LifeForce Phases

Progression through LifeForce

As you work toward the realistic and attainable goals established with the Peak Health nurse, you can advance to new phases and earn higher medical credits. The program advocates individual accountability for healthy lifestyle behaviors and rewards you for your efforts. Credits are awarded for Phases 2-5.

To determine your phase, the Peak Health nurse will assess your health through a series of tests and compare your results to the program's medical standards. These tests include lab work results, body composition, blood pressure, cardiorespiratory fitness, and resting heart rate.

The nurse also takes into consideration such factors as tobacco use, status and review of labs and age/gender exams, and progress toward goals, including follow-up with your medical provider if it's outlined as a goal.

Your total score on the medical standards determines your overall health status, your LifeForce phase, how soon the nurse would like to meet with you again, and the medical credit you qualify for.

And your medical and phase information is protected. See how in this Notice Regarding Wellness Program (PDF)

LifeForce benefits calculator

See how much in medical credits you can earn in your 2024 pay.

Credits calculator

LifeForce phase guide

Phase	Total score	General health status	Months until next visit	Medical credit earned
1	Less than 35	High health risk	4	No
2	35-47	Moderate health risk	4	Yes
3	48-69	Low health risk	4	Yes
4	70-91	Healthy	8	Yes
5	92-100	Very healthy	12	Yes

The total score is comprised of these outcomes and actions:

Outcome / risk factor	Criteria	Rating	Scoring range
Tobacco / nicotine use	Not using (never, or not in the last 12 months) Health care provider has certified you’re medically unable to stop smoking Enrolled in a stop-smoking program in last 12 months Using a stop-smoking aide	Based on status of the criteria	-40 to 8
Cardiovascular fitness	Results from modified version of YMCA Submaximal Cycle Ergometer Test (measures heart rate as exercise intensity increases)	For age and gender: Above average Average Below average Poor	0 to 10
Body composition (body fat percentage or body mass index)	Guidelines from American College of Sports Medicine and National Institutes of Health	For age and gender: Very low risk Low risk Moderate risk High risk Very high risk	0 to 12
Metabolic syndrome Metabolic syndrome is defined as having any three of the following five risk factors. It’s associated with increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and type 2 diabetes.	Based on guidelines from the American Heart Association.	Each risk factor below is considered	Each risk factor below is scored separately
Triglycerides	Ideal value: Less than 150 mg/dL	Ideal High but taking meds or under provider supervision High	0 to 14
HDL	Ideal value: Men - More than or equal to 40 mg/dL Women - More than or equal to 50 mg/dL	Ideal Low but taking meds or under provider supervision Low	0 to 14
Blood pressure	Ideal value: Less than 130/85 mm HG	Within ideal range High but taking meds or under provider supervision High	0 to 14
Fasting glucose	Ideal range: 65 - 99 mg/dL	Within ideal range Pre-diabetic High but taking meds or under provider supervision High	0 to 14
Waist circumference	Ideal: Men – Less than 40 inches Women – Less than 35 inches	Ideal 2 inches out of range More than 2 inches out of range	0 to 14
Up-to-date lab work	Required blood tests	Up to date or not required Less than six months overdue More than six months overdue	-60 to 0
Up-to-date preventive health exams	Screenings per age and gender	Up to date or not required Less than six months overdue More than six months overdue	-60 to 0
Status of any follow-up with physician for health issues		Complete or not required Incomplete	-80 to 0

If your spouse or domestic partner is added to your medical coverage due to a Qualified Life Event Change after your assessment deadline, the spouse/domestic partner credit will be applied (if applicable based on your LifeForce Phase) starting the first paycheck of the month following their completion of the assessment.

If you're unable to participate in any of the health-related activities or achieve any of the health outcomes required to earn a medical credit, you may be entitled to a reasonable accommodation or an alternative standard. You may request a reasonable accommodation or an alternative standard by contacting a nurse at Peak Health at 252-237-5090. You also may request an alternative standard from your nurse during your appointment.

If your appointment is by phone, you're required to provide your biometrics during your call with the nurse, or you'll be dropped to Phase 1 and lose any medical credit that you'd qualify for otherwise.

Program details

LifeForce Phases

Progression through LifeForce

LifeForce benefits calculator

LifeForce phase guide

Program details

LifeForce overview

How to participate

Eligibility and benefits

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