FAQs: BeWell@Stanford Program

What is BeWell@Stanford?

BeWell@Stanford is the university wellness program that encourages employees to take action to improve their health and wellbeing. The program consists of three components: the Stanford Health and Lifestyle Assessment (SHALA), Wellness Profile, and BeWell Berries.

Who can participate in the BeWell@Stanford Program?

Current benefits-eligible Stanford University Employees are able to participate in all three components of the program. This year, spouses and registered domestic partners of benefits-eligible Stanford University employees can participate in the SHALA and Wellness Profile.

When does the 2012 BeWell program start and end?

Our calendar year starts on January 1, 2012 and runs through November 30, 2012. Participants must complete the program by November 30, 2012 to receive financial incentives.

What is the 2012 incentive?

If you are new to BeWell (or were not able to complete the SHALA and Wellness Profile in 2011), you are eligible to receive $200 for completing the SHALA and Wellness Profile this year. Once completed, you will receive a $200 payment in a regular paycheck.

If you are a returning participant who completed the SHALA and Wellness Profile in 2011, you are qualified to receive a $480 incentive payment this year. Payments will be listed as a BeWell Incentive and show up as $20 in each regular paycheck beginning in January.

Spouses and registered domestic partners will not be compensated until 2013 for participating in 2012.

How do I qualify for the 2013 incentive?

Current benefits-eligible university employees will receive a $480 (taxable) wellness reward in 2013 for the completion of the SHALA and Wellness Profile, agreeing to share 2012 information, and enrollment in a Stanford sponsored medical plan in 2013. Payment will appear in employee's paystub.

Spouses of benefits-eligible university employees will receive a $240 (taxable) wellness reward in 2013 for the completion of the SHALA and Wellness Profile, agreeing to share 2012 information, and enrollment in employee’s Stanford sponsored medical plan in 2013.

Are the BeWell Berries necessary to qualify for 2013 incentive?

BeWell Berries are an important part of staying on track with your wellness plan, but they are not necessary to qualify for financial incentives in 2013.

When do I receive payment for completing my BeWell Berries?

Collect five or more BeWell Berries before the November 30, 2012 deadline and earn $100 (taxable) in 2012. This Incentive will be processed following the completion of your BeWell Berry activities and will be included in a regular paycheck.

What information will be shared?

Your personally identifiable SHALA responses, screening results and participation in the Employee Incentive Program will be shared with your medical plan, in a process coordinated by an external business-partner approved by Stanford’s Chief Information Security Officer.

Identifiable SHALA responses and screening results will not be shared with the university or your supervisor. 

How will my information be used?

Your information will be used primarily for the purpose of helping you take action to improve your health. BeWell advisors will review the information with you and may use your results to suggest appropriate health promotion resources, both on campus or with your medical plan. Your medical plan may use your information for the purpose of health promotion and/or disease management outreach.

Aggregate data will be used for program evaluation. Specifically, SHALA, screening, and participation data will be merged with medical claims data provided by the medical plans by the external business-partner approved by Stanford’s Chief Information Security Officer. This entity will give the medical plans and Stanford University a de-identified dataset that can be used to determine whether the Employee Incentive Program results in reduced medical costs.

Aggregate data will also be used for the strategic planning of health promotion services within Stanford University. In addition, the aggregate data will be used to investigate the relationship between lifestyle behaviors, knowledge, attitudes, and mental and physical health and well-being. For a complete listing of the uses of the data, please see the full privacy statement.

Why am I being asked to share such personal information?

Providing the afore-mentioned information will help BeWell analyze the effectiveness of the program, and will also help Stanford (and you) manage the cost of rising health care. Note: your individual information will not be shared with other university employees and participating cannot result in a loss of health care coverage.

What if I choose to opt out of information sharing?

By opting out, participants new to the program in 2012 will receive $200 in 2012 and are forfeiting $480 and/or $240 in 2013. Those that are receiving the $480 in 2012 and opt out will not receive $480 in 2013 but could be eligible for $200 in 2013 if they complete the SHALA and Wellness Profile.

What is SHALA?

SHALA (Stanford Health and Lifestyle Assessment) is the gateway for the program and for the financial incentives. An online health risk assessment that takes about 20 minutes to complete, SHALA helps participants identify healthy lifestyle behaviors as well as areas for possible improvement. Upon completion, participants immediately have access to an individualized health report. 

SHALA will:

•    Help you understand the healthfulness of your current lifestyle behaviors

•    Outline your risk for type II diabetes, cardiovascular disease and other health issues

•    Provide you with health behavior targets to reduce your risk and improve your health

•    Help you assess your readiness for lifestyle change

•    Provide strategies for reaching your health goals



How often do I need to take SHALA?

The SHALA is the cornerstone of the BeWell program; active participants take it every year.

Can I take it more than once a year?

Yes. Participants are encouraged to take SHALA as often as they want to track changes in their behaviors.

What is the Wellness Profile?   

1. Screening (done on-campus or by your doctor)
2. Advising
3. Plan

What is the Screening?

The screening, provided for free at convenient BeWell locations, consists of the following six measurements that help assess your risk for heart disease, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome:

•    Total Cholesterol (TC)*

•    High Density Lipoprotein (HDL)*

•    Glucose*

•    Blood Pressure

•    Body Mass Index (Height and Weight)

•    Waist Circumference

* These are FASTING, finger-stick tests. Fasting means no food (including gum or candy) or drink ten to twelve hours prior to your appointment. Water is encouraged.

This screening information can also be acquired through your personal physician if you have had blood work done after January 1, 2012.  

How do I complete my Screening with BeWell?

Screenings are offered daily. You can register for your Screening appointment by logging in to the BeWell Incentive Program website. Once you have logged in, click the Wellness Profile button. You will be able to register for the date and time that best fits your schedule. Testing takes place between 7:00 a.m. and 11:10 a.m.

How many times can I participate in the Screening?

You will only be eligible for one screening per calendar year.

Can I choose to visit my doctor for the Screening?

Yes! Log in to the BeWell Incentive Program website and click the Wellness Profile button. You will find directions for faxing in your results.

What is Advising?

Advising is a 30-minute session with an experienced wellness advisor who can give you personal one-on-one support, practical advice and motivation to improve your health through behavior modification techniques. All BeWell Advisors have wellness coaching experience and a degree in a health-related field.

What is the Plan?

The Plan is an online tool to help you develop goals and strategies for personal wellness. Your wellness advisor will assist you in mapping out the beginning of this Plan. Following your Advising appointment, you will go to the website and log in to complete the process. Since the Plan is the last part of the Wellness Profile, completion and submission of the online Plan triggers your qualification for financial incentives.

What if I need to cancel my Screening or advising session?

Cancellations must be done online at least 48 hours prior to your appointment.

What are BeWell Berries?

BeWell Berries are nine health-related activities offered by the BeWell@Stanford program each year to help participants put their wellness goals into action. Here is a list of the 2012 BeWell Berries:

1. Fitness Assessment – free 30-minute assessment for evaluating your heart rate response to aerobic exercise, strength, flexibility, body composition and blood pressure.
2. Personal Training – free 60-minute session with a certified personal trainer during which the trainer will help you establish a workout plan. If you are new to working out, please do the Fitness Assessment first.
3. Nutrition Workshop – free 50-minute nutrition workshop provided by Stanford’s Health Improvement Program.
4. Stress Workshop – free 50-minute stress workshop provided by Stanford’s Health Improvement Program.
5. Healthy Living Classes – fee-based classes provided by Stanford’s Health Improvement Program; class formats include lectures, interactive sessions and one-on-one appointments on various health topics.
6. Physical Activity – group fitness classes and regular physical activity done on campus or at your local gym.
7. BeWell Walkers – a $10 online walking program (ten weeks in duration, including a pedometer, online tracking log and walking maps) designed to gradually increase your level of physical activity.
8. Wellness Advocate – a self-report for employees dedicated to helping people achieve better health and well being. Wellness Advocates agree to raise awareness of positive health habits with colleagues, family and/or friends.
9. Wellness Visit - a self-report for employees who have seen their health provider for an annual exam/well-visit in 2012.

How many BeWell Berries can I complete?

Benefits-eligible employees can complete as many BeWell berry activities as they want. To receive the $100 (taxable) incentive, employees must complete at least 5 of the 9 activities.

Can spouses and domestic partners do BeWell Berries?

Spouses and registered domestic partners are not eligible for Berries.