Health & Wellness Incentive Reimbursement Pilot Program
Binghamton University is on a mission to be the healthiest campus in the country. A healthy campus promotes and encourages a culture where the healthy choice is the easy choice. Offering faculty and staff cost-effective wellness programs that support healthier choices, particularly around physical activity, can significantly improve the health and well-being of our campus community.
In support of the University-wide B-Healthy initiative, Campus Recreation has developed the Health & Wellness Incentive Reimbursement Pilot Program. This pilot program will allow University benefit-eligible faculty and staff* (see Eligibility) to apply for a 50% reimbursement of their Academic Annual Fitness Membership fee after completing a set number of exercise sessions (38) within the membership time period.
In order to be eligible for the reimbursement, program participants must pay member fees in full at the start of the membership period.
Once the program participant has met the session requirements after at least six months, he or she can start the reimbursement claim process:
- Complete and submit the verification form
- Provide proof of membership fee payment
- Provide verification of exercise sessions (available through Campus Recreation)
Reimbursements will be processed within 30 days of receipt. Any reimbursed amount may be considered income and subject to state and federal taxes.
Eligibility
The Health and Wellness Incentive Reimbursement Pilot Program is currently open to University benefit-eligible faculty and staff (temporary hourly University employees are not eligible for this pilot program). Binghamton University Dining, Barnes & Noble and Campus Pre-School employees are also eligible for this pilot program. Research Foundation employees are not eligible for this program since they presently have a similar program available.
If you are unsure about your eligibility status for this pilot program, we encourage you to call Sara DeClemente-Hammoud with Human Resources at (607) 777-4939 for clarification BEFORE purchasing your fitness membership.
Program Benefits
Benefits to participating in an employee fitness reimbursement program may include improved physical and mental health, improved productivity, increased job satisfaction and lower personal medical costs. One recent study found that employees who participated in a similar program exercised three times as often as those who did not participate and were twice as likely to maintain their exercise routine after the membership term ended.
