In creating our employee wellness program, the City of San José values inclusivity, healthy alternatives, and new ideas. The Benefit Division within Human Resources is responsible for maintaining the program, with ongoing input from interested employees. Below, you will find valuable information and answers to common questions. If you have additional ideas or concerns about the City's wellness program, please contact us at WellnessIn-Box@sanjoseca.gov.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is the wellness program available to all employees?
At this time, some features of the employee wellness program are extended only to benefited City of San José employees, while other features are available to all, including un-benefited employees. Please contact Human Resources for details.
2. Who will have access to my personal health information from on-line or paper health assessments and/or biometric data? And how will this information be used?
The city's healthcare providers; Blue Shield and Kaiser Permanente are the only companies who have access to individual health assessments and biometric data. This individually specific information is protected under privacy laws (HIPAA and the California Privacy Act) and will not be released to the City or any other party, without your expressed, specific authorization. The city's healthcare providers will provide the City of San José with generalized, aggregate information about the overall employee population when group assessments or readings are taken. This information is used by the City to determine the existing health conditions or pending health risks of the population and will use this information to decide what direction the wellness program should be taking for the most benefit of employees.
3. Is there a cost for participation in the wellness program?
The overall employee wellness program is sponsored by the City of San José with funds that have been realized in negotiations with our current healthcare providers. In fact, participation in some programs may even lead to monetary compensation upon completion, in the form of rewards.
4. Are my spouse and children eligible to participate in the reward programs?
Beginning January 1st, 2009, enrolled dependents over the age of 18 are eligible to participate in the reward programs by both Kaiser Permanente and Blue Shield.
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