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May 2011
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Article Content
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| Download the Newsletter |
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| Click here to download the May newsletter (legal size PDF). |  |
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| DEV Step 2 starts now |
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As a responsible steward of state and employee funds, your Benefit Board is sponsoring the 2011 Dependent Eligiblity Verification (DEV) program. Step 1 of the program is already saving millions of dollars based on member removal of ineligible dependents
Step 2 begins now. About 5,000 members were selected for this step – including those who didn’t participate as required in Step 1 and a number who were randomly selected.
In Step 2, these members must provide documentation that proves the relationship allowing them to cover a dependent (child, spouse or domestic partner).
These members will soon receive a mailing with instructions from Mercer. The mailing includes a letter that lists dependent names, birthdates and relationship; a matrix of documents that can serve as proof; and a set of frequent questions and answers.
Members can upload digital copies of the documents to the Mercer benefit group’s secure website. Or, they can fax them to Mercer through their secure fax line.
For assistance on Step 2, call 1-866-614-1114, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m., PT. Click here for answers to questions about this PEBB program.
Send all DEV documents to Mercer, not PEBB.
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| New direct line to help for back pain |
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Members in the Statewide Plan and Providence Choice have a new path to relief for uncomplicated low-back pain.
Through DirectLine to Health Care, members get almost immediate access to physical therapy and don’t need a doctor’s referral.
Physical therapists help patients get relief from back pain by increasing their muscle and skeletal fitness.
Currently, DirectLine therapists are available in physical rehab facilities from Vancouver to Marion County. Click here for the list. When calling, be sure to note you’re asking for DirectLine to Health Care.
Providence is working to expand DirectLine to Health Care in other areas, including southern Oregon. They’ll update the list as new sites come onboard.
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| PEBB moves to Oregon Health Authority July 1 |
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The Public Employees’ Benefit Board will "move" July 1 from its current agency – the Department of Administrative Services – to the Health Programs Division of the Oregon Health Authority (OHA).
PEBB’s physical location and contact information will not change. Its virtual locations on the Internet will shift, but current links and bookmarks will continue to work by redirecting
House Bill 2009 created the OHA in 2009 to move the state toward its goal of quality, affordable health care for all Oregonians.
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| "Quit for Life" saves a life! |
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“We just found out that PEBB and the Quit for Life program saved my husband’s life! The doctor told him today that if he hadn’t quit smoking in 2005, he would not be here today. It was because of this program and the free supply of patches that my husband and I were able to quit – six years now and counting.”
- PEBB member Doris Patke
Click here for Quit for Life, a fully covered PEBB benefit
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| Members get started with exercise |
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PEBB members Laura and Jim Tuttle share their thoughts on Get Started – a free
exercise program at their local YMCA.
Why did you join?
We had been talking about working out so we could get keep up with our very active four-year-old and to just feel better about ourselves.
What did the program do for you?
It gave us a refresher on the things we already knew how to do and introduced us to things we hadn’t tried before and wanted to try. We learned the correct way to use the equipment and also got information on eating healthier.
What’s the most rewarding part?
Losing inches and having fun doing it in a pain-free, stress-free environment. We no longer huff and puff our way up the stairs and are capable of doing much more than we anticipated.
The most challenging part?
Actually showing up to class after working all day.
Would you recommend it for others?
It’s a good program for people who are thinking about being more active but are unsure how to start, or who are looking for ways of working out at home or who may be intimidated by joining a gym. It’s a very friendly atmosphere, and the personal trainers adapt the workouts for each individual.
What’s the motivator?
The only thing you have to lose is a little time out of your day and, hopefully, a few pounds!
Call your local "Y" to ask about the Get Started program.
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| Change to sick leave requirement in disability benefits |
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Beginning May 1, members who qualify for short- or long-term disability payments can choose to use accrued sick leave and receive a reduced benefit payment (minimum of $25 per week for STD, $50 per month for LTD); or they can elect to not use accrued sick leave and receive the full benefit payment.
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| Connect with Your Benefit Board |
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| Resources |
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(503) 373-1102, fax (503) 373-1654
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| Medical Plans
Mail-order Prescriptions
| Dental Plans
Optional Plans
Other Benefits
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