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4J Benefits and Wellness Newsletter – December 2014 – Issue 279

By Julie Wenzl | Published: December 16, 2014

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4J BENEFITS AND WELLNESS NEWSLETTER
Prepared by Julie Wenzl • 541-790-7682 • December 16, 2014 • Issue Number 279

FLEXIBLE SPENDING ACCOUNT REIMBURSEMENT DEADLINE

If you had a Flexible Spending Account for unreimbursed health-related expenses and/or dependent care expenses during the plan year that ended September 30, 2014, and incurred expenses eligible for reimbursement between October 1, 2013, and September 30, 2014, the deadline for reimbursement requests from that window of time is December 31, 2014.

In order to request a reimbursement, you’ll need to either file your reimbursement claim electronically, or submit a Reimbursement Request to PacificSource Administrators (PSA) along with the appropriate documentation. You can find information about how to file a request for reimbursement, as well as the necessary form(s) on the PSA website: http://psa.pacificsource.com/Flex/Request_Reimbursement/. If you have questions, please call PSA customer service at 541-485-7488 or 800-422-7038.

If you did not spend all of the funds you set aside in your FSA for unreimbursed health-related expenses during the 2013-14 plan year, remember that the US Treasury Department made a change in the FSA rules that allows you to roll over up to $500 of unspent funds.

WELLNESS CLINIC UPDATES

Winter Break Hours: The 4J Wellness Clinic will be closed December 24, 2014, through January 1, 2015. Regular clinic hours, which will resume January 2, 2015, are Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. The clinic is closed for lunch from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m.

If you will need a prescription refilled, please contact your pharmacy directly, not the 4J Wellness Clinic. The pharmacy will contact your health care provider as necessary.

Drop-in Cholesterol Screening: The next drop-in cholesterol screening for the 2014-15 school year will occur Wednesday, January 7, 2015. These quarterly drop-in cholesterol screenings at the 4J Wellness Clinic are done on a first come, first-served basis from 7:00 – 8:00 a.m., and are a fasting cholesterol finger stick, with the results available in about 5 minutes. Fasting means nothing to eat or drink but plain water for at least 10 – 12 hours.

If you have questions about whether it is time to have your cholesterol screened, please consult your health care provider.

Change in lab services: This fall, the 4J Wellness Clinic changed from Legacy Lab to PeaceHealth Laboratories (PeaceHealth Labs used to be called OML). This change was eagerly anticipated by the Clinic providers, all of whom are familiar with and pleased by PeaceHealth Labs’ track record.

The Clinic can provide you with maps of PeaceHealth Lab sites as needed. PeaceHealth Labs has several locations and Saturday hours are available. For more information, please visit: www.peacehealthlabs.org.  There is a menu board at the top for patient information, including draw site addresses, hours, and contact phone numbers.

EUGENE URGENT CARE

Eugene Urgent Care no longer offers a discount to 4J employees. OEBB coverage requires a $50 copayment per urgent care visit, deductible waived. Services that are referred out from Urgent Care may incur additional charges.

SEVERE FLU SEASON ON THE WAY?

Early data suggest that the 2014-15 flu season could be severe. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is urging immediate vaccination for anyone still unvaccinated this season and recommends prompt treatment with antiviral drugs for people who develop flu and are at high risk of complications.

So far this year, seasonal influenza A H3N2 viruses have been most common. There often are more severe flu illnesses, hospitalizations, and deaths during seasons when these viruses predominate.

If you have not yet gotten your flu vaccine, it’s not too late. If you have OEBB/Moda insurance, you can receive a flu shot at a network pharmacy – no copayment necessary.

Call ahead of time to make sure the pharmacy has the vaccine you need. Show your Moda Health ID card (or your ODS insurance card, which is still valid) to the pharmacist for billing before receiving a vaccine – otherwise it may not be covered.

The following participating chain pharmacies provide vaccines:

  • Rite Aid                                  
  • Fred Meyer                 
  • Albertson Savon
  • Safeway
  • Target 
  • Bi-Mart

For a complete list of network pharmacies or if you have questions, call Moda Health Pharmacy Customer Service at 866‐923‐0411.

Should you find yourself with flu symptoms, please stay home to help prevent spreading the flu. The CDC recommends that people at high risk from influenza check with their doctor or other health care professional promptly if they develop flu symptoms. Studies show that flu antiviral drugs work best for treatment when they are started in the first 48 hours after symptoms appear. Flu symptoms can include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue.

REFERENCE PRICE PROGRAM

The Oregon Educators Benefit Board (OEBB) has established a reference price program. This program currently includes Bariatric Surgery (effective 10/01/13), and most recently Major Joint Replacement Surgery and Oral Appliances (effective 10/01/14).

For Bariatric Surgery, you must use one of the approved Centers of Excellence in order to receive this benefit. There is no out-of-network benefit. PeaceHealth is the local facility that has a reference price agreement with Moda. For additional information on the bariatric surgery program, visit the Moda website at: https://www.modahealth.com/oebb/members/act/bariatric_when.shtml#tbd

For information on providers who bill at or below the $1,800 reference price for an oral appliance for sleep apnea, please contact Moda customer service or consult with your provider. As of this writing, according to Moda customer service, the closest reference price provider is in Salem.

There are no facilities in the Eugene/Springfield area that participate in the knee or hip replacement reference price program for a full knee or hip replacement. Slocum Surgery Center has agreed to the reference price but only performs partial knee and hip replacements at this facility. You will need to travel out of area to avoid being held responsible for a substantial share of the cost of these services. The nearest facility that has agreed to the reference price is in Corvallis.

For a list of providers who have agreed to participate in the reference price program, you may contact Moda Customer Service at 866-923-0409. You can also find information on the Moda website for OEBB members: https://www.modahealth.com/medical/reference-price-program/

IS THIS OKAY TO EAT?

The December 2014 issue of Nutrition Action Healthletter offers this quick tip: “Sell by” and “Best if used by” dates let you know when a food passes its peak quality or taste, not when it becomes unsafe. The food may be past its highest level of quality, but will still be safe for some time after. No matter what the date, if any food looks, smells, or tastes “off,” toss it or return it.

WINTER BREAK INFORMATION

I will be out of the office for winter break December 22, 2014, through January 2, 2015. Happy Holidays!

Moda Health:

Willamette Dental Group:

OEBB:

Employee Assistance Program:

Long Term Disability or Life Insurance:

The information in this newsletter has been summarized. It is presented as information – not advice or counsel. In all instances, the benefits, conditions, and limitations as outlined in the 4J Master Contracts prevail over this representation. Please refer to your Benefits booklet or master contracts available at the District offices for additional information regarding your benefits plans.

 

 

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