Ongoing Campus Recreation 'Rec Rewards' Program Off to a Successful Start

More than 600 employees have completed the steps to be part of the

Rec Rewards pilot reimbursement plan

, launched in February by Campus Recreation in partnership with Human Resources. Devised to encourage health improvement across the university, the plan has the added benefit of breaking down the cost barrier for employee memberships. Benefits-eligible UC employees can qualify for the reimbursement of more than two-thirds the cost of the monthly membership fee when they become Campus Recreation members.

Rec Rewards has open enrollment, so it isn’t too late to sign up to be part of the program and work towards a healthier workplace!

Did you know?

• Studies have shown that each active day per week equals a 4.7% reduction in health care expenditures for those over 40.(1)
• In the United States, 68% of the adult population is overweight or obese, which is nearly 50% of full-time employees.(2)
• America’s Health Rankings, by the United Health Foundation(3), show the following:

            o  Obesity: Ohio 38th, Kentucky 42nd , Indiana 43rd

            o  Sedentary Lifestyle: Ohio 40th, Indiana 41st, Kentucky 46th

            o  Diabetes: Kentucky 38th, Indiana 40th, Ohio 45th

            o  Overall Health: Ohio 40th, Indiana, 41st, Kentucky 45th

Here are the steps to get started and to maintain a place in the Rec Rewards program:

• Become a Campus Recreation member by signing up at the Member Services desk at either the Campus Rec Center or the Fitness Center at CARE/Crawley. Payroll deduction is available as a method of payment.
• Review program details on the Campus Recreation reimbursement program page.
• Schedule an initial health assessment. Must complete this assessment to be eligible for reimbursement. This is also required for current members.
• Get a follow-up health assessment at 6 months.
  

How the Rec Rewards program operates:

• Members continue to make membership payments.
• Check-in and workout on at least eight different days during the month.
• Get reimbursed $26.66 the following month.
• Repeat.
  

Visit the Member Services desk or call 513-556-0604 with questions or for more information.

Resources

:

1     Jean M. Abraham, Roger Feldman, John A. Nyman, and Nathan Barleen. (2011) What Factors Influence Participation in an Exercise-Focused, Employer-Based Wellness Program?  Inquiry. Vol. 48, No. 3, pp. 221-241.

2     Jean M. Abraham, Roger Feldman, John A. Nyman, and Nathan Barleen. (2011) The Effect of Participation in a Fitness Rewards Program on Medical Care Expenditures in an Employee Population. Journal of Occupational & Environmental Medicine. Vol. 54, Issue 3, pp. 280-285.

3     America’s Health Rankings (March 27, 2014). Retrieved from

americashealthrankings.org

.