March 25, 2009

Re: Personal Health Profile Campaign and Contest

Dear Health and Welfare Fund Participant,

As we begin 2009, we are challenged with changing the way we think about health care. It’s not news that the cost of healthcare is skyrocketing while at the same time quality healthcare is declining. The trustees of the Fund invite you to join us as we implement initiatives designed to build a “culture of health” and stem the skyrocketing costs of what many are now referring to as “sick care” rather than health care.

In June of 2008, we invited 70 members to participate in one of 3 focus groups to explore “wellness initiatives.” The participants liked the idea and wanted us to move ahead in developing and implementing alternative, proactive and preventive programs.

Encouraged by the feedback from the focus groups, the trustees appointed a Wellness Director. Now, we invite you to join us in determining what role wellness will play in your benefit package. But, first we must assess your health needs. To assist us in achieving that goal, Independence Blue Cross has a “Personal Health Profile (PHP)” which you can take, on line.

In exchange for our Health and Welfare Fund achieving specific wellness milestones, Independence Blue Cross gave us a modest reduction in our premium in 2008. This enabled the fund to eliminate your payroll deduction for the last months of 2008. To keep the reduction, a percentage of our fund participants must complete the profile (PHP). We will use that reduction for incentives and to implement alternative wellness programs. The profiles will tell us what programs our members need. Once designed, the programs will be in addition to your current benefit package and will contain incentives.

To date the Fund has done three things:

1. appointed a Wellness Director

2. planned the Health Fairs described in the enclosed notice

3. set aside money from our reserves to encourage you and any covered dependent who is 18 years of age or older to complete the Personal Health Profile. Once you or any eligible dependent has completed your profile, you will be able to immediately print out a certificate of completion. That certificate should be faxed to 215-545-7052 or returned to AFSCME DC 47 Health and Welfare Fund for inclusion in drawings for cash awards. Your name will be entered in the drawing held in the month immediately following the month in which your certificate is received. Twenty (20) $100 gift cards will be awarded each month beginning in June 2009 through April 2010. Twenty (20) $500 grand prize gift cards from among all entrants will be awarded during May 2010.

To get started, log on to www.ibx.com to complete the profile. Select Healthy Lifestyles, and then choose the Personal Health Profile Link. Create your unique user ID and password. You can complete the profile at home, at our office, or on your work computer. If you are using your work computer, let your supervisor know since the Union has obtained approval for you to use work time to complete the profile.

As required by law, all individual information will be kept confidential by Independence Blue Cross. The Fund will receive aggregate information for the entire group.

The success of this program rests with each individual member. Let’s get started now.

Should you have any questions or need any assistance in completing the profile, Bob McAllister, our Health and Welfare Fund administrator, can be reached at 215-893-3771.

On behalf of your Health and Welfare Fund trustees, we wish you a year of prosperity and good health.

Yours truly, Yours truly, Yours truly,

Cathy Scott Bob McAllister Rita Urwitz

Chair Administrator Wellness Director