Workshop: Wellness Works

The Smithfield-Selma Chamber will host a Wellness Works Workshop on Wednesday, December 12, 2012 at 9:00 a.m.  The workshop will be held at the Chamber office located at 1115 Industrial Park Drive in Smithfield.

WellnessWorks is a program that helps businesses and industries with their health care needs, especially those associated with workers' compensation. It also helps employees understand their medical benefits and helps them navigate the health care system.

So how can you use the service?

Frances Aulisio, healthcare educator and corporate consultant, says the nicest benefit is the help line. By calling 1-888-977-3319, a toll free number, employees can get answers about their benefits and get assistance with scheduling appointments. "The help line is open 24/7, which means you can call at 3 a.m. and the coordinator will make the appointment for you to see the provider as soon as possible," she says.

Aulisio says her company has reserved patient slots with providers in advance so that they can see WellnessWorks participants the same day, next day or two days out. "We also assist with getting you a referral, scheduling a follow-up appointment, direct you to screenings, and we can answer questions about your medical bills," she says.

"When you call, the help line coordinator will ask what services you're looking for, the name of your company and the plan in which you're enrolled. They'll also ask your name and date of birth," she says.

WellnessWorks has 80 participating providers. There's also a wellness and education feature to WellnessWorks.

Aulisio is available to do blood pressure screenings and to give health and wellness talks in departments anywhere within the Johnston Health organization. She also has fliers available on an array of health topics, including nutrition, exercise and healthful cooking tips. Those fliers are included below in links separated by months.

Aulisio plans to use the memo portion of electronic pay stubs to let employees know about upcoming health news and recipes. If you would like to know more about WellnessWorks or how to schedule a lunch-and-learn, you may call her at 938-7178. Her office is in the marketing and community relations department, which inside the medical mall on the campus of Johnston Medical Center-Smithfield.

"I look forward to assisting employees with their health care needs," she says. "Our mission is to improve the health of the people in our communities, and that includes our family here at Johnston Health."