The benefits open enrollment period for endowed faculty and staff has begun, allowing you to change your health and dental plans and to enroll in a Select Benefits medical or dependent care account. Paul Bursic, director of Benefit Services, answers questions about one of the endowed health programs, the Cornell Program for Healthy Living (CPHL).

Is CPHL a fitness program or a health insurance program?

The CPHL is built on the Aetna PPO health plan model and offers everything the Aetna PPO plan does as a comprehensive health insurance plan for faculty, staff and their families. The key difference is that the CPHL takes the wellness exam to new heights. The wellness component is not just about exercise and fitness but it includes advice from your doctor about what levels of physical activity are appropriate for you.

Who can join?

Benefits eligible, endowed employees can join CPHL during open enrollment through Nov. 30.

If I enroll, can my family members join another Cornell health insurance program?

No. Family members will be enrolled in the same plan in which you enroll.

What are the advantages of the CPHL over HealthNow?

The CPHL works the same way the HealthNow plan operates, but with an enhanced wellness benefit. Like HealthNow, the CPHL will pay for medically necessary treatment delivered in-network as well as by out-of-network providers. But the provider listing for Aetna may be different from the HealthNow plan list. Check to make sure your preferred providers participate with Aetna before you change your health insurance plan.

Would my doctor spend more time with me if I am in the CPHL?

Yes, your doctor does spend more time with you during the annual wellness visit in the CPHL plan. Participating doctors are paid more by Cornell for the extra service and support they give you as you try to take control of your own life and work toward a healthy living lifestyle..

I'm not in the best of health. Should I join, or is this program primarily for those already physically fit? What if I don't like going to a gym?

People with health challenges should not hesitate about joining this program.

You don't need to go to a fitness center at all to build up your physical activity, but can stay active from simply walking more to participating in sporting activities. You should talk with your primary care physician to see what quality exercise you can get from activities you enjoy doing.

CPHL gives you the chance to understand what wellness means for you while also providing for your other medical needs.

What if I just can't stick with or have the time to follow the exercise or diet recommendations of my doctor?

The enhanced wellness features of the CPHL are voluntary. No one will check up on you to make sure you see your doctor about a wellness assessment and recommendations. Your doctor's help and support are there when you are ready to use them. Meanwhile, you still have your CPHL health insurance plan protection.

What if I live outside of Tompkins County?

Only primary care physicians based in Tompkins County have signed the CPHL contract to provide enhanced wellness services. In addition, physicians working at Guthrie Clinics outside the county participate.

In the future, we hope to extend the plan beyond its current boundaries. Until then, endowed faculty and staff eligible for health care are welcome to join the CPHL. You will need to use a participating doctor based in Ithaca for the enhanced wellness exams and support they can offer, but you could use another doctor in the Aetna network for other health care services.

If I'm interested, what do I do next?

Go to http://www.ohr.cornell.edu/benefits/openEnrollment.html. Check the list of primary care providers who participate in the CPHL. To enroll in the CPHL, you need to list your choice of primary care provider. Your participation in the CPHL will begin Jan. 1, 2010. Is there a better way to start a new decade?