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Employee health and wellness

Employees, retirees and covered spouses have a variety of health and wellness options.

For wellness resources in response to COVID-19, visit the Employee Well-being Resources intranet page (employee only).

Saving on copays (health incentive)

You can reduce your copays by earning the health incentive.

If you are a Hennepin County retiree or spouse and interested in wellness activities and the health incentive, subscribe to our quarterly newsletter.

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Health screenings

Health screenings check cholesterol, blood sugar, blood pressure, body mass index, and waist measurement. Individual health screening results are not shared with Hennepin County or PreferredOne.

Wellness points

  • You earn 750 wellness points toward the health incentive.
  • You earn points either for an on-site screening or at your doctor's office.
  • You can earn points for a screening once per incentive year.

For a health screening at your doctor

  • You and your doctor fill out the Virgin Pulse provider form.
  • Get the form from your Virgin Pulse account (select Benefits and search "screening").
  • You can upload the completed form to your Virgin Pulse account or your doctor can fax it to Virgin Pulse.
  • Submit the form by October 15, 2022 for points toward the 2023 co-pay reduction.

On-site events

There are no on-site events scheduled at this time.

Flu shots

Wellness points

  • You earn 250 wellness points toward the health incentive.
  • You earn points when you document your flu shot completion in your Virgin Pulse account (select Benefits and search "vaccination").
  • See where you can get a flu shot at no cost.
  • You can earn points for a flu shot or other vaccination up to three times per incentive year.

Trade time for fitness is designed to promote and increase physical activity in employees and their household members.

Summary

  • Pay for fitness and wellness expenses with sick leave or paid time off (PTO)
  • Expenses can apply to you or your household members
  • Expenses can total up to $2,000 per payroll year
  • Sick leave or PTO balance must be high enough to cover the claim

Claims and reimbursements

Deadlines for claims

  • December 3, 2021: Deadline for submitting claims to be applied to the 2021 $2,000 maximum
  • March 4, 2022: Deadline for submitting claims for purchases made in 2021

Submitting claims

  • Submit, edit or check status of claims in APEX
  • Receipts must be itemized, dated and clearly show that the amount in your claim was paid
  • Bank or credit card statements can only be used for monthly health club dues
  • Can include multiple receipts for one claim, use date of oldest purchase
  • Claims must be equal to or less than the purchase price
  • Whenever possible, group receipts that are under $10 in one claim
  • Instructions to submit a claim (PDF)

Receiving reimbursements

  • Reimbursement comes in your regular paycheck and is considered taxable income
  • Check your reimbursement balance in APEX or on your most current pay-stub
  • Allow up to 3 to 4 weeks to see reimbursement on your paycheck
  • If you’re leaving or retiring from the county, submit remaining expenses four weeks before your last working day

Eligible expenses

  • Health club memberships
  • New and used equipment, equipment maintenance, repair, parts, and warranties
  • Exercise fees (e.g., sport league registration, court and rink rental, bike locker, and equipment rental)
  • Fitness classes and personal trainers
  • Massage (not medically necessary)
  • Activity trackers and wearable devices (e.g., Fitbit)
  • Behavior modification programs for weight loss (does not include food)
  • Day sports camp
  • Meditation, mindfulness or stress management apps
  • Sporting gear (not clothing, see below) or protective sporting gear
  • Fitness purchases from private parties (requires bill of sale with seller's name, address and phone number, equipment purchased, payment information and date, and name of purchaser)
  • Sales tax and shipping and handling on these items
  • Ergonomic chairs and sit-to-stand desks (must provide documentation with your claim that includes "ergonomic" or "adjustable" in the description, does not include desk accessories e.g., mounting arms, lamps)

Non-eligible expenses

  • Body weight/composition scales, sleep trackers
  • Books and magazines
  • Building equipment for home gyms
  • Child care or fun club, camping, clubs social in nature (e.g., country club, golf, bowling, and skiing)
  • Clothing (e.g., running shoes, hiking boots, jackets, shorts, uniforms, and swimsuits)
  • Ergonomic accessories (e.g., computer mouse, key board, fatigue mat, or leg rests)
  • Fees related to extreme sports such as skydiving, bungee jumping, hang gliding
  • Fees (e.g., tanning, park permits)
  • Fishing or recreational equipment (e.g., tents, packs, coolers), tracing books or manuals
  • Food and supplements even if purchased for a weight loss program
  • Gift cards or gift certificates
  • Health coaching or nutrition counseling
  • Items to transport sporting goods that can be repurposed (i.e. duffle bag, gym bag)
  • Jogging strollers
  • Medical expenses (e.g., lab tests, prescriptions, co-pays, medical equipment, medically prescribed massage) or other items reimbursable through a health savings account
  • Reimbursements from health insurance providers (Fitness Advantage)
  • Smoking cessation services or supplies (nicotine gum or patches)
  • Tips for services
  • Water bottles or water hydration packs
  • Weapons (e.g., paint ball guns and equipment, air rifles, hunting guns, and archery equipment)

Questions

Contact the HR Service Center at hr.servicecenter@hennepin.us or 612-348-7855.

Health club discounts

Fitness Advantage health club discount

Participants

Employees, family members and retirees covered by the county health plan can take part.

  • Earn $10–$25 per month toward health club membership fees.
  • Applies to health clubs that participate in the Fitness Advantage program
  • Up to two household members can sign up.
  • Work out 12 times a month and get $25 per month off membership fees.
  • Work out 8 times a month and get $15 per month off membership fees.
  • Work out 6 times a month and get $10 per month off membership fees.
  • If you belong to more than one health club the discount can only apply to one.
  • You can use trade time for fitness to pay for the rest of your health club fees.

Claims and reimbursements

  • Reimbursement comes 30–45 days from the end of the month when you complete visits. For example, if you have 12 visits in January your account is reimbursed in March.
  • The reimbursed amount is taxable income and you’ll see this on your paycheck.
  • Your fitness club decides how to reimburse you (methods can include a reduction in future membership fees or direct deposit).
  • You can earn points toward the health incentive and your points automatically go into Virgin Pulse (6 to 8 visits earns you 250 wellness points, 12 visits earns you 500 wellness points).

Enrollment

Additional health club discounts for county employees

LA Fitness membership rate for county employees and family members

  • $29.99 per month (current and new members)
  • No enrollment fees
  • Enroll up to three immediate family members at employee rate
  • Access to all LA Fitness-branded clubs except "Signature" clubs and clubs located in Canada
  • Complimentary training consultation
  • $49 annual fee per person
  • Enroll online (internal access required) or contact Brian Dooley at 612-718-3750 or LAFitnessEmployeeDiscount@gmail.com.

Lifetime Fitness incentives for joining

Onsite club membership

  • No enrollment fees
  • My LT Bucks: 100 dollars toward any Life Time service or products
  • Complimentary personal training consultation
  • Access to online content and resources, such as Flourish newsletter and Eat Well
  • Enroll in the onsite membership online.

Digital membership

YMCA discounts for county employees

Health and wellness coaching

Get personal coaching to work toward your health and wellness goals, including:

  • Managing stress
  • Eating better
  • Increasing your physical activity
  • Managing chronic conditions

Learn more about health coaching.

Employee assistance program

On December 1, Deer Oaks replaced Sand Creek as the county’s employee assistance program provider. Employees currently working with a Sand Creek counselor may continue to do so through December 31.

In-person, video, or telephonic counseling

  • Meet one-on-one with a counselor to discuss money, family, work, legal or personal issues
  • Free and confidential
  • Four free visits for each issue you want to discuss
  • Available to household members
  • Translation available
  • To speak to someone immediately or to make an appointment, contact Deer Oaks EAP at 1-888-993-7650
  • You can access counseling services through iConnectYou mobile app; passcode: 221244
  • If you respond to crisis as part of your job duties, call 1-833-253-1129 to connect with a counselor specialized in first response
  • Managers and supervisors can call 1-877-249-4751 for independent support on topics such as discussing difficult situations, workplace transitions, or identifying behaviors of concern

Work-life referrals

  • Get referrals to help with everyday tasks such as eldercare, childcare, pet sitters, home repairs and tutors
  • Instant message with a work-life consultant via LiveConnect or call 1-888-993-7650
  • To access LiveConnect, log in to Deer Oaks EAP; username and password: hennepin
  • Member site includes webinars, online learning modules, podcasts, articles and videos about a variety of topics including health, fitness, financial wellness, childcare, aging, legal information and soft skills

County health insurance coverage for mental health

County health plans offer:

  • Generous mental health care coverage
  • No copay or deductible for mental health and substance use office visits for providers inside or outside of your plan's network
  • No limit of visits for any provider

Check your plan for providers and other details.

Mental health support through Learn to Live

  • Online programs for anxiety, stress, social anxiety, depression, insomnia, or substance use
  • Programs based on principles of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
  • Free and confidential
  • Access to a coach via text, email, or phone
  • Available to family members age 13 and older
  • Referrals for in-person providers

Visit the Learn to Live website for more information, passcode HENNEPIN.

Help quitting tobacco

Health coaching

Virgin Pulse Journeys

Tobacco-related Journeys

  • Consider Quitting
  • No Thanks, I Quit
  • Prepare to Quit
  • Ready, Set, Stop Smoking
  • Stay on Track, Stay Quit

Quit for life program

Help with substance use

Employee assistance program

Learn to Live substance use program

  • Online program based on principles of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT).
  • Available to family members age 13 and older.
  • Free and confidential.
  • Access to a coach via text, email, or phone.
  • Learn more about Learn to Live; passcode: hennepin.

County health insurance for substance use office visits

  • County health plans offer coverage for substance use office visits with providers inside or outside your plan’s network.
  • No copay or deductible.
  • No limit of visits.
  • Check your plan for details about outpatient and inpatient care.

Virgin Pulse Journeys

Substance use-related Journeys

  • Dial Back the Drinking
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