Wellness Programs & Surcharges

To satisfy the wellness requirement, you (and if applicable, your spouse or domestic partner) must:*

First, complete a physical exam between July 1 and June 30 in one of two ways:

1. 1. Schedule an appointment with your primary care physician (PCP).
   2. Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) members can use the Catapult Health VirtualCheckup® Home Kit – the cost is 100% covered by Michaels! For more details, refer to the section below.

Then, submit your proof of exam documentation to insurance to waive your surcharge for the following plan year.

*If you were hired July 1 or later in the current plan year, please refer to the next section for information about one-time exceptions for new hires.

Example: You complete your annual physical exam on Aug. 2, 2023 and submit proof of your exam to insurance on Jan. 12, 2024, satisfying the wellness requirement. As a result, your surcharge is waived for the next plan year that goes from July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025, lowering your annual premium cost for that plan year.

There are exceptions to the wellness requirement for Team Members who begin their employment with Michaels after the current plan year has already begun.

For a Start Date of Feb. 1 or Later

You (and if applicable, your spouse or domestic partner) are exempt from the wellness requirement for the current plan year (through June 30) and the surcharge will automatically be waived.

For a Start Date from July 1 – Jan. 30

To satisfy the wellness requirement and have your surcharge waived for the current plan year, you (and if applicable, your spouse or domestic partner) can submit proof of a physical exam that was completed:

1. with another provider prior to the Team Member’s employment with Michaels, and
2. no earlier than July 1 of the year leading up to the Team Member’s employment with Michaels.

Example: You start working at Michaels on Oct. 15, 2023. You have a physical exam on Aug. 2, 2023. On Jan. 12, 2024, you submit proof of your exam, satisfying the Wellness Requirement and waiving your surcharge for the current plan year.

If you are enrolled in a BCBSTX medical plan, Michaels provides a convenient annual checkup at no cost to you using the Catapult Health VirtualCheckup® Home Kit. Getting a FREE preventive health checkup has never been easier, and a Catapult virtual exam counts toward your wellness requirement!

All covered employees and their spouse or domestic partner can register for a Home Kit. The cost of your VirtualCheckup® is covered 100% by Michaels.

Once you complete your Home Kit, you will review your results with a board-certified Nurse Practitioner via a virtual consultation and develop a personal action plan.

Your wellness exam claim will automatically be processed by BCBSTX after your appointment. Once processed, your exam completion status will be reflected in the Well onTarget section of the BlueAccess for Members portal. In the portal, you can also access other historical data about your participation in the available wellness programs.

Refer to the job aid below for instructions on how to log in to the BlueAccess for Members portal to confirm the status of your wellness requirement.

Job Aid

• How to Confirm the Status of Your Wellness Requirement: Desktop | Mobile App

Once you have scheduled your wellness exam with your primary care physician (PCP), log in to the US Wellness portal to download/print the Physician Form and take it to your appointment.

After your appointment, upload the completed Physician Form to the US Wellness portal by June 30. You can upload the form using your desktop, tablet, or mobile device. Receipt of your form will be confirmed within two (2) business days to the email address provided at the time of upload.

Refer to the job aid below for instructions on how to download/print your Physician Form and upload your completed document in the US Wellness portal to complete your wellness requirement.

Job Aid

• How to Download/Print the Physician Form & Complete Your Wellness Requirement

For assistance with this process, email US Wellness at support@uswellness.com or call 888-926-6099 ext. 900.

You will select your tobacco-free or tobacco-use status when you enroll in your benefits each year, and you can only update your status during the enrollment period.

To be considered tobacco-free, you can’t use tobacco products for at least six (6) months. Tobacco use includes the use of e-cigarettes and non-nicotine vaporizers.

A Tobacco Cessation Program is available for Team Members who are enrolled in a BCBSTX medical plan. Choose an option below to access additional information about the program.

1. Log in to your BCBSTX account.
2. Visit the Well onTarget website and either register for an account or log in using your BCBSTX credentials.