Well-being Programs
Accolade advocacy services launched on January 1, 2020. The City of Seattle has partnered with Accolade to provide personalized support to make healthcare easier for employees and covered family members on the "Most" benefit plans.* Accolade's team of Health Assistants offers help with health or benefits questions, big or small. A dedicated Health Assistant will get to know the employee and understand their needs. Health Assistants partner with a team of doctors, nurses, and benefits specialists to assist employees in making better health decisions, navigating the healthcare system, and getting the most from their benefits.
Not available to employees on the Local 27, Local 77, and SPOG benefit programs, Seattle Housing Authority employees, or COBRA participants
To connect with an Accolade Health Assistant:
- Call 1 (866) 540-5418 Monday thru Friday, 5:00 am to 8:00 pm
- Visit the online portal at member.accolade.com to send a secure message, or
- Download the Accolade mobile app to connect with a Health Assistant.
Employees can ask the Health Assistant questions like these:
- Can you help me find an in-network provider?
- What questions should I ask my doctor?
- What other benefit programs might help me?
- I was diagnosed with diabetes - now what?
- Can you help me understand my claim/bill?
For more information about Accolade services
2nd.MD helps you and your covered family members to get a second opinion – at no cost to you! Get virtual expert medical consultation from a board-certified, elite doctor from a top medical institution. If you have questions about a diagnosis, treatment option, surgery, or medication connect with a specialist to get advice.
2nd.MD Helps by:
- Connecting you to the right specialist for your condition or concern
- Collecting your medical records
- Setting up a convenient phone or video consultation within days
- Providing you with more peace of mind about your medical decisions
Activate your 2nd.MD account so that you have access to an expert when you need it:
- Download the 2nd.MD Mobile app on your personal phone or device
- Connect online at: https://www.2nd.md/cityofseattle
- Call 2nd.MD at 1 (866) 537-1324
For More Information:
Reach: A Well-Being Program for You
Reach is a well-being and engagement platform available to employees and spouses/domestic partners on the "Most" benefits program* to support physical, emotional, financial, social and work well-being.
Reach combines useful tools, educational content, and social support to help you attain your goals and thrive. Whether you wish to boost your energy and fitness, feel more balanced, build resiliency, manage your finances, or strengthen relationships, Reach has something to offer you with a whole-person approach.
To explore your interests with the Reach program, go to cityofseattle.limeade.com and register or download the Limeade One app and enter the City of Seattle code: seattle.
Here's what you can do with Reach:
- Explore your personal well-being interests at your own pace
- Join activities designed to build healthy habits
- Complete the well-being assessment to learn about your strengths and areas of improvement
- Connect your fitness devices and apps to easily track well-being on the go
- Participate in team activities and connect with other City employees
For more information:
The Employee Assistance Program (EAP) supports all City of Seattle employees in dealing with personal issues and mental health concerns. Employees' mental, psychological and social well-being is a priority in the City and as important as physical health. Confidential and professional help is available 24/7 online (Login: city of seattle; Password: city of seattle) and by phone at 1 (888) 272-7252 1 (888) 879-8274 (TTY). The City provides (EAP) services to regular and temporary employees and their household members through Resources for Living, at no cost.
| New - Support for Those Affected by Current Events in Israel: See the support flyer from Resources for Living EAP. The EAP is available for all City of Seattle employees at (888) 272-7252 (TTY: 711). |
Resources for Living program information
Resources for Living provides free professional counseling, support, and referrals for help with:
- Anxiety
- Relationships
- Stress
- Depression
- Grief
- Eldercare
- Financial or legal problems
- Alcohol or drug problems
- Eating disorders
- Critical incidents or catastrophes
- Job-related problems or co-worker conflict
- Gambling or other addictive behaviors
Resources for Living 1 (888) 272-7252 1 (888) 879-8274 (TTY) www.resourcesforliving.com Login: city of seattle Password: city of seattle
Counseling help
Employees can call 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year, and reach a counselor through Resources for Living. It's free for employees and their household members, for up to six in-person counseling visits per issue, per year. After the initial six in-person or televideo visits, if ongoing counseling is advisable and is considered "medically necessary" under the medical plan, the employee will be referred in consideration of their medical coverage. If it is not considered medically necessary, the employee can continue seeing the Resources for Living counselor at the employee's own expense.
Each member can also receive, in place of or in combination with the counseling sessions described above, six online chat or video-based counseling sessions per issue per year with a dedicated licensed therapist with TalkSpace therapy. Video sessions are thirty minutes in length and one week of text equals one therapy session. To access TalkSpace,
- Log in to www.resourcesforliving.com Login: city of seattle Password: city of seattle. Go to Services > Talkspace online therapy and select "Sign up for Talkspace".
- Tell us your unique needs and preferences for therapy.
- You'll be shown three potential providers based on your preferences.
- Choose a therapist and begin messaging the same day.
- Remember: there is no limit to the number of messages you can send your therapist each day.
The City gives employees up to six hours of paid time off to attend EAP counseling sessions during any calendar year (not charged to sick leave or vacation). Employees must receive advance approval from their supervisor and can use a maximum of two hours at any one time. Employees do not need to share their reason for using EAP services, but they may need to request an appointment verification from their counselor if the supervisor requests. An employee also can schedule their appointments for non-work hours.
Other services and resources
Employees and their household members can also access financial consultations , legal consultations , and work/life resources through Resources for Living.
Complete confidentiality
Employee confidentiality is protected in accordance with public law. Resources for Living EAP will not provide supervisors or any other City employee with any individual's EAP information.
Hinge Health helps employees and their dependents with back or joint pain. Support for knee, back, shoulder, hip, and neck pain is offered digitally and at your own pace. This coach-led program is available with no out-of-pocket cost to those on a "Most" Aetna or Kaiser Permanente plan.*
*Not available to employees on the Local 27, Local 77, and SPOG benefit programs, Seattle Housing Authority employees, or COBRA participants.
Hinge Health is for chronic back/joint pain, acute pain management due to a recent injury, pre- or post-surgery support, women's pelvic health, and prevention. For chronic pain, virtual physical therapy is offered along with a coach, app-based exercise therapy, and expert medical opinion (as needed). Interested members can complete an online assessment to determine which program best meets their needs. Whether you have long-term knee pain from repetitive work, nagging back pain from prolonged sitting, or weakened pelvic floor from pregnancy, Hinge Health can help.
Empowering Results. Participants report significant reduction in pain, improvements in depression scores, and increased mobility without the need for surgery or time-consuming physical therapy appointments.
To enroll in a Hinge Health program, go to hingehealth.com/cityofseattle.
The Acute Program:
- A 1:1 video visit with a licensed physical therapist ·
- An individualized care plan
- Customized exercise and psychosocial recommendations
The Chronic Program (12 weeks):
- A free tablet computer and wearable sensors to guide participants through personalized exercise therapy
- Unlimited 1-on-1 health coaching with certified professionals to help set goals, motivate and monitor progress
- Weekly education that walks through challenges or misconceptions and introduces treatment options ·
- A Hinge Health Enso pain relief device (30 - 40% of chronic program members will be eligible). Enso is a non-addictive and non-invasive technology to address muscle and joint pain.
The Surgery Program:
- Continues care with the same physical therapist (most surgery program participants come from the chronic program)
- Reports sent to the member's provider on their condition and progress
- Wearable sensors and a tablet for exercise therapy
- Rehabilitation exercises for pre- and post-surgery
Women's Pelvic Health Program:
- Personalized exercise for pregnancy, postpartum, bladder control, and more
- One-on-one appointments with a specialized clinical care team
- Access from home, on your schedule
Expert Medical Opinion:
- A call with an orthopedic specialist to take a medical history and start the process for records request
- An expert medical opinion report
- Seamless transition to another Hinge Health program for referred members
For more information:
The City of Seattle will help employees with the cost of selected weight-loss solutions. Save 50 percent on WeightWatchers programs, and get an additional $30 reimbursement each year for attending meetings at the recommendation of the employee's physician. Regular City employees and covered dependents age 18 and over with City medical coverage may enroll.
Enroll in a WeightWatchers program at ww.com/us/cityofseattle with Employer ID: 62344, Employer Passcode: WW62344. Enter the Employee Number, the last four numbers of the participant's Social Security number, and credit card information. The address for all City of Seattle WeightWatchers members is 700 Fifth Avenue, Seattle WA 98104. Problems using the site? Please call the WeightWatchers Hotline at (866) 204-2885.
Want to quit tobacco? We want to help. The Quit for Life program includes phone-based sessions with a professional coach, recommendations for medications like nicotine replacement, and a Quit Guide. It's free for City employees and adult dependents covered on a City medical plan.
- How the program works
- Call tips
- Positive effects of quitting smoking
- How employees can help friends and family
Quit for Life program information
Stopping tobacco use is very hard. The City's Quit for Life program can help an employee quit tobacco, even if the employee has tried before and didn't quit for good. Regardless of where the employee is in the process, Quit for Life can help.
Quit for Life is one of the most successful tobacco treatment programs available. Employees will get help identifying what has worked for them in the past and what hasn't, and then create a quit plan that includes:
- one-on-one phone-based sessions
- toll-free telephone access to Quit Coaches
- recommendations for medications like the nicotine patch or gum
- delivery of recommended nicotine replacement products (such as the patch, gum, or lozenge)
- a Quit Guide to help the employee stay on track
The City of Seattle pays the full cost of the program for regular employees and covered adult dependents. To enroll call 1-866-QUIT-4-LIFE (1 (866) 784-8454
Seminars and Webinars
Employees can access health information such as starting a walking program, tips for getting their family active, nutrition, and additional topics. Health promotion seminars and webinar dates are posted throughout the year on the Benefits Calendar.
Example sessions
- Stress Management & Resilience
- Making Tax Returns Less Taxing
- Wellness for Busy People
- Retirement Planning
Flu Shot and COVID-19 Vaccination Program
The flu vaccine protects employee, their family members, and co-workers. The flu shot program schedule for employees is posted on the Benefits Calendar during September - November.
Mental Health Resources
Get emotional support in person or without leaving home. Use your computer, internet connection and webcam to talk with a professional counselor in real time or make an appointment to meet in person. City of Seattle employees and their covered family members have options through their medical plan or the Employee Assistance Program. See the "Know Your Resources" infographic here and connect with a counselor. Below are additional resources through the medical plans.
- Teladoc Behavioral Health Services ("Most" Aetna plans)
- Aetna AbleTo Support (All Aetna plans)
- MyStrength (All Kaiser Permanente plans)
- Kaiser Permanente Mental Health and Wellness (All Kaiser plans)
Teladoc
Employees have access to a doctor 24 hours, 7 days a week with Teladoc*. They can be treated for health issues, including cold and flu symptoms, allergies, and skin problems. Employees can also use their membership to establish an ongoing relationship with a licensed therapist through video sessions. Get support for anxiety, eating disorders, depression, grief, family difficulties, and more.
Employees can set up an account by web, phone, or mobile app at Teladoc.com/Aetna or 1-855-Teladoc (835-2362). Look for the Teladoc app in the Apple Store or Google Play.
*For employees and family members on the Most benefit program. Not available to employees on the SPOG, Local 77, Local 27 benefit programs, or Kaiser Permanente members.
24-Hour Nurse Consultation
If an employee has questions about a medical condition, then the employee and their covered dependents can consult a nurse 24/7 by phone.
- Accolade: 1 (866) 540-5418*
- Aetna's Informed Health Line: 1 (800) 556-1555**
- Kaiser Permanente's Consulting Nurse Services:
- Seattle: (206) 901-2244
- Tacoma: (253) 596-3400
- All other areas: 1 (800) 297-6877
*For employees and family members on the Most benefit program, Aetna plans.
**For employees and family members on the SPOG or Local 77 benefit program, Aetna plans.
Chronic Condition Management Programs
Accolade
Accolade's Registered Nurse Care Managers offer clinical support for members with chronic conditions. Care Managers develop care plans and identify gaps in care for members newly diagnosed and for existing conditions. Clinical support is available for members, family and caregivers at 1 (866) 540-5418 or member.accolade.com for treatment education, preparation for upcoming visits and assistance with reaching healthcare goals.
Aetna
Aetna Health Connections** addresses 37 chronic diseases and conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, cancer, arthritis, low back pain, obesity, migraines, and asthma. An employee or their doctor can refer the employee for Health Connections participation. Requests may be submitted through the Aetna Navigator website at www.aetnanavigator.com, to Aetna patient management staff, or by submitting medical or pharmacy claims data. Employees can also enroll by calling 1 (866) 269-4500.
Kaiser Permanente
Kaiser Permanente's chronic disease management intervention is focused on the chronic care received by patients with one of five chronic conditions: diabetes, congestive heart failure, coronary artery disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and asthma. Along with receiving integrated care, patients may attend Living Well with Chronic Conditions or Living Well with Diabetes workshops.
* For employees and family members on the Most benefit program, Aetna plan.
**For employees and family members on the SPOG or Local 77 benefit program, Aetna plans.
Maternity Support Programs
Accolade
Whether an employee is starting a family or growing one, they probably have a lot of questions. Members* can enroll in Accolade's Maternity Program and gain access to a dedicated Nurse to guide them through the entire pregnancy. The Accolade Maternity Nurses share free educational resources, provide tips for expectant moms, and can even answer fertility questions. Call 1 (866) 540-5418 or connect online at member.accolade.com.
Aetna
Visit the Maternity Support Center** on Aetna.com for information on planning for baby, choosing a care team, pregnancy, delivering baby, bringing baby home, and maternal care. If an employee has questions, they can contact Member Services at 1 (866) 983-0051.
Kaiser Permanente
Kaiser Permanente's pregnancy services are designed to give plenty of options to meet individual preferences and needs, whether an employee is trying to get pregnant or is already pregnant. Whether an employee wants to give birth in a hospital or home, a full range of healthcare professionals are available to make the process as easy, stress-free, and safe as possible for the employee and their baby. Contact Kaiser about options at 1 (888) 901-4636 * For employees and family members on the Most benefit program, Aetna plans.** For employees and family members on the SPOG or Local 77 benefit program, Aetna plans.