The General Board of Pension and Health Benefits (GBPHB) has announced that the agency’s Center for Health was among 30 U.S. employers to receive the National Business Group on Health’s (Business Group) Best Employers for Healthy Lifestyles highest award, conveyed at the annual Leadership Summit in New York City, June 27, 2012. The Summit is sponsored by the Business Group’s Institute on Innovation in Workforce Well-being.
This is the first year GBPHB has been recognized with the platinum award for its commitment and dedication to promoting a healthy workplace, encouraging United Methodist Church clergy, lay workers and their families to support and maintain healthy lifestyles. Health plan program offerings under the self-insured HealthFlex plan currently cover 27,000 participants. HealthFlex is offered through GBPHB’s Center for Health.
Helen Darling, president and CEO of the Business Group, commented, “We are very pleased to recognize the General Board of Pension and Health Benefits of The United Methodist Church for its ongoing commitment to providing lifestyle improvement programs that encourage healthy lifestyles. We congratulate them on receiving this award.”
GBPHB General Secretary Barbara Boigegrain noted, “The Center for Health is a unique denominational approach to lifting up the wellness and well-being of UMC clergy and lay workers in support of mission and ministry. With this recognition, the plans and programs offered under HealthFlex are proven to be among the best in support of healthy lifestyles offered by major U.S. employers.”
Among the 30 top U.S. corporations and health institutions receiving the platinum award are H.J. Heinz Company, JPMorgan Chase & Co., Mayo Clinic, PepsiCo, The Boeing Company, American Express and Dell Inc.
HealthFlex program offerings include: biometric screenings, health assessment, walking program, health coaching, online wellness tools, emotional health supports, and targeted communications for preventive screenings and condition management. These offerings are aligned with individual needs across the health continuum. HealthFlex’s wellness program is anchored by data, including health and disability claims, health risk assessment results, and biometric screenings. High engagement in assessment and screening is critical to accurately assessing health, risk, and readiness to change among the clergy and laity of the UMC.