Acting City Manager Calls Asbury Park's Participation in NJ Well a "Win Win"

Asbury Park has been the first of several local municipalities to participate in Soul Focus Health and Wellness Center’s initiative to help state employees comply with the NJ Well program. This innovative program, which was incorporated into the State Health Benefits Program (SHBP) and the School Employees’ Health Benefits Program (SEHBP) insurance coverage in 2014, offers active state employees monetary incentives and the promise of reduced premiums to take a more active role in both understanding and improving their health.

“It’s a win win for everyone,” according to Tony Nuccio, Acting City Manager of Asbury Park when asked about the program and city employees who take advantage of the health screenings being conducted by Soul Focus. “It’s great that our employees can identify any health needs they may have and it’s good for the city because if employees can actively address preventable problems, it can save taxpayers on healthcare costs in the long run.”

The screenings being conducted in Asbury Park and other upcoming local municipalities by Soul Focus Wellness Center, located in Eatontown, NJ, are designed to help state employees complete and navigate the computer requirements and satisfy the blood-work component needed to obtain enough points for the minimum visa gift card offered through the NJ Well program.

According to the Department of Treasury Division of Pension and Benefits, “employees and their covered spouses/partners will each receive a gift card when they earn Wellness Points by participating in both a physician Biometric Screening and Health Assessment. All information is confidentially collected and stored by the participant’s health plan and the results are provided only to the participant; by law, they cannot be shared with an employer.”

These tests include basic blood work for glucose and cholesterol levels, as well as measuring blood pressure, height, weight, BMI (body mass index) and more. The blood tests will be finalized by LabCorp and participating state employees are welcome to a copy for their primary physicians. After the initial stage is completed, state employees can comply with additional requirements and qualify for even more NJ Well cash rewards by completing various other health incentives through their online portal.

“It is so encouraging that Asbury Park is participating in this ground-breaking new state program that when implemented, will not only save on healthcare costs, it will also help put people on a path to a healthier life,” explains Dr. Raj Gupta, owner of Soul Focus Wellness Center. “This program makes it clear just how much health insurance companies and employers are starting to understand the message both traditional and alternative medical professionals have been saying. It’s clear that people need to think about, and take a more active role in, their health before they get sick.”

For more information, or if you or a loved one are an active NJ Police Officer, Fireman, Teacher, DOT employee, and would like a FREE health screening, please call Soul Focus at (732) 935-1000 ext. 1 and make an appointment.