4J Blood Drive
The response to the February 4J blood drive was fantastic – thank you to those who were able to make a donation! We are hoping that 4J armchair heroes will once again come to the rescue of those in need of a lifesaving donation. Representatives from Lane Blood Center will be in the Ed Center Tower Room on Wednesday, May 31st for a second 4J blood drive. The drive will take place from 1:00 – 6:00 p.m., and will be a combination of scheduled and drop-in appointments. Details about the event, including information on how to reserve a time slot to make a donation, will be sent via e-mail.
To learn more about the blood needs in our community and the donation process, please visit: http://lanebloodcenter.org/.
3D Mammography Update
As of April 1, 2017, 3D mammography is a Moda covered benefit for all OEBB medical plans.
Moda Health covers certain preventive services with no cost to you when performed by an in‐network provider. This includes preventive women’s healthcare: one visit per plan year, including pelvic and breast exams and a Pap test. Breast exams are limited to women 18 years of age and older. Mammograms are limited to one between the ages of 35 and 39 and one per plan year age 40 and older.
Mammograms for the purpose of diagnosis in symptomatic or designated high-risk women are also covered when deemed necessary by a professional provider. These services will be covered under the office visit, x-ray, or lab test benefit level if not performed for preventive purposes.
Classified Sick Leave Bank – 2016-17 Annual Report
For the fiscal year July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2017, the Classified Sick Leave Bank assisted 10 members of the bank for a total of 1,428.30 hours of Sick Leave Bank time. These were employees who encountered long-term serious personal illness or injury, and who had exhausted all their own accumulated leaves.
Professional Education Program (PEP) – 2016-17 Annual Report
The District provides $15,000 each fiscal year for employee-initiated professional development for members.
The program includes job-related training activities, tuition reimbursement, registration or materials costs, and conferences and workshops. Reimbursements for the 2016-17 year totaled $10,715.00.
4J Wellness Clinic Open All Summer
The 4J Wellness Clinic continues regular hours through the summer to meet the health care needs of you and your eligible family members. This is a great time to get those yearly physicals taken care of. Regular hours are Monday – Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. The clinic is closed for lunch from 1:00 – 2:00 p.m. You can schedule an appointment by calling 541-686-1427.
Please remember that the Wellness Clinic is working hard to accommodate patient appointment needs and times. If a patient arrives more than ten minutes late for a scheduled appointment, he or she may be required to reschedule the appointment.
The Wellness Clinic recommends a 24-hour notice of an appointment cancellation. If a patient arrives more than twenty minutes late for a scheduled appointment, the appointment will be considered missed without proper notice and subject to the cancellation policy. A $20 fee will be assessed for failure to cancel within 3 hours of a scheduled appointment at the Wellness Clinic. A $20 fee will also be assessed for failure to attend a scheduled appointment.
This $20 fee must be paid before the patient will be allowed to schedule another advance appointment. In the event that three appointments are missed, the patient will be limited to scheduling same day appointments only.
The advance appointment scheduling suspension may be lifted after 6 months if the patient has no additional missed appointments.
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They’ve just found a gene for shyness. They would have found it earlier, but it was hiding behind a couple of other genes.
Nasal Strips: Snore No More?
While nasal strips may help stifle some kinds of snoring in some people, they are not a permanent fix. If you (or your bedmate) snore regularly, or if your snoring is irregular, very loud, or explosive, medical evaluation is recommended to identify and correct underlying cause, whether that means treating allergies, for example, or looking into possible surgery if you have a significantly deviated septum. A more serious cause of snoring is obstructive sleep apnea, which can have long-term adverse health consequences if left untreated.
All OEBB health plans have sleep studies benefits. Be aware there is an Additional Cost Tier (ACT) copayment of $100. Deductibles apply and after being met, the plan pays 80% with you picking up the 20% remainder.
Travel Benefits: Travel with Peace of Mind
When you hit the road, remember that medical care is never far. While traveling outside your network service area, you can receive emergency and urgent care through the First Health Network, which is paid at the in-network amount. Other covered care received while traveling is paid at the out-of-network amount. Traveling for the purpose of seeking care does not qualify for the travel network benefit.
The First Health Provide Online Search may be found at: http://www.providerlookuponline.com/coventry/po7/Search.aspx. Simply enter the Zip Code for the area you are visiting.
Outside of the United States, you may access any provider for in-network emergency or urgent care. This care is subject to balance billing.
Dietary Changes May Reduce Depression
Making healthy changes in one’s diet to include more fruit and vegetables, whole grains, legumes, fish, lean red meat, olive oil, and nuts may significantly reduce symptoms of depression, research shows. Thirty-one adults received dietary intervention from a dietitian, while 25 others received social support. After three months, the dietary group, which focused on healthy eating, had a greater reduction in depression symptoms compared to the social support group.
OEBB Benefits You May Not Know About
All OEBB medical plan cover these services, but not everyone knows about them. Are you getting the most from your plan?
- Alternative Care: Each plan covers up to $2000 per plan year for alternative care services such as chiropractic, naturopathic, and acupuncture, including labs and x-rays performed by these providers’. Be sure to use in-network providers to make the most of this benefit.
- Bariatric Surgery: Not everyone qualifies for this benefit, but if you are the primary subscriber on the plan, meet medical criteria, and use approved providers, your OEBB medical insurance can significantly reduce the cost of this lifesaving surgery.
- NO COST Chemical Dependency Treatment: All OEBB medical plans cover in-network chemical dependency treatment at 100%.
- FREE In-Network Preventive Care: All OEBB medical plans cover 100% of in-network preventive care services, deductible waived. This includes routine adult, well-child and women’s exams; annual obesity screening and immunizations. See your Plan Handbook for details. http://www.oregon.gov/oha/OEBB/Pages/Handbooks.aspx
Benefits Contact Numbers
For questions regarding benefits or claims, contact:
- Moda Medical Customer Service –1-866-923-0409
- Moda Dental Customer Service –1- 866-923-0410
- Moda Pharmacy Customer Service –1-866-923-0411
- Willamette Dental Cust. Service – 1-855-433-6825
For questions regarding eligibility, contact OEBB:
- OEBB Information – 1-888-469-6322
To access the Employee Assistance Program:
- Reliant Behavioral Health – 1-866-750-1327
For questions regarding life or long term disability insurance:
- The Standard – 1-866-756-8115
For questions regarding a Flexible Spending Plan:
- PacificSource Administrators – 541-485-7488
Additional contacts:
- Postal Prescription Services (mail-order pharmacy): 1-800-552-6694
- Weight Watchers for OEBB members: 1-866-531-8170
- 4J Wellness Clinic: 541-686-1427
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This newsletter is reviewed and edited each month by the District 4J and OSEA representatives of the Classified Joint Benefits Committee (JBC).The information in this newsletter is summarized, and is not intended as advice or counsel.
