AUGUSTA, ME and BRENTWOOD, TN--(Marketwire - Feb 4, 2013) - Onlife Health, Inc., a national wellness company dedicated to transforming lives through healthier living, and the Maine Education Association Benefits Trust (MEABT), a not-for-profit, employee welfare benefit plan dedicated to the health of Maine public school employees and their families, today announced they have partnered to provide wellness programs and services for employees in 600 schools in Maine. The Live On Wellness program created by Onlife Health is now available to 54,000 school employees and their eligible dependents across the state.
"With hectic and highly-structured schedules, many teachers find it difficult to focus on their own health and wellness," said Christine F. Burke, Executive Director of MEABT. "By partnering with Onlife Health to offer an integrated wellness plan, MEABT can ensure that Maine's public school teachers and personnel will continue to be role models for their students not just in the classroom but also by leading healthy lifestyles."
MEABT said that in the first three months employees have completed more than 9,000 wellness courses and that many are already consulting with a health coach about reaching wellness goals.
Onlife Health's Live On Wellness program is available to active and retired employees, teachers, related personnel and their dependents who are covered by the MEABT health insurance plan. Participants in the program begin their wellness journey by completing a health assessment that provides instant recognition of the individual's status related to health risks and lifestyle habits as well as guidance and resources in areas to improve.
Depending on participants' preferences, they can then complete self-directed courses online, track activities related to exercise and daily fruit and vegetable consumption, or join a variety of online challenges including a daily steps competition using a pedometer supplied by MEABT and Onlife. Onlife Health Coaches are also available to work directly with individuals to help guide, motivate and keep participants accountable for making and sustaining healthy changes. As they work to reach their goals, participants earn points that can be redeemed for pre-paid debit cards, valued at up to $150.
To help provide a more accurate picture of the person's overall health, including risk for certain diseases and medical conditions, Onlife Health brings the participant's healthcare provider into their overall wellness plan. Individuals can elect to complete a biometric screening with their primary care physician who, after analyzing the results, completes a form that Onlife uses to update the participant's health assessment with the recent screening data.
"Onlife Health provides comprehensive, customizable and user-friendly wellness programs that are designed to engage and challenge participants of all ages, in diverse geographic locations, in entertaining ways," said Jed Dodd, CEO of Onlife Health. "We are proud to be working with MEABT to help the organization achieve its goal of creating healthier employees, reducing healthcare costs and promoting wellness in communities throughout Maine."
About Maine Association Benefits Trust
Established in 1993, and headquartered in Augusta, Maine, the MEABT is a not-for-profit, employee welfare benefit plan dedicated to the health of Maine public school employees and their families. A seven member Board of Trustees -- all current or retired public school employees -- governs the health insurance plan which provides coverage to approximately 65,000 individuals in the State of Maine, including active teachers, retired teachers, related personnel and their dependents. The plan, which includes medical, pharmacy and wellness benefits, is available to members through bargaining between their local Maine Education Association Union and their employer.
About Onlife Health, Inc.
Onlife Health is a national wellness company dedicated to transforming lives through healthier living. With more than 15 years of industry experience, Onlife fosters highly personalized, sustained engagement that begins with a deep understanding of each client's unique wellness goals and culture. Combining the use of a dedicated health coach, support communities, onsite events and the latest online technologies, Onlife creates a tailored program based on individual clients' and employees' needs. For more information, visit www.onlifehealth.com.