Did you know that full-time, benefits-eligible employees at UHD are eligible for up to 8 hours of wellness leave per year? This leave is designed to encourage UHD employees to be aware of and reduce their health risks, and it may be used for any purpose.

To request up to eight (8) hours of wellness leave time, the following steps must be completed:

1. Employee completes the Health Risk Assessment and Physician’s Certification of Routine Physical Exam Affidavit.
2. Employee completes and prints the health risk assessment (HRA) completion certificate provided by the current health care and/or insurance provider.
3. Employee schedules physical exam with doctor’s office using sick leave.
4. Employee ensures that physician has stamped and signed the “Physician’s Certification of Routine Physical Exam” section of the affidavit.
5. Employee submits the affidavit and certificate of HRA completion (if available) to supervisor for signature.
6. Employee submits the affidavit and certificate of HRA completion (if available) to ESO.
7. Employees must request the time off for Wellness Leave via the Time Reporting and Absence Management (TRAM) system. Employees may take the time in two blocks of four (4) or one block of eight (8) hours.

All participants in HealthSelect of Texas medical plans have access to a free Health Assessment tool through Well onTarget in BlueAccess for Members, the online member portal for HealthSelect of Texas medical plan participants. The Health Assessment tool can provide you with a comprehensive snapshot of your current health and a plan to move forward. It will also help you satisfy one of the requirements for requesting wellness leave at UHD, and it only takes 15-20 minutes to complete.

In addition to the free Health Assessment provided through Well onTarget, an annual physical exam with your primary care provider (PCP) is a great step in knowing where to begin as you set your health goals. Be sure to complete as much of the Health Assessment as you can before you see your PCP, but don’t worry if you aren’t able to answer every question on your own. Your PCP will likely be able to help you complete the remaining questions during your annual physical exam!

To learn more about completing your Health Assessment, read “Knowledge is power! Complete your Health Assessment today” in the March edition of ERS’ newsletter “News About Your Benefits”.