What is health and wellness coaching?
Health and wellness coaching is a holistic, mind-body approach to medicine that views good health as a balance of physical and mental well-being. It asks you to think about your health today and where you want to be and helps you get there by finding the strength within yourself to make desired changes in your life. More specifically, coaching focuses on motivation, teaches self-management skills and provides education designed to help you improve your health.

How does the program work?
Members are invited to contact a health and wellness coach to set up an initial interview. This interview will first focus on getting to know one another. Once a relationship is established, the coach will work with the member to take a look at their overall health and determine what concerns the member would like to focus on. The health and wellness coaching program is self-directed. As a participant, you set your own goals and work at your own pace.

Does health and wellness coaching cost me anything? Are my premiums changing with this new program?
There is no cost to you to participate in the health and wellness coaching program.

How do health and wellness coaches get my name?
The health and wellness coaching program identifies members for potential enrollment by looking at medical and pharmacy claims submitted by healthcare providers and information you have submitted to Medica. Information from these claims allows Medica to determine which members may have complex medical conditions and are likely to benefit from a health and wellness coaching program.

Eligible members may also be identified depending on how you answered certain questions on your health assessment.

In addition, members eligible to participate under their benefit plan may choose to enroll in the program based on their own desire to improve their health.

Members also may be referred to the program through other Medica programs including care management, employee assistance programs, Medica CallLink® nurse line, Medica Behavioral Health and tobacco cessation.

How much do health and wellness coaches know about me?
Health and wellness coaches get their information from individual members and their healthcare providers. Communication from providers is limited to information that addresses a member's healthcare needs.

How do I know if I qualify for health and wellness coaching?
Call 1-866-905-7430 to speak with a health and wellness coach to determine if the program is available to you.

Is health and wellness coaching available to family members? What if a family member is not a Medica member? At what age are children eligible for coaching?
Family members 18 years and older can participate in the health and wellness coaching program if they are eligible for services under their Medica benefit plan. These members may be invited to participate based on their current health care needs (as identified through medical and pharmacy claims), or they may choose to participate in the program based on their own desire to improve their health. The health and wellness coaching program is only available to Medica members at this time. The program is available to members who are 18-80 years.

Can I recommend another Medica member for the program?
You are welcome to tell other Medica members about the health and wellness coaching program. Members eligible to participate under their benefit plan may choose to participate in the program based on their own desire to improve their health. Due to privacy laws, Medica cannot accept a recommendation from a member to invite another member to participate in the program.

Which members are affected by or eligible for the health and wellness coaching program?
Medica members 18-80 who have health coaching services covered under their benefit plan are eligible for the program. Generally, this includes members belonging to fully insured plans, government programs, and self insured commercial groups who purchase the program.

Is the program coordinated with other Medica programs?
Yes. Coordination with other programs includes referrals and consultations among care management, pharmacy, customer service, tobacco cessation and Medica CallLink nurse line. Some members with depression and/or anxiety conditions will be coached by Medica Behavioral Health staff assigned to the health and wellness coaching team.

When should I contact a coach? How do I contact the health and wellness coaches?
If you want to learn more about the program and enroll, call Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturdays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 1-866-905-7430. If you do not reach a coach right away, you can leave a message on the confidential voice mail and a health and wellness coach will call you back within one business day.

Once enrolled in the program, you should contact the coach for your scheduled coaching session. This is scheduled in advance at a time that is convenient for you. Starting October 1st, health and wellness coaches are available Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Saturdays 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 1-866-905-7430.

Will I be able to work with the same coach throughout?
Yes. From the moment you begin the program you will work closely with the same coach. He or she will help guide you to the goals that you establish. Health and wellness coaches also may refer you to community resources or other Medica services that may be appropriate as you work through the health coaching program

If you are currently in a disease management program your coach will change as of October 1, 2008.

Can I meet with a health and wellness coach in person? How about online?
At this time, Medica health and wellness coaches are unable to meet with you in-person or online. The coach will provide private, confidential one-to-one coaching over the phone. We believe this is the most effective, efficient way to provide health and wellness coaching. Our coaches are specially trained in over-the-phone coaching.

How long does the health and wellness coaching program last?
The average length of the program is 6 months. The frequency of sessions and length of program is determined by the member and is based on their individual health needs.

What kind of resources will be available to me in the health and wellness coaching program?
Members who are enrolled in the health and wellness coaching program will receive a workbook and additional educational materials that meet your individual health needs. Coaches also may refer you to community resources or other Medica services that may be appropriate as you work through the health coaching program.

Will my health and wellness coach know my benefits, network options, formulary?
Health and wellness coaches will know whether you are eligible for the health coaching program. For questions about other benefits and your Medica membership, they will be able to transfer you directly to Customer Service for assistance.

Are there criteria for disenrollment and graduation from the program?
Most members will complete the program in about six months. Members who successfully complete the program meet the following criteria: they actively address a work plan established by them and their coach; increase their self sufficiency and motivation level; and complete a work plan for their priority health topic. These measures will be evaluated by each member’s coach.

Will I receive any rewards for my participation in the program?
Yes. Throughout the program, participants receive small rewards such as e-cards, pill boxes and pedometers. As your motivation, confidence or readiness to change increases, your health and wellness coach also will send you gift cards. You also will receive a gift card upon graduation from the program.

What member materials are or will be available regarding the health and wellness coaching program?
Many member materials are available, including member invitations, member workbooks, and various educational materials related to diseases, medications and healthful living.

Where are they located?
Health and wellness coaches are located at Medica's main office in Minnetonka, MN.

What are the qualifications of a health and wellness coach?
Health and wellness coaches have at a minimum a bachelor’s degree and health care backgrounds in health coaching, nursing, psychology, social work, exercise physiology, dietetics/nutrition or health education. Our coaches have demonstrated active listening skills, the ability to develop rapport, empathy, and ability to support a member through motivation, building confidence and applying techniques that encourage changes in behavior.

What is the Medica staff training specific to the health and wellness coaching program?
Medica partnered with the University of Minnesota's Center for Spirituality and Healing to develop an extensive training program for its health and wellness coaches. The University of Minnesota program is acknowledged to have the most extensive health and wellness coach training program in the country.

Are health and wellness coaches giving out medical advice? Does health and wellness coaching replace my other health care providers?
Health and wellness coaches do not provide medical advice or treatment to members. Health and wellness coaching works in tandem with the services you receive from your medical team. The health and wellness coach supports your relationships with your health care providers and never takes the place of these very important relationships. Your health and wellness coach is able to share information with your health care providers at your discretion. The health and wellness coach will help you to plan for your visits with your health care provider(s) so that you can be sure you are getting your needs met.

Does a health and wellness coach talk to my member physician? Can I ask my health and wellness coach to talk with my physician?
Our goal is to help make you self-sufficient in managing your health. Part of doing that is to help you prepare for your appointments with physicians. We will coach you on effective ways to interact with your physician. On rare occasions, we may contact a member’s physician if we think a member’s condition or circumstances pose a serious threat to his or her health.

Will the health and wellness coaches know complementary medicine?
Health and wellness coaches are familiar with complementary medicine but will not advise you whether or not to pursue this form of medicine. The coach will help you define whether you want to learn more about these therapies and if so will help you identify credible resources.

What if I don't like my health and wellness coach, can I change? How do I do that?
Yes. Medica believes that the relationship between you and your health and wellness coach is very important to your success in the program. If at any time you wish to work with a new coach, you may do so by asking to speak to your current coach’s supervisor and a new coach will be assigned to you.

Why should I want to participate?
Health and wellness coaching asks you to think about your health today and where you want to be and helps you get there by finding the strength within yourself to make desired changes in your life. If you are interested in making healthful changes in your life, then health coaching may be for you. The program is self-directed: you set your own goals and work at your own pace. Health and wellness coaches help you reach your goals by developing a one-on-one relationship with you that looks at you as a whole person and supports you in making behavior changes that improve your health. More specifically, health and wellness coaching focuses on motivation, teaches self-management skills and provides education designed to help you improve their health.

Do I have to participate? Can I refuse? What if I don't want to participate? Can I join later?
The program is voluntary, so you do not have to participate if you do not wish to. You may join at any time. Because health and wellness coaching is about helping you make changes in your life that you desire, Medica is ready to help you when you are ready.

What kinds of things can the health and wellness coaches help with?
Health and wellness coaches work with you to develop your own goals and support you in taking charge of your health. This may include dealing with a chronic condition like high blood pressure, diabetes or cholesterol. Or it may include physical challenges ranging from low back pain, being overweight and diet and exercise. Health and wellness coaches also can assist you with mental issues including depression, stress and anxiety. The kinds of things coaches can help you with are limited only by the health and wellness goals you establish.

Topics focus on identifying what you want to do to improve your health including techniques for becoming a better self manager of your health, setting health goals and action plans to meet your goals, managing stress, developing improved communication practices with your health care providers, etc.

What kind of results can I expect through this program?
Health and wellness coaches will help you take a look at your current health and assist you in identifying how you'd like to improve it. You and your coach will discuss ways you can change your behaviors to support improved health, set goals for making those changes and discuss ways to help you stay on track. The results are largely up to you, although your coach will be there every step of the way to guide and encourage you.

Will my employer know that I am participating and for what?
No. Medica will not provide member-specific information to employers. Your employer may receive reports about overall employee participation in and overall effectiveness of the program.