Classified Benefits & Wellness Newsletter February 2020 Issue #7

Published by:

Arthur Hart, Classified Benefits Coordinator

Phone: 541-790-7679 e-mail: hart_a@4j.lane.edu

Classified Benefits Coordinator

Though I am not in my regular office at this time, I am available to assist you with any 4J benefits questions you may have.  I will be keeping regular office hours from 8:00-12:00 and 1:00-5:00 daily.  The easiest way to contact me is to send me an email at hart_a@4j.lane.edu, but you may also call the office number at 541-790-7679 and leave a message.

All benefits issues should be able to be addressed electronically, and video conferencing is available for complicated benefit tasks like retirement.  I look forward to helping you soon.                                         -Arthur

COVID-19

For up-to-date district Coronavirus information please visit www.4j.lane.edu/communications/coronavirus/, and http://www.4j.lane.edu/hr/covid-19-FAQ/

Save the Date

Upcoming benefits events at 4J may change as events unfold:

• Wednesday, May 13^th– Understanding your PERS Pension presented by Kris Kartub This webinar is scheduled 4:30 to 5:45 PM.
• Monday May 18^th– Health Insurance in Retirement presented by Steve Halberg in the Ed Center auditorium (or maybe a webinar) 4:00 to 5:30 PM.

Be Well

The Moda Health “Be Well” monthly webinar series is available to all 4J employees with OEBB Moda or Kaiser Permanente health insurance.  This month’s very timely webinar is entitled Staying Healthy at Home During COVID-19.

Starting to go a little stir crazy? Stressed from everything going on in the world? Join the OEBB Wellness Advisors as we navigate tools, tips and methods to focus on all of our pillars of wellness during this difficult time. Self care is more important than ever and can be done at home!  The Webinar will be live at 10:00 AM on Wednesday April 1^st, and hopefully as a recording shortly after that.  Look for a link to this webinar and others from the OEBB Wellness webpage

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

The EAP is a free service currently available for all 4j employees (regardless of their benefits eligibility) and people living in their household.  Call them at 1-866-750-1327, or visit them online at ibhsolutions.com to access free services use code: OEBB.

April Fools!

It’s no joke that things have felt a bit unusual lately, but a little humor can carry us through the most stressful of times.  Though it will not cure all that ails us, plenty of research shows that a good sense of humor has many health benefits.

What a good sense of humor can do for you:

• Looking for a good exercise routine? Laughter enhances your intake of oxygen-rich air, stimulates your heart, lungs, and muscles.
• Want to boost your immune system? Laughter decreases stress hormones and increases immune cells and infection-fighting antibodies, which may boost your immune system and resistance to disease.
• Looking for heart health? Laughter improves the function of blood vessels and increases blood flow, which can help protect you against a heart attack and other cardiovascular problems.
• Aches and pains? Laughter can cause the body to release endorphins which promote an overall sense of well-being and can even temporarily relieve pain.
• Feeling stressed? Laughter can make it easier to cope with difficult situations. It also helps you connect with other people.
• Feeling down? Laughter can help lessen your depression and anxiety and may help you feel happier.
• Want an extra treat? One study found that laughing for 10 to 15 minutes a day can burn approximately 10 to 40 calories.
• Want to live longer? A good sense of humor can lengthen your life

To strengthen your sense of humor try these ideas:

• Look for a way to laugh about your own situations, and not at the expense of others. Even if laughter feels forced at first, it can still do you some good.
• Learn a few jokes that you can share with friends. Jokes are easy to find on the internet, and if you tell someone a joke they will likely share one with you.
• Let kids show you what’s funny, and enjoy the world with fresh eyes. You might find that there is quite a bit to laugh about.

If humor isn’t quite your speed, you may try watching cat videos instead.  Research also shows that watching cat videos may have a positive effect on your health. J

A common mistake that people make when trying to design something completely foolproof is to underestimate the ingenuity of complete fools.

-Douglas Adams

Telemedicine

Telemedicine allows health care professionals to evaluate, diagnose and treat patients at a distance using telecommunications technology.  Although telemedicine and virtual visits have been around in minor ways for over a decade, right now it is really taking off.  Telemedicine may require that you have internet connectivity and a smartphone, tablet, or computer with the ability to record and play audio and video.

Telemedicine and virtual visits can address a wide range of issues and conditions.  For primary care, as long as a procedure or a physical examination isn’t needed, almost any kind of office visit care can be conducted using telemedicine.

4J Wellness Clinic- At this time, for those eligible to use the 4J Wellness Clinic you can schedule a telemedicine appointment when you call the main number at (541) 686-1427.  The receptionist (Bonnie) will help you understand if your appointment type will be appropriate for a virtual visit. The same physicians are available for a virtual visit as would be if you had an in person meeting.  4J Wellness Clinic counseling sessions are now being scheduled for phone visits.

Moda insured- Moda virtual visits options are as varied as their provider network.  The member cost share for these services varies.

• OHSU virtual visits and two-way video conferencing with any other provider for primary care or urgent care services are covered at no cost sharing for members.
• Moda covers 2-way video/phone/email office visits with any in-network providers (non-primary/urgent care) at the regular office visit cost sharing.
• Moda covers only 2-way video office visits (but not emails and phone visits) with any out-of-network providers (non-primary/urgent care) at the regular office visit cost sharing.
• You can call the Nurse Advice Line for free at 866-321-7580.
• You can access the Moda eDoc for free from your MyModa web portal.

Kaiser insured– Kaiser has multiple virtual options for care, and all have no member cost sharing.

• You can schedule a phone or video visit, with a Kaiser primary or specialty care physician through the Kaiser Permanente app, org or by calling 1-800-813-2000.
• You can talk with a licensed health care clinician day or night for advice, prescriptions, and more by calling 1-800-813-2000.
• From you org account you can also fill out an e-visit online questionnaire and get care advice, treatment plans, and prescriptions from a doctor within an hour.
• Don’t forget that you can text for free with your PCP about non-urgent matters at any time using the org message center, or from your Kaiser Permanente app.
• Need a prescription delivered? To order online, sign in to org or the Kaiser Permanente app, and select Pharmacy Center, or call 1-800-548-9809.

Things are moving rapidly in the world of telemedicine, and the services and costs talked about in this article were correct as of April 1st, 2020, but keep an eye out for coming changes.

April 4J Wellness Program

Can you eat your way to better health?  Fruits, veggies, and other healthy foods give your body energy, but they can also bring you greater health over the course of your entire life.  Research shows that a healthy diet can help prevent Cardiovascular disease, diabetes, obesity, and some cancers.  Why not give a boost to your health through the foods that you eat?

Start with fruits and vegetables.  Adults should get four-and-a-half to nine cups (combined) of fruits and vegetables each day.  Make the most of them by eating lots of different types, in lots of different colors.  For a great way to boost your energy, try replacing sweet or salty snacks with fruits and vegetables.

Next, add whole grains, lean protein, and nonfat dairy products.  Small changes are easier to start with.  Trade white bread for 100% whole-grain bread.  Choose nonfat plain yogurt (and top it with fruit) for breakfast.  When you make a decision to eat healthy now you’ll help prevent many serious health conditions down the road.

For more ideas, recipes, money-saving tips, and more, visit choosemyplate.gov.  Watch A Simple Guide to Healthy Eating a free webinar video from Moda.

PacificSource FSA News

• The MyFlex Web Portal will be down from March 31^st at 9:00 PM to April 6^th, to prepare for a new web portal. During this time you can submit claims by email to flexclaims@pacificsource.com, by fax to 866-446-6090, or mail your claim to PacificSource Administrators, PO Box 2797, Portland, OR 97208.
• A new mobile app for FSA health benefit accounts is coming that will allow you to submit claims for reimbursement, and scan products to determine if they’re qualified medical expenses before you buy.
• If you have a Dependent Care expense account PacificSource may soon be requesting additional demographic information for dependents.

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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.