HMSA offering online health test

The program assesses lifestyle and provides wellness programs

Hawaii Medical Service Association members can now find out how healthy their lifestyles are without leaving home.

HMSA has initiated an online health risk assessment program that can generate a person's health profile and offer a personal wellness action plan to address health risks.

The online health questionnaire, called Succeed, was developed by HealthMedia Inc., a national health behavior change company.

To access it, HMSA members should visit hmsa.com and click on "Health Risk Assessment." It takes about 30 minutes to complete, HMSA said.

Access to online tools, resources and interactive lifestyle-management programs will be provided with the action plan to help members improve their health.

Lifestyle-management programs, designed for use at home, include weight management, nutrition, smoking cessation and stress management.

Caryn Ireland, vice president of Integrated Services Inc., an HMSA subsidiary, said members eligible for HealthPass, HMSA's health promotion and prevention program, can schedule an appointment to have biometric screenings after completing the questionnaire.

"HealthPass is a wonderful benefit and each year more than 25,000 members take advantage of it," she said. The staff will measure blood pressure, height, weight, body mass index, blood cholesterol and blood sugar and do a body fat analysis, she said.

A health professional will go over screening results with the member, answer questions and discuss possible lifestyle changes.

The online health risk assessment is available year-round at no cost for HMSA members.

"With the right tools and motivation, you can succeed in making changes that will have a positive impact on your well-being and quality of life," Ireland said. "Our online health risk assessment is an excellent tool for busy people to use when they begin the journey of improving their lifestyle habits."