Holiday closure Monday May 28: Most county offices will be closed in observance of Memorial Day.

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E-mail: Health Matters

Phone: 206-205-5017

2012 Healthy IncentivesSM kicks off New Year’s Day

You can begin your 2012 Healthy IncentivesSM program as early as Jan. 1, 2012. But, before you do, be sure to read the 2012 Healthy IncentivesSM “blue” letter you’ll receive during the last week of December. The letter tells you how to earn gold for your 2013 medical out-of-pocket expenses and introduces you to two new programs you can use to improve and maintain your health on the road to gold.

The blue letter will be sent to your home mailing address in the Healthy IncentivesSM envelope shown below. If you cover a spouse or domestic partner under your medical coverage, he or she will receive a separate blue letter.

Blue Envelope

All of the last year’s programs are available again this year, and the requirements for earning gold, the lowest out-of-pocket expense level, remain the same. But, in answer to requests for even more options, there are two new programs:

  • King County Parks Big Backyard Fitness Challenge. This new and exciting program has activities for every fitness level. If you’re already active or interested in taking your first hike, this challenge is for you. Enjoy the county park system while completing one of 30 possible activities, plus two recommended training activities, each week for 10 weeks to earn gold. At the end of each activity location, find the unique ID code and enter it on your Get a Challenge Map, which you turn in after completing 10 weeks.

  • Group Health’s Living Well with Chronic Conditions. Through six 2½-hour, in-person, small-group workshops, you learn how to manage chronic conditions and improve your quality of life one step at a time by setting goals and breaking the goals into small weekly action plans. Two specially trained volunteer facilitators who have personal experience with a chronic condition lead the sessions. You must complete at least 4 of the 6 sessions to earn gold, but you’ll benefit most by being present for all sessions.

If you have questions after you’ve read your blue letter, call Benefits, Payroll and Retirement Operations at 206-684-1556 or e-mail kc.benefits@kingcounty.gov.