And why you should complete one every year.
A health assessment is a series of health-related questions that ask you about your lifestyle and health habits. Typically taken online, a health assessment takes around 20 minutes and can provide you with an overall view of your current health. Many plans, like the Washington Teamsters Welfare Trust, will ask participants to annually take one of these quick online exams.
Why take an annual health assessment
Often, people can miss subtle changes in their health or not see how certain health habits like smoking or avoiding exercise, can impact their well-being over time.
An annual health assessment:
- Helps you track your health from year to year, drawing your attention to potential health risks,
- Helps you monitor chronic conditions over time,
- Informs you about helpful no-cost wellness programs available to you through your Trust benefits,
- Reminds you of what preventive care tests are coming up,
- Offers you suggestions on maintaining your best health, and
- Identifies what you are doing well and opportunities for improvement.
When taking the assessment, the more information you can offer, such as current blood pressure measurements or cholesterol levels, and the more honest you are, the more useful the results and recommendations will be. An annual health assessment can allow for early intervention on possible conditions and helps you share what you learn with your health care team.
When to take your annual health assessment
Each year, the Trust offers participants the opportunity to take a health assessment to earn a financial incentive. It’s completely voluntary, but if you and your eligible spouse or covered domestic partner both complete it during the incentive period, your annual deductible will be lower in the coming year, than if you do not complete it. This could save you hundreds of dollars on your 2025 medical expenses. The incentive period will begin alongside Annual Enrollment in the fall. Look out for a notice at the end of October, letting you know that it is time to take this year’s health assessment.
Four reasons to complete your health assessment:
- You can earn a lower deductible in the coming year.
- You may become eligible for wellness programs.
- It’s completely confidential and can’t be shared with your employer or union.
- You can access it or update it any time online.