When you’re working in the Salem area and need health care services for minor medical conditions, try Providence Health eXpress – a new, convenient, affordable solution for employees who are enrolled in the PEBB Statewide, Providence Choice and Kaiser Permanente plans.

 

Located on the Capitol Mall, Providence Health eXpress provides quick access to quality care from trusted medical professionals using private, secure video conferencing.

 

Beginning May 14, you can access Providence Health eXpress in Room 27, on the basement level of the Labor and Industries building at 350 Winter St. NE in Salem.

 

Licensed, board-certified providers can treat a wide range of conditions, including rashes, colds or allergies. Same-day appointments are available Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

 

Click here to view an informational video from Providence.

 

Providence is piloting Health eXpress with PEBB members in Salem and will be seeking members’ input on their experience. Your feedback can help grow this innovation in worksite health care delivery.

 

 

Schedule a same-day appointment beginning May 14

by calling 855-229-6460.

 

 

*There are no out-of-pocket costs to PEBB members for a tele-health visit during the pilot. If treatment consists of labs or prescriptions, members’ insurance will be billed, and out-of-pocket costs for these services will apply according to their medical and prescription drug plan benefits.

 

Click here to see your benefit summary.

 

 

Click here to send an email to share your experience with other members.

 

You can renew your participation in Weight Watchers at no cost when you have participated in at least 10 sessions in the previous 13-week series.

 

Click here to sign up for Weight Watchers

When Mark Jungvirt and his wife had their check-up in January, the doctor called Mark "an accident ready to happen."

 

The couple’s monthly prescription costs were already over $900, accounting for 80 percent of their PEBB premium.

 

Mark realized more prescriptions wouldn’t cure his health issues, only mask with the symptoms. "I developed a game plan on how I would take responsibility and change my lifestyle to improve my overall health."

 

What a difference his plan has made. He's lost 46 pounds, brought down his blood pressure and weaned himself off multiple medications.

 

Click here for Mark’s game plan and the remarkable results.

 

About 1,000 members took the "Get Vertical" quiz on the Partner for Quality Care website.

 

Twenty-eight lucky members won a pedometer by trying this fun tool to learn simple, effective ways to relieve low back pain.

 

Take a minute to test what you know about dealing with low back pain -- you could learn a few things to help you handle this common condition.

 

Click here to take the Get Vertical quiz.

 

 

Providence Members

On the Providence website, e-lessons are called "Health Conversations." Topics in Providence Health Conversations range from A1c testing for controlling diabetes to getting active to build strength and reduce stress. Click here for a list of the 14 topics.

 

To choose your e-lessons, log in at www.myProvidence.org and click on "Self-Help" on the left side of your myProvidence screen.

 

Kaiser Members

In the Kaiser plan, e-lessons are listed under "Healthy Lifestyle Programs." Healthy Lifestyle Program topics include: lose weight, manage back pain, manage chronic conditions, manage diabetes, manage pain, overcoming depressions, overcoming insomnia, quit smoking and reduce stress.

 

To choose your e-lessons, log in at http://my.kp.org/healthworks/nw/pebb and click on "Healthy Lifestyle Programs."

 

Click here for information on how to sign up.

 

It's FREE. It's Confidential. It Works.

 

1.866.QUIT.4.LIFE | www.quitnow.net (1-866-784-8454)

A: The federal Affordable Care Act requires large group health plans to spend at least 85% of premium revenue on medical expenses and no more than 15% on administrative expenses, or to rebate excess administrative funds to members.

 

PEBB spends more than 90% of premium on medical expenses in the self-insured plans and will not need to issue any rebates.

 

In its preliminary filing, Kaiser reported that medical care and services exceeded 85% for large groups in the Northwest region (including PEBB), and it doesn't anticipate issuing any rebates.

Your Benefit Board continues to analyze potential effects in 2013 of plan design changes made in 2011 and 2012.

 

As data become available, they’re weighing the effects on future plan designs, program and self-insurance reserves.

 

The reserves can be used to stabilize premiums and self-insure. When claim costs exceed premiums, the Board can draw on the reserves. When claim costs come in below premiums, the balance can be used to build the reserves.

 

In addition to 2013 health plans and programs, discussions in coming meetings are slated to include possible requests for proposals for health plans further into the future.