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County approves one-year biometric testing contract, considers adding A1C and keeping outcome-based incentives
Summary
Goodhue County approved a one-year contract with On-site Health Diagnostics for employee biometric testing, agreed to continue TSH and PSA screens, to explore adding hemoglobin A1C testing, and voted to retain the current incentive structure tied to participation and outcomes.
Goodhue County commissioners on May 6 approved a one-year contract with On-site Health Diagnostics to provide employee biometric testing and health risk assessments, agreed to continue TSH and PSA screening for eligible participants, and voted to retain the county’s existing incentive structure that rewards both participation and outcomes.
Human resources staff explained the county has offered biometric screening and health risk assessments since 2013 to employees, spouses and covered retirees. The county previously contracted with HealthTech 360; this year staff issued a request for proposals and reviewed two finalists: incumbent HealthTech 360 and On-site Health Diagnostics. On-site’s quote was significantly lower than the incumbent’s, staff said, though the two vendors’ test suites differ slightly (for example, the incumbent included a nicotine test that On-site does not perform unless added as an extra).
Staff outlined the county’s incentive structure: participants receive $50 for participation and an additional $50 for meeting an outcomes threshold (a score above 70), and repeat testers who improve by five or more points can earn the additional $50. Spouses and retirees may participate in testing but do not receive the incentive. The county budgeted $28,000 for biometric testing in 2025 and staff presented several incentive and program options. The motion adopted by the board accepted On-site Health Diagnostics for a one-year contract, continued TSH and PSA screening, added the possibility of including hemoglobin A1C testing to the lab suite, and kept the existing incentive structure tied to participation and outcomes.
A commissioner noted that screening results can be shared with a participant’s physician and that early detection of conditions such as elevated A1C or prostate issues can reduce future high-cost claims for the county health plan. Staff said historically incentives were charged to compensated absences rather than employee retention committee funds. The motion carried on a voice vote after a move and second.
Implementation steps include finalizing the one-year contract, confirming the exact tests to be performed (including any optional nicotine or hemoglobin A1C additions), and proceeding with scheduling and incentives administration under the existing structure.
