UNIVERSITY PARK – This fall, Penn State will be launching two new health benefits – Hinge Health virtual physical therapy and exercise program and the Scripta prescription savings service – taking effect Sept. 1.
Both benefits are available at no cost to eligible University faculty and staff and their dependents enrolled in a Penn State medical plan. Hinge Health is available only to adult dependents (ages 18 and over). Each vendor will reach out to employees who may benefit from either service in the coming weeks, via postcards and emails.
“The health and well-being of our valued employees and their families continue to be a top priority for us, and we’re always looking for ways to support them with new services and benefits,” said Jennifer Wilkes, vice president for Human Resources and chief human resources officer. “The additions of both Hinge Health and Scripta give employees more options when considering physical therapy and exercise programs and how to save on prescription costs.”
What is Scripta?
Scripta is a company founded by doctors that has saved employers and their employees millions of dollars on prescriptions for more than a decade. Scripta is not a mail order or home delivery pharmacy, but a service that provides participants with options and pricing information in order to be a smarter prescription shopper. Armed with this information, patients can have more informed conversations with their doctor, who often doesn’t know what medications cost on the patient’s health plan. This benefit is open to full-time faculty and staff members, post-doctoral appointees and ACA-eligible faculty and staff as well as their covered dependents.
How does Scripta work?
If there are savings opportunities on medications, employees and their dependents will each automatically receive a Personalized Savings Report with lower-cost options and potential savings. Employees can choose how to save — whether by using a coupon, changing pharmacies, or, with their doctor’s approval, switching to a generic or proven alternative medication. Savings reports are communicated on a monthly basis or available 24/7 in the Scripta mobile app and web portal.
The program is completely free, voluntary and HIPAA compliant. Scripta encrypts patient data and will not sell or share personal health information, including with Penn State.
Want to get a head start?
Employees can register for a Scripta account online here or download the Scripta app from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store and enter the Penn State registration code: 4705. Individuals who register will not see a Personalized Savings Report until after the Sept. 1 launch.
What is Hinge Health?
Hinge Health, based in San Francisco, is a virtual physical therapy benefit available at no cost to eligible Penn State employees as an alternative to traditional physical therapy designed to help patients address muscle and joint pain. This benefit is open to full-time faculty and staff members, post-doctoral appointees and ACA-eligible faculty and staff as well as family members aged 18 years and older who are enrolled in a Penn State health plan.
How does Hinge Health work?
Hinge Health is for anyone living with joint and muscle pain such as a throbbing back, aching knees, or a weak ankle. Users will receive personalized programs that combine gentle exercises to target and relieve pain with 1-on-1 support from a dedicated physical therapist and health coach.
What will Hinge Health participants receive?
- Personalized Care Teams: Patients with appropriate conditions can work directly with licensed physical therapists and dedicated health coaches for one-on-one guidance, motivation, and support.
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Custom Care Plans: Patients receive programs tailored to their unique lifestyle, long-term goals, and multiple areas of treatment.
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Flexible Exercise Therapy: All plan participants over 18 years old can access evidence-based exercise routines that fit busy schedules — sessions can be completed in as little as 15 minutes through the Hinge Health app, anytime and anywhere.
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Comprehensive Support: Whether recovering from an injury or addressing everyday aches, all members have constant access to resources and expert care at no out-of-pocket cost.
Want to get a head start with Hinge?
Employees can sign up to join the Hinge Health waitlist here, and will be notified once enrollment opens. To talk to a member of the Hinge Health Support Team, call 1-855-902-2777 or email help@hingehealth.com.
Want to learn more?
Penn State Human Resources is offering webinars with more information about each of these benefits. Times and dates for the webinars and links to login directly are available below (all times listed are Eastern Standard):
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10-11 a.m., Sept. 10
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1-2 p.m., Oct. 6
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Noon-1 p.m., Nov. 7
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10-11 a.m., Sept. 16
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1-2 p.m., Oct. 23
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Noon-1 p.m., Nov. 17
Full details for both Hinge Health and Scripta are available on the Penn State Benefits website.