Employee Wellness at U of U
Employee Wellness: Your health, supported
The Osher Center for Integrative Health (OCIH) partners with University Human Resource Management and Hospital & Clinics Human Resources to offer all University of Utah employees access to programs, services, and resources that support individual wellness journeys. This partnership also aims to foster the University’s culture of wellness through the Ecosystem of Health Campus programming.
WellU Program
WellU is the employee wellness program for University of Utah academic main campus and health science academic employees administered by the Osher Center for Integrative Health.
WellU aims to inspire and empower employees to thrive when they’re ready to make positive lifestyle changes by offering concierge wellness support, individualized services, and evidence-based programs. Wellness activities are provided for free or at low cost.
For more information on the health insurance incentive or tracking and reporting participation, please visit the HR website.
How To Participate in WellU
Click on any of the Steps below for more information.
Step One: Complete the HRA
To better serve our employee population and support their health goals, the Osher Center team has created a new Health Risk Assessment (HRA). This self-reported, evidence-based evaluation uses validated measures to provide participants with an awareness of their health risks across various domains of health behaviors and psychosocial wellness.
The HRA allows the Osher Team to make informed recommendations and provide additional, individualized support to employees who may be at higher risk. It also gives OCIH leadership a view into the needs of our campus community and allows us to continue to refine programming to meet people where they are in their health journey.
A secure individual link to the HRA will be sent to you via email each month until it is completed. Please note that no one will have access to your provided health information except the Osher Center team. You will also be able to choose how much information to provide in the HRA beyond your name and UID (which are required), though answering all questions informs our team to better support you in your WellU experience.
For participation in the WellU program, completion of the HRA is required. But as always, participation in WellU is optional. Even if you choose not to participate in WellU, you are still welcome to engage with Osher programs and services.
Step Two: Review Your Results PDF
After completing the HRA, you will receive a PDF with instant, individualized results and a WellU action plan. If you are eligible to participate in a Tailored Care Pathway, you’ll be encouraged to choose one of the curated tracks of engagement and enroll in your pathway. If you’re not eligible for a TCP, you will receive real-time recommended Wellness Activities with your invitation to participate in the self-guided Traditional WellU Track.
These results are not sent to your provider. But you should feel empowered to take your fast feedback and in-hand recommendations to your provider to better inform your care.
Step Three: Identify Your WellU Route
Based on the results of your HRA, you should be able to identify and choose your route through the WellU program for this fiscal year.
Traditional Track
If you don’t qualify for a Tailored Care Pathway or you choose not to engage with your pathway recommendation, you are invited to participate in the Traditional Track that functions like the classic, self-guided version of WellU. All benefit-eligible employees are encouraged to participate.
You will be given a personalized action plan in your HRA results. You will need to complete at least four health activities that align with your health goals. You can choose to follow the activities recommended to you in your HRA pdf, or you can choose to complete any of the approved WellU activities and tailor your own experience.
Tailored Care Pathways
For employees that might benefit from increased support, the Tailored Care Pathways provide a more structured and supportive path for receiving WellU credit. A Wellness Navigator within the Osher Center will help individuals select a pathway that aligns with their health goals and support them as they accomplish each step.
Your HRA results will inform you if you are eligible to engage in a Tailored Care Pathway. There are two tracks – Healthy Body and Healthy Mind. If you are recommended to participate in a Healthy Body Pathway, there are a variety of curated pathways to choose from. If you qualify for a Healthy Mind Pathway, Osher will recommend a referral to the Behavioral Health Team within U of U Health.
A Tailored Care Pathway provides structure and guidance to help maximize the efforts of your WellU experience. However, if eligible, you may opt out and participate in the self-guided Traditional Track.
Step Four: Engage in Your First Activity & Follow Your Route
Once you’ve identified what route you will take through your WellU experience, you are ready to engage in your first activity. Then, follow your action plan throughout the year for successful completion of the WellU program. As always, reach out to wellness@utah.edu with any questions about the program or needed support on your WellU journey.
OCIH Services (up to 4 at low to no cost)
After four low or no cost services, employees may continue to utilize their benefit and will pay the University price. Employees can participate in as many services as they want at the University price.
OCIH Service
WellU Cost / University Price
- $15 / $30
- $15 / $50
- $20 / $40
- $0 / $35
- $0 / $40
- $0 / $40
- $0 / $35
OCIH Programs (employee copays apply)
- Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) - $50
- Intensive Lifestyle Program - $50
- - $50
- - $50
- - $125
- Build-a-Bone - $25
Other Pre-approved WellU Activities
Healthcare Provider
- Cervical Screening
- Dental Cleaning
- Mammogram
- Annual Physical
- Lifestyle Medicine Consult
- Osteoporosis Screening
- Prostrate Screening
- Colonoscopy
- Vaccination (COVID/Flu)
Affiliate Activities
- 10 visits to Rec. Center
- 10 visits to Red Butte
- Financial Workshop
- Department Program
- Hunstman Heroes
- Insomnia Class
RedMed Visit
UHRM and OCIH are committed to bringing this premier wellness program to the University of Utah and look forward to assisting employees on their path to optimal health and thriving. More information will be available soon as we launch expanded offerings through the Tailored Care pathways.
Links:
WellnessNOW Employee Benefit
WellnessNOW is the employee wellness benefit for University of Utah hospital and clinics employees.
WellnessNOW empowers employees to thrive when they’re ready to make positive lifestyle changes by offering subsidized evidence-based programs and services through the Osher Center for Integrative Health (OCIH).
OCIH Services (up to 4 at low to no cost)
After four low or no cost services, employees may continue to utilize their benefit and will pay the University price. Employees can participate in as many services as desired at the University price.
OCIH Service
WellnessNOW Cost / University Price
- $15 / $30
- $15 / $50
- $20 / $40
- $0 / $35
- $0 / $40
- $0 / $40
- $0 / $35
OCIH Programs (employee copays apply)
- Diabetes Prevention Program (DPP) - $50
- Intensive Lifestyle Program - $50
- - $50
- - $50
- - $125
- Build-a-Bone - $25
Hospital and Clinics Human Resources and OCIH are committed to offering impactful wellness programs and services and look forward to assisting employees on their path to optimal health and thriving.