Implementing 8-Hour Leave
Incentive for Completing an
HRA & Physical Exam
Courtney Greenberg, M.Ed., CHES
DSHS Worksite Wellness Coordinator
courtney.greenberg@dshs.state.tx.us
512-458-7111 ext. 6906
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House Bill 1297
Gaining Support/Updating Wellness Policy
Health Risk Assessments
Developing Appropriate Forms
Communication to Employees
Common Questions
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House Bill 1297
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Sec. 664.061. AGENCY WELLNESS POLICIES. A state agency may:
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(1) allow each employee 30 minutes during normal working hours for
exercise three times each week;
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(2) allow all employees to attend on-site wellness seminars when
offered; and
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(3) provide eight hours of additional leave time each
year to an employee who:
 (A) receives a physical examination; and
 (B) completes either an online health risk
assessment tool provided by the board or a similar
health risk assessment conducted in person by a
worksite wellness coordinator.
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Get Upper Mgmt Support/Update the
Wellness Policy
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Get buy-in from executive management
The wellness policy should:
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Define the Health Risk Assessment and Physical
Examination guidelines
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What is a Health Risk Assessment (HRA)?
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The HRA provides an individual with information on his/her
overall health status. It provides the individual with tips for
making healthy changes, increases awareness for previously
unidentified risks and reinforces healthy choices.
What counts as a physical exam?
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The Physical Exam consists of a detailed medical history, physical
examination, and age- and sex-appropriate counseling and
screening tests. It is a customized exam that includes provision of
evidence-based counseling and screening tests based on the
patient’s health status, risk factors and personal and family history.
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DSHS Policy
(regarding HRA and PE)
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Health Risk Assessments and Routine Physical Examinations
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Agencies should encourage employees to annually complete a Health Risk Assessment
(HRA) and receive routine physical examinations.
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An employee will be allowed to devote a percentage of his or her time on the job to
complete an agency approved HRA if it is available online or is otherwise provided at
the employee’s work location.
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An employee may be awarded eight hours of wellness leave (emergency leave) per
fiscal year as a participation incentive if he or she completes:
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the agency approved HRA
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a routine physical examination
The employee is advised to first complete the agency approved HRA and then provide the
results to his or her primary care provider during the routine physical examination.
To receive the eight hours of wellness leave, the employee must provide the following
documents to the supervisor:
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an agency-approved form substantiating the employee’s completion of an HRA; and
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acceptable documentation of completion of the routine physical examination from the
employee’s primary care provider. After viewing this documentation, the supervisor
returns the original and any copies to the employees. Note: The supervisor must not
request additional medical information from the employee.
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DSHS Policy
(regarding HRA and PE)
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Requesting Wellness Leave
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An employee may be awarded eight hours of wellness leave (emergency leave) per
fiscal year as a participation incentive if he or she completes:
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the agency approved HRA
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a routine physical examination
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The eight hours of wellness leave:
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may be taken in any 15 minute increment,
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must be used within 12 months of the award, and
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is prorated for part-time employees.
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To request the eight hours of wellness leave, the employee uses the leave request
screen on the accessHR portal. The employee uses the Time Reporting Code of
EMGNY (for Emergency Leave) and the Override Reason Code of WNSLV (for
Wellness Leave).
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Health Risk Assessment
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Accessed through insurance provider’s
website
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Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas
HealthSelect: http://www.bcbstx.com/hs/
Community First: http://my.healthmedia.com/
Scott and White: https://swhpah.swhp.org/
Paper HRA
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Developing Forms
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HRA_PE Affidavit Form
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Form the employee turns into supervisor
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HRA_PE Affidavit Instructions
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Signed by doctor & includes documentation of completed HRA
Instructions on how to qualify for the 8-hour leave
incentive
FAQs
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Communicating to Employees
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Email notification from COO:
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On October 20, 2008, the worksite wellness policy was revised in the Health and Human Services Human Resources Manual (Chapter 8,
Section K). The revised worksite wellness policy authorizes each agency to provide eight hours of wellness (emergency) leave for
employees who complete a health risk assessment (HRA) and receive a routine physical exam. Click on the links below to access the
necessary forms and instructions related to the eight-hour wellness leave.
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HRA and Physical Exam Incentive Process Instructions:
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http://online.dshs.state.tx.us/bht/HRA_PE_Affidavit_instructions.pdf
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Completed HRA and Physician’s Certification of Routine Physical Exam Affidavit:
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http://online.dshs.state.tx.us/bht/HRA_PE_Affidavit.pdf
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HRA Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs):
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http://online.dshs.state.tx.us/bht/HRA_PE_faq.pdf
All DSHS employees are encouraged to take advantage of this beneficial wellness opportunity! If you have any questions about the
affidavit or instructions, please contact Courtney Greenberg, DSHS Worksite Wellness Coordinator, at 512-458-7111, ext. 6906 or
by email at Courtney.Greenberg@dshs.state.tx.us.
For more information on DSHS Worksite Wellness programs, please visit the Building Healthy Texans website.
Thank you.
Dee Porter, COO
Posted on internal wellness website
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Common Questions
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