my health assessment

Access to take the Health Assessment can be found on the Valencia Benefits website at http://valenciacc.edu/HR/2010OPENENROLLMENTINFORMATION.asp.

If you have any questions please contact Joe Livingston at jlivingston@valenciacc.edu or phone ext. 8069 or Laurie Youngman at lyoungman@valenciacc.edu, ext. 8116.

What happens next? Who gets my personal information?

After you complete the health assessment, you will receive a personal report and be invited to join an online health coaching program. You may also get a call from a CIGNA nurse to tell you about health improvement programs that might be helpful to you. However, your information is kept confidential, and is sent to the CIGNA nurse through a secure transmission.

Its important for you to know that CIGNA's Privacy Statement clearly states that individual health assessment data will be used for purposes of confirming your eligibility and for administering your health improvement programs. Data indicating whether or not youve completed the health assessment may also be provided to your employer or to an outside vendor for the purpose of awarding an incentive. Your employer may also receive an aggregate report that doesnt include any personally identifiable information but provides your employer with important information about how many people in your company have certain conditions so that your employer can use this information to create wellness programs for health issues like high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol and weight management.

In certain situations, in compliance with state and federal privacy laws, CIGNA may provide individual questions and answers to an outside vendor acting on behalf of a client or to the employer to administer a health improvement program.

How often should I update my health assessment information?

You should consider retaking your health assessment at least once a year, or as often as your employer suggests making certain that the most accurate and up-to-date information is reflected in your risk profile. Whenever you visit your doctor for a wellness visit or a health screening, you can also update your Personal Health Manager at www.mycigna.com. Once youve logged in using your myCIGNA.com User ID and Password, select the MY HEALTH tab near the top of the page. Next, select the link WebMD Personal Health Manager in the center of the page. The Personal Health Manager allows you to keep a record of your health history so you can track your progress.

Will completing the health assessment increase my health insurance rate or cause my insurance to be cancelled?

No. Completing the health assessment will not increase your insurance rate or cause your insurance to be cancelled because CIGNA is only permitted to use individual health assessment data for the purpose of confirming an individuals eligibility and for administering health improvement programs available to that individual and not for the purpose of developing individual insurance rates. These requirements are explained in CIGNA's Privacy Statement which is presented to every individual to acknowledge in writing before being permitted to take the health assessment.

Will completing the health assessment affect my ability to get health insurance in the future?

No. Completing the health assessment will not affect your ability to get health insurance in the future. Thats because CIGNA is only permitted to use individual health assessment data for the purpose of confirming an individuals eligibility and for administering health improvement programs available to that individual and not for the purpose of determining eligibility for health coverage. In addition, CIGNA does not share the results of the health assessment with other carriers. These requirements are explained in CIGNA's Privacy Statement which is presented to every individual to acknowledge in writing before being permitted to take the health assessment,

Will completing the health assessment cause a claim to be denied because of a pre-existing condition?

No, the information from your health assessment is not used to determine whether a claim will be paid or denied. It is used to assess the level and nature of an individuals health risks, provide recommendations for improved health and to determine whether a wellness or other health program might be helpful to you.

Why does the health assessment ask personal, non-health questions, such as my ethnicity and marital status?

Personal factors like ethnicity and marital status play a part in your total health picture and that information helps in assessing and predicting your future health risk. In addition, some ethnic groups are more at risk for certain health conditions, so its important to include that information.

Where does my health assessment information go after I complete it?

Health assessment information is sent to CIGNA through a secure transmission and once we receive it, we maintain and secure the information as required by state and federal law. CIGNA only uses and discloses your health assessment information as described in the CIGNA Privacy Statement and for no other purpose. If CIGNA wanted to use or disclose the information in any other manner, we would request your written authorization to do so.