharing your results can also help you learn more about accessing your medical plan's benefits or find activities to help you reduce your health risk in your workplace.

Kaiser Permanente

Kaiser Permanente's health assessment is called the Total Health Assessment. Members must be at least 18 years old to take it.

What you'll need to take the Total Health Assessment

  • Your Kaiser health record number
  • Your blood pressure
  • Your cholesterol levels
  • Dates of your last immunizations and preventive screenings

How to complete the Total Health Assessment

  1. Go to Kaiser and log in with your user ID and password. Under the Health and Wellness tab, select Take a total health assessment. Complete the Total Health Assessment.
  2. If you do not have a user ID and password, you'll need to register first. Have your Kaiser health record number and select Register now.

Have a question or need help?

Call Kaiser Permanente at 1-800-556-7677 Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday, 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Be sure to print your results. You may choose to share your Total Health Assessment results with your primary care provider to discuss your health risks. Sharing your results can also help you learn more about accessing your medical plan's benefits or find activities to help you reduce your health risk in your workplace.

Uniform Medical Plan

Uniform Medical Plan's health assessment is called the General Health Assessment. Members must be at least 18 years old to take it. If you take the General Health Assessment by June 30, you can earn a $30 gift card.

What you'll need to take the General Health Assessment

  • Your member ID card or your myRegence.com username
  • Your blood pressure
  • Your cholesterol levels
  • Dates of your last preventive screenings

How to complete the General Health Assessment

  1. Go to myRegence.com and log in with your username and password. Under My Health select General Health Assessment. Complete the assessment.
  2. If you do not have a username and password, you'll need to register first. Have your member ID card and select Register Now.

Have a question or need help?

Call Uniform Medical Plan at 1-888-849-3681.

Be sure to print your results. You may choose to discuss your General Health Assessment results with your primary care provider to discuss your health risks. Sharing your results can also help you learn more about accessing your medical plan's benefits, or find activities to help you reduce your health risk in your workplace.

None/Other

If you are a Washington State employee not enrolled in one of the three Public Employee Benefit Board health plans (listed above), your own health plan may offer a health assessment or you can take one at Your Disease Risk, offered by Siteman Cancer Center at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine. This assessment can assist you in measuring your risk for diabetes, several cancers, heart disease, osteoporosis and stroke. There is no registration and no information collected or stored.

Now that I know about the health assessment...

You may want to find out more about health risks. Listed here are some of the more common risks that can be identified through taking the health assessment.

Diabetes

Diabetes (also called adult onset diabetes, non-insulin dependent diabetes, and "sugar") is a disease in which your blood glucose, or sugar, levels are too high. Glucose comes from the foods you eat. Insulin is a hormone that helps the glucose get into your cells to give them energy. With Type 1 diabetes, your body does not make insulin. With Type 2 diabetes, the more common type, your body does not make or use insulin well. Without enough insulin, the glucose stays in your blood.

Heart Disease

Heart disease (also called cardiac disease) is the number one killer in the U.S. and a major cause of disability. The most common cause of heart disease is narrowing or blockage of the coronary arteries, the blood vessels that supply blood to the heart itself. This is called coronary artery disease and happens slowly over time. It's the major reason people have heart attacks.

High Blood Pressure

Blood pressure is the force of your blood pushing against the walls of your arteries. High blood pressure (also called HBP, HTN, and hypertension) usually has no symptoms, but it can cause serious problems such as stroke, heart failure, heart attack, and kidney failure. You can control high blood pressure through healthy lifestyle habits and taking medicines, if needed.

High Cholesterol

Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that occurs naturally in all parts of the body. Your body needs some cholesterol to work properly. But if you have too much in your blood, it can stick to the walls of your arteries. This is called plaque. Plaque can narrow your arteries or even block them. High levels of cholesterol (also called high cholesterol, HDL, hypercholesterolemia, hyperlipidemia, hyperlipoproteinemia, and LDL) in the blood can increase your risk of heart disease.

Mental Health

Mental health is how we think, feel, and act as we cope with life. While everyone will feel worried, anxious, sad, or stressed sometimes, with a mental illness, these feelings do not go away and are severe enough to interfere with your daily life. Mental illnesses (including depression, phobias, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia) are common – affecting about one in five families in the U.S. While these disorders are real diseases that cannot be willed or wished away, they are often treatable.

Preventive Health Screenings

Preventive health screenings (also called screenings, health screenings, screening tests, and preventive health) refer to a test or exam done to find a condition before symptoms begin. Screening tests may help find diseases or conditions early, when they are easier to treat. Some conditions that doctors commonly screen for include high blood pressure and cholesterol; breast, cervical, colorectal, and prostate cancer; diabetes; and osteoporosis. Other preventive health measures include getting a yearly flu vaccine.

Substance Abuse

Substance abuse (also called alcoholism, alcohol dependence, drug abuse, and drug addiction) refers to the overindulgence in and dependence on a drug or other chemical leading to effects that are harmful to the individual's physical or mental health, or the welfare of others.

The disorder is characterized by a pattern of continued compulsive use of a medication, non-medically indicated drug, or toxin that results in repeated adverse social consequences. Examples of these consequences include interpersonal conflicts, legal problems, or failure to meet work, family, or school obligations and they may lead to addiction or substance dependence.

Tobacco Use

There's no way around it. Smoking (also called cigar, cigarette, pipe, or tobacco smoking) is bad for your health, harming nearly every organ of the body and causing 87% of lung cancer deaths. It is also responsible for many other cancers and health problems including lung disease, heart and blood vessel disease, strokes, and cataracts. Women who smoke have a greater chance of certain pregnancy problems or having a baby die from sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Your smoke is also bad for other people - they breathe in your smoke secondhand and can get many of the same problems as smokers.

What if I have other health issues?

If you have other health and/or wellness issues, use the "Ask Me 3" approach anytime you see your doctor or health care provider to better understand your health. Remember, don't be nervous about asking questions! Your medical team wants you to understand your health and any directions you need to follow to take care of yourself.

"Ask Me 3" Questions:

  1. What is my main problem?
  2. What do I need to do?
  3. Why is it important for me to do this?

Be sure to:

  • Listen carefully to what your health care provider says. Make sure you understand what you are told about any diagnosis or treatment.
  • Ask questions. If you don't understand something your health care provider says, ask for it to be repeated in a different way.
  • Be honest. If your values, beliefs, fears, or concerns may interfere with a treatment that is suggested, talk with your health care provider about it. Other treatment options may be available.
  • Take an advocate. Have a family member or friend with you during your appointment, if possible. That person can take notes, ask questions to clarify information, and help you remember what your health care provider says.
  • Ask for instructions. Before leaving your health care provider's office, make sure you know what you are supposed to do to care for yourself. Ask for written information or instructions.