State of Illinois Receives Platinum Level 2023 Aetna Workplace Well-being Award for Second Consecutive Year

For Immediate Release – September 14, 2023

Award celebrates the State’s dedication to workplace wellness, emphasizing consistent growth in programs and resources for employees.

The Illinois Department of Central Management Services (CMS) has once again been honored with the prestigious “Leading the Way” Aetna Workplace Wellness Award for 2023. For the second year in a row, CMS achieved the Platinum level, the award’s most coveted recognition. This accolade is presented to employers who not only maintain but also enhance the quality of the workplace environment by continually integrating effective programming, tools, and resources tailored to each individual’s well-being journey.

“We understand the imperative of centering the health and wellness of every employee, retiree, along with their dependents within the State of Illinois,” said CMS Acting Director Raven A. DeVaughn. ”Receiving this award for the second consecutive year reaffirms our commitment to uplift employees’ whole selves – their physical, mental, and financial wellbeing.”

Responsible for an expansive healthcare management portfolio that averages around $5 billion in annual expenditures and safeguards nearly 450,000 lives, CMS’s relentless effort in partnership with integral stakeholders throughout Illinois has led to remarkable achievements. Enhancing operational efficiency, implementing beneficial changes to pre-existing programs, and expanding awareness and education for members about available resources are among the significant milestones.

“The State of Illinois continues to enthusiastically and passionately embrace wellness, which positively impacts members’ lives, setting up employees, retirees and their families for a lifetime of optimal health,” said Aetna Senior Vice President, Public and Labor, Erich Twachtman. “Aetna is pleased to partner with the State to prioritize well-being as part of their culture through expanded support and offerings for mental well-being and increased opportunities to identify health risks via a colorectal cancer campaign, biometric screenings, skin cancer screenings, and much more.”

The past year saw CMS further develop several pivotal programs and initiatives. The State’s hallmark wellness initiative, Be Well Illinois, continued to prioritize the prevention and education of health conditions. Using insightful data analytics, they identified new avenues to motivate and educate through diverse programs. This program introduced newer and more impactful initiatives such as:

Expanded topics in the Health Wellness and Equity Virtual Webinar Series, shedding light on pressing health disparities and societal challenges.
The much-anticipated “Fall Into Fitness” virtual 5k/10k, which saw an increase in participation, with attendees completing their challenges and collectively taking a staggering number of steps.
Building on the success of the previous year’s Colorectal Cancer Detection campaign, this year saw an expanded outreach, impacting even more lives and amplifying cost savings.
Higi smart health stations with increasing utilization and positive user feedback at State facilities
Robust communication strategy: Webinars, email, Facebook, LinkedIn, wellness webpage, etc.
Regular educational opportunities through webinars and demonstrations

For information about State of Illinois Benefits, visit: https://www2.illinois.gov/cms/benefits