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UPMC Health Plan Offers HealthyU to Federal Employees

PITTSBURGH, Oct. 30, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- UPMC Health Plan is offering federal and postal employees a suite of options that promotes health and wellness while also improving employee productivity.

Through the Federal Employees Health Benefit Program (FEHBP), employees and retirees will be able to select UPMC HealthyU, a next-generation health plan with a healthy lifestyle rewards program that gives employees the opportunity to earn money into a Health Incentive Account (HIA). This innovative and empowering plan rewards employees for healthy behavior.

The U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has specifically asked insurers that participate in FEHBP to offer plans promoting healthy behaviors. "We expect you to offer programs that promote health and wellness and that are aimed at improving employee productivity, enhancing healthy lifestyles, and lowering long-term health care costs," wrote John O'Brien, Director of Healthcare and Insurance for OPM, in a call to action letter to insurance carriers participating in the FEHBP. "Incentives should be utilized in a manner that encourages members to take positive action and achieve sustained success."

With UPMC HealthyU, members can earn money in their HIA by completing specific healthy activities, such as getting preventive screenings or participating in health coaching. There are more than 100 healthy activities members can choose from to earn rewards. The money in the HIA can then be used to reduce out-of-pocket health care expenses. The plan also offers a robust online resource center with tools and information about how to stay healthy.

UPMC HealthyU is built on the philosophy of having members understand their health status, improve their health, and partner with their physicians.

"We are pleased to be able to offer federal employees choices they can live with and that also promote healthy living," said Kimberly L. Cepullio , Vice President, Sales and Account Management for UPMC Health Plan. "The OPM wants plans that offer incentives that can be utilized in a manner that encourages members to take positive action and achieve success that can be sustained. That is precisely what UPMC HealthyU is designed to do."

About UPMC Health Plan
UPMC Health Plan, the second-largest health insurer in western Pennsylvania, is owned by UPMC, an integrated global health enterprise. The integrated partner companies of the UPMC Insurance Services Division – which includes UPMC Health Plan, UPMC WorkPartners, LifeSolutions (EAP), UPMC for You (Medical Assistance), and Community Care Behavioral Health – offer a full range of group health insurance, Medicare, Special Needs, CHIP, Medical Assistance, behavioral health, employee assistance, and workers' compensation products and services to nearly 1.8 million members. Our local provider network includes UPMC as well as community providers, totaling more than 125 hospitals and more than 11,500 physicians throughout Pennsylvania and parts of Ohio, West Virginia, and Maryland. For more information, visit www.upmchealthplan.com.