Click here to download a copy of the The PEBB Connection and share it with your family.

• Click here to sign up for the Providence Food Drive Challenge
  
• Click here to sign up for the Kaiser Food Drive Challenge

In the 2013 HEM, you choose your own health actions

Even at the end of January, there’s still time to make a New Year resolution for better health and choose your 2012 HEM health actions.

How and what to choose? Take another look at the results of the confidential, online health assessment you completed on your health plan’s website last fall.

• Kaiser members log in here to access your results
  
• Providence members log in here to see your results

Still using tobacco? Call Quit for Life – your no-cost tobacco-cessation benefit.

Would you feel better if you lost weight? Check out your no-cost weight Watchers benefit. It’s fully covered for employees in PEBB medical plans along with covered spouses/partners and dependents age 10 and older. (Kids 16 and younger need a doctor’s note at the first meeting.)

Do you have risks for a chronic condition like diabetes, cancer, or heart disease? Here are options for actions that help reduce the risks.

Still not sure what will work best for you? Talk with your primary care provider. PCPs are eager, trained and equipped to guide people to better, longer, more vital lives.

It’s not too late for a flu shot!

If you’re looking for a quick way to fulfill one of your 2013 HEM heath actions, why not get a flu shot?

The state’s flu trackers report that influenza activity is continuing in Oregon and Washington.

The PEBB Statewide and Providence Choice plans cover flu vaccinations provided in most health care settings, including pharmacies. Kaiser covers flu shots in its facilities.

Like influenza, Pertussis has been much more common in Oregon and Washington this winter than previous years.

Salem-based employees can take advantage of a free booster vaccinations by appointment on Wednesday, Feb. 6, at Providence Health eXpress, Room 27, Labor and Industries Building on the Capitol Mall. 

Call Providence Health eXpress for an appointment: 855-229-6460

Cost won’t keep you or your family from effective treatment for substance abuse
 
Personal cost of treatment is no longer a barrier to PEBB members seeking effective care for substance abuse.

Beginning this plan year PEBB health plans administered by Providence will cover treatment costs with no deductible, no coinsurance and no copay. Kaiser plans will work with their members to ensure that copays will not be a barrier to treatment, as well.

The Benefit Board based this change on evidence that the best types of treatment address both the physical and emotional aspects of addiction.

Evidence also shows that treatment and recovery can take time. Rules already in place give employees time away from work for recommended treatments. They can be assured their job will be there when they return.

Knowledge is power

If you’re ready to address addiction, here are valuable knowledge resources and guides for action:

• Watch HBO’s powerful, online series on addiction and treatment.
  
• Visit “Rethink your drink” on the the federal Centers for Disease Control website.
  
• Call Cascade Centers, your employee assistance program, for free, totally confidential counseling sessions.
  
• Learn how primary care providers can help with a quick screening.

Take time now to review your benefit summary and correct enrollment errors.

Members have 30 days from their first benefit deduction of the year to make corrections to their annual enrollments. For state agency employees, this is until Feb. 1. For university employees, it’s until March 1.

The benefit summary sent to the address in your record has an Information Key to help you walk through the details. If you spot an error, fill out and submit a correction form before the deadline to your agency payroll or university benefit office.

Enrollment by default

When members enrolled for 2013 benefits, they had the opportunity to declare their tobacco-use status and their status on a spouse/partner waiving other coverage.

If you didn’t actively enroll during Open Enrollment, the benefit management system automatically placed you in default status and payroll automatically applies the associated monthly surcharges.

To correct default status, complete a correction form and submit it to your agency payroll or university benefits office during the 30-day correction window.

Did you know you can manage your flexible spending account (FSA) online?

Get out of the paper chase by signing up to go green with ASIFlex, your FSA administrator.

• Online claims - Get your claims processed faster. Simply scan your documentation to a PDF and submit your FSA claim online though ASIFlex’s secure website. This way you’ll know exactly when it was received
  
• Direct Deposit - Sign up to have all reimbursements sent to your checking or savings account. Your reimbursements are faster and more secure.
  
• Electronic Notification - Sign up for email and text messaging for all FSA transaction notifications.

It’s easy to be green. Go to www.asiflex.com and complete the go green form. Have questions? Call ASIFlex directly at 800-659-3035.