Special Notice / Hearing: None__
Vote Required: Majority
To: Honorable Board of Supervisors
From: Michelle Kuka, Human Resources Director
Lisa Okada, Deputy Director of Human Resources
Subject: Agreement with Asset Health for Wellness Program Services
RECOMMENDATION:
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Adopt a resolution authorizing an agreement with Asset Health to provide wellness program services for the term of January 1, 2027 through December 31, 2029, in an amount not to exceed $3,000,000, with a two-year option to extend the term of the agreement through December 31, 2031, for a total not-to-exceed amount of $5,000,000.
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BACKGROUND:
The County offers an award-winning Wellness Program as part of its employee Wellness Policy, a key component of its strategy to be a competitive employer that attracts and retains engaged and productive workforce. The Wellness Program utilizes a wellness portal, health coach services, and a two-person staff to offer a diverse range of programs, services, and activities that support physical, social, and emotional well-being for employees and their spouses.
Since moving to a wellness engagement portal in 2018, the County of San Mateo has been able to redesign the Wellness Dividend Program, Online Health Assessment, event registration, wellness screenings, emotional well-being resources, activity challenges, and wellness videos through the online portal. The portal has increased engagement: in 2025, 77% of all employees logged in to the Wellness portal, 71% completed the Health Risk Assessment, and 65% achieved the Wellness Dividend. The Wellness Program also utilizes contractor services to provide administration and reporting of the Dividend Program, Health Risk Assessment data, marketing materials, and services including Health Coaches, Wellness Nurse, Registered Dietician, and health education classes, among others.
In addition, since 2022, the County has expanded wellness services facilitated by contracted Health Coaches, including departmental support services, increased on-site presence (including visiting 40+ County sites), extended outreach to under-engaged employee groups, and created personalized “My Plans” for employees to improve biometrics and health outcomes. The 2026 wellness survey results indicate that increased on-site support has increased employee participation in program activities.
DISCUSSION:
The Human Resources Department initiated a request for proposal (RFP) for a Wellness Platform and Services on May 4, 2026 and completed the RFP on July 23, 2026. The Selection Committee was comprised of County Wellness Committee members, Benefits Committee members, Benefits staff, and the Wellness Program Manager. The RFP process was assisted by Alliant, the County’s benefits broker. The County received 12 proposals, of which 5 vendors were invited to the interview process. The Selection Committee recommends that the County move to Asset Health for the County’s Wellness Program services because it can host a customized annual Health Risk Assessment and serve the County’s Whole Person Well-being approach. Asset Health’s proposal will:
• Customize the platform and user experience to meet our program needs;
• Offer a website and mobile app to continuously engage employees in programs such as health challenges, online health assessments, health coaching, fitness and emotional well-being videos, and gamification toward healthy habits;
• Enhance the program’s ability to communicate with and send reminders to participants about upcoming events and appointments;
• Retain the County’s proprietary Health Risk Assessment;
• Offer services from fitness instructors, registered dieticians, registered nurses, and health educators;
• Provide enhanced reporting and analytics that are reliable, valid, and HIPAA compliant to allow the County to make informed decisions regarding upcoming wellness strategies;
• Build in skills and cultural alignment for employees to better understand what motivates them;
• Offer experienced account management and strategic partnership alignment; and
• Provide an optional financial wellness program called Healthy Cents
Asset Health’s wellness portal is easy to navigate and includes participation for all 7,200 employees and their spouses. The Human Resources Department would like to contract with Asset Health for 3 years, with the option to extend for 2 additional years, so the County can continue to offer the annual Wellness Dividend Program, health coaching services, wellness educational content, and emotional well-being programs and challenges throughout the year.
The accompanying resolution contains the County’s standard provision allowing amendments of the County’s fiscal obligations by a maximum of $25,000 (in aggregate).
County Attorney’s Office has reviewed and approved the Resolution and Agreement as to form.
PERFORMANCE MEASURES:
|
Measure |
FY 2026-27 Estimates |
FY2027-28 Estimates |
FY2028-29 Estimates |
|
% of Employees Engaged in the Wellness Portal |
60% |
60% |
60% |
|
Customer Service Response Time |
95% |
95% |
95% |
|
Account Manager Satisfaction |
80% |
80% |
80% |
FISCAL IMPACT:
The County’s cost for the Asset Health agreement is covered by the Wellness Trust Fund. These costs are included in the medical insurance rates and are shared between the County and employees. The cost for the platform and Wellness services will be up to $1,000,000 annually for a total of $3,000,000. If the County exercises its option to extend the agreement for one additional two-year term through December 31, 2031, the total will not exceed $5,000,000. There is no new Net County Cost associated with this item.