Teachers required to submit to blood tests

Okay, so maybe not "required."  But read on.  Albuquerque Public Schools requested that teachers have blood tests done to determine their cholesterol and glucose levels.  According to the APS site, this testing was voluntary, but there would be a "financial incentive" to have them done.  Actually, employees faced a $20 a month increase in their health insurance rates if they did *not* submit to these tests.  Excuse me, but this is a financial disincentive; not an incentive.  The APS site says that these test results would be confidential and only used to design appropriate wellness programs for APS employees.

 

Really?

 

Teachers were given a deadline to have the tests done before they would be financially penalized by having their insurance rates increased.  They had the choice of setting up an appointment on their own time with their own doctors or.... get a finger prick test by a company called "Maxim Health Systems," who set up shop in the school lounge.  What kind of contract does APS have with Maxim Health Systems?  Who are they, that they are invited to set up in the workplace at our public schools?

 

So my very fit husband did the free tests at his school with Maxim Health Services and got abnormal cholesterol and glucose test results.  He was even identified as "pre-diabetic."  I found this alarming, so insisted that he re-do the tests through our local Tri-Core lab.  Again fasting, but not a finger prick test.  His cholesterol tests and glucose tests came back normal.  His glucose results, in particular, were radically different than what the Maxim Health Systems test showed.

 

I'm concerned that APS might use these bogus health indicators to develop a "wellness" program for employees.

 

I'm wondering, as a taxpayer, what kind of contract APS has with this company

 

It worries me that public school teachers are being coerced into having blood tests done; especially when the test results are wrong.

 

Can anybody enlighten me further about this? 

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Permalink Reply by JMG on February 7, 2011 at 8:12pm
Looked into this company.  Yes, it's a for-profit corporation.  They provide their own finger-prick cholesterol test called "Cholestech LDX System."  They also offer a flu vaccine program for companies, but apparently APS didn't contract with this company to provide that "wellness" service for our teachers.  The more I learn, the more outrageous this is sounding.  This is how our government saves us money.  By entering into contracts with For-Profit, out-of-state corporations.
Permalink Reply by JMG on February 7, 2011 at 8:39pm

From the APS website, under Wellness.  Check out the wording here.  These tests are "free."  They are "voluntary."  The purpose is to "encourage" wellness in employees.  Then notice that employee insurance rates go up in price for those who don't submit.  And notice that, while the rationale for this "service" is to support wellness, they did not provide flu vaccine for staff while they were there.

 

From APS:

Know Your Numbers: Next Steps Program Encourages Employees to Take “Next Steps” to Healthier Lifestyle

Albuquerque Public Schools employees and their spouses/domestic partners who have medical  insurance through the district will be offered important wellness benefits without increasing their current medical plan contributions.  By participating in the Know Your Numbers: Next Steps biometric screening incentive program, employees and their spouses/domestic partners will be offered an opportunity to learn more about their health status and prevent their medical plan contributions from increasing by $20 a month for individuals or $40 a month for employees with spouses/domestic partners.

The Know your Numbers: Next Steps biometric screening incentive program encourages employees and their spouses/domestic partners enrolled in Presbyterian or Lovelace health plans to complete a biometric screening in the next few months if they haven’t already. These screenings, which take about 20-30 minutes, provide a detailed assessment of an individual’s basic health indicators such as:

  • Blood pressure
  • Body Mass Index (calculated from height and weight)
  • Cholesterol
  • Blood Glucose and
  • Pulse/Heart rate.

APS will provide ample opportunities for employees and their spouses/domestic partners to have the screenings completed free-of-charge at most schools and work sites. On-site clinics will be available from mid-October 2010 through February 2011 at 135 schools and four administrative locations: City Centre, Montgomery Complex, Maintenance and Operations, and Aztec Complex. Saturday clinics also will be held at some APS high schools. Health care professionals will be available at these sites to go over test results and recommend next steps for the patient’s well-being.

You can schedule your screening appointment now using the online sc...This is an external link.

Employees and spouses/domestic partners who have already completed these screenings at their doctors’ office as part of their annual wellness visits from July 1-Oct. 11, 2010 will get full credit through the Know Your Numbers: Next Steps biometric screening incentive program.

In addition, employees and spouses/domestic partners may opt to have the screenings done by their primary care physician rather than at a school or work site. Take this checklistThis is a link to a PDF file. to your physician to complete, and then keep the results for your records. These screenings are part of the standard annual wellness checkup and are free for members of both the Lovelace and Presbyterian health plans, as long as the patient states that they want to schedule a free wellness visit or annual physical when they call to make the appointment.

APS employees who don’t carry health benefits through the district aren’t required to complete annual biometric screenings.

Beginning March 1, 2011, employees and spouses/domestic partners who haven’t completed their biometric screening will pay an additional $20-$40/month for their benefits through December 31, 2011.

Participation is voluntary and results are confidential. APS Employee Benefits administration will receive an aggregate management report that identifies key risk areas among our employees. This information enables us to develop a wellness program that serves the needs of our employees.  The results of your biometric screening will not have an impact on premiums or health care coverage.

Why is APS encouraging employees to have these tests completed? The simple answer is we want our employees to live long, healthy lives. Biometric screenings allow employees to learn about their current health status, and determine risks for common diseases including diabetes, heart disease and other medical conditions. An employee’s doctor can review the results of the screenings and recommend further tests, a treatment plan or wellness program.

Permalink Reply by tesuquedog on June 23, 2012 at 3:05pm

I just received a letter from APS and there is a change to the 2013 program.  APS is not allowing screenings to be completed by primary care physicians anymore.  Employees, spouses and domestic partners have to go to APS to have the screenings done. The screenings will include a full panel done via finger stick, blood pressure and body composition. The company doing the screening this time around is called Well Call

Permalink Reply by Barelas Babe on February 7, 2011 at 8:43pm

Wonder if there was an open bidding process for this contract? 

 

There is a link on the Maxim site to report a complaint or compliance concern.  I suppose that could include QA issues.

 

This is very bothersome. I haven't seen any local media stories about this - have you?

Permalink Reply by JMG on February 7, 2011 at 9:01pm
No media stories, no.  I think it's another example of a quiet contract between a public agency and a private, for-profit company that scratches both backs while allowing APS to make it look like they are saving us money.  The laughable (or cry-able) part is that they are marketing it as encouraging staff "wellness."  What better way to keep teachers well than to give them flu shots?  That wasn't part of this contract, apparently, tho a big part of what this company does elsewhere is providing vaccines.  How are Lovelace and Presbyterian health insurance (with their APS package) involved in this deal?
Permalink Reply by JMG on February 7, 2011 at 9:12pm

From the APS website FAQ about this (notice #14 does not disclose that it is a private corporation doing this testing):

Questions and Answers

Answers to questions you might have about the Know Your Numbers: Next Steps Biometric Screening Incentive Program

Know Your NumbersSelect a Question:


1.  What is a biometric screening?

A biometric screening provides a detailed assessment of your basic health indicators such as:

  • Blood pressure
  • Body Mass Index (calculated from height and weight)
  • Cholesterol
  • Blood Glucose and
  • Pulse/Heart rate

 

2.  Do I have to get this screening done?

APS employees who carry medical benefits through the district aren’t required to complete annual biometric screenings, but there is a financial incentive to do so. Beginning March 1, 2011, employees who haven’t completed a screening will pay an additional $20/month for their medical coverage.


3.  Does my spouse/domestic partner have to complete a biometric screening?

There also is a financial incentive for spouses/domestic partners who have medical coverage through APS to complete a biometric screening by Feb. 28. Those who don’t will pay an additional $20/month for medical coverage.


4. Do my kids have to have a biometric screening?

No. The financial incentive only applies to employees and their spouses/domestic partners.

5.  Do employees who aren’t insured through APS have to complete a biometric screening?

No, though we encourage employees to do so through their chosen health care provider in order to make sure they are addressing their health and wellness needs.


6.  Where do I have this screening done?

APS employees and their spouses/domestic partners who have health insurance through APS can participate in an upcoming on-site biometric screening at more than 100 APS locations. Dates, locations and appointments available on the APS Employee Wellness website at www.aps.edu/staff/employee-wellness/know-your-numbers.

 

7. What if I’d rather have the screening done through my doctor?

Another option is to have a biometric screening completed as part of a wellness checkup through your doctor. This needs to be done by Feb. 28, 2011. A checklist to bring to your doctor to assure you have all the required tests is available hereThis is a link to a PDF file..

8. What if I already had these tests done earlier this year?  

If you already had a biometric screening that included all the required tests completed as part of a wellness checkup after July 1, 2010, you will receive the financial incentive. Your health plan will be sending you acknowledgment of your visit.

9.  Can any employee sign up for the school and work-site screenings?

No. These clinics are only for employees and spouses/domestic partners who have medical benefits through APS. 


10.  What if I don’t have the screening done by Feb. 28, 2011?

If you have APS medical benefits, you will be charged an additional $20 a month for the remainder of the plan year, which ends Dec. 31, 2011. The same applies to your spouse, which means your cost of health care benefits could increase by $40 a month.


11.  Why is APS recommending these screenings?

The simple answer is we want our employees to live long, healthy lives. Biometric screenings allow employees to learn about their current health status, and determine risks for common diseases including diabetes, heart disease and other medical conditions. Health care professionals at the school and work-site clinics or an employee’s doctor can review the results of the screening and recommend further tests, a treatment plan or a wellness program.


12.  How long do these screenings take?

Normally, the screening takes about 30 minutes. 


13.  How is the screening performed?

  • The blood pressure screening is completed with a standard blood pressure check.
  • The blood glucose and cholesterol screenings are performed with a "finger-stick.”
  • Patients are required to fast for eight to 12 hours before having blood drawn.  Patients should drink plenty of water and take their medications during their fast.


14.  Who performs these screenings?

They are performed by registered nurses and/or licensed practical nurses. Qualified health care professionals also will be available at the APS clinics to go over results and recommend next steps for the patient’s well-being.
Permalink Reply by ramon t on February 7, 2011 at 10:04pm
I get your issues, but why does it matter that Maxim is a for-profit company? Is APS only supposed to do business with non-profit companies?

I have seen and read that a lot of companies are going to this model.
Permalink Reply by JMG on February 7, 2011 at 10:25pm

It bothers me because APS shouldn't have to pay an outside corporation to provide a "wellness" program.  It bothers me because everything about this "program" is such an insultingly obvious misrepresentation.  We pay taxes for APS.  Employees pay high premiums for health insurance.  I don't understand why employees are being strong-armed into submitting to these highly inaccurate tests by an outside company.  Tests, by the way, that are marketed by this same company.  This company, that is often hired to provide flu shots for employee wellness programs but APS didn't apparently buy that part.  

Otherwise, yeah, this is a great model! ;) 

Permalink Reply by JMG on February 7, 2011 at 10:29pm
Kitson, all other "issues" aside, be sure to have any finger-stick rapid tests redone by a venipuncture sample read by a real lab. 
Permalink Reply by JMG on February 7, 2011 at 10:47pm

The finger-stick rapid test conducted by Maxim Health Systems is also marketed by them.  My husband's test from Maxim showed abnormal results.  He went to his doctor a couple of days later (after fasting again overnight) and got very different, normal results from our local lab, Tricore.

 

I don't know why APS and Sandia are paying an outside company to use their own "mall health fair" tests and providing this company with workplace access to employees.  And threatening higher insurance fees for employees who don't test.  I don't think this is how an organization usually goes about encouraging "wellness," but maybe I'm just nuts?

Permalink Reply by JMG on February 7, 2011 at 11:09pm
Correction: the finger-stick blood test used by Maxim is from Cholestech.  I don't know what relationship Maxim has with Cholestech.  I am looking into whether the Presbyterian and Lovelace Health plans are paying for this company to come into workplaces and to use this test and why they don't use the local reference lab instead.
Permalink Reply by Kenny on February 8, 2011 at 7:02am
Follow the money. It's always about the money.

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