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| Download the Newsletter |
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| Download the December newsletter, print it (double-sided please) and take it home to share with your family. |
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| Weight Watchers |
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Revised Dec. 22, 2008. Please see PDF for original article
Who?
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You, as an employee enrolled in a Kaiser, Providence or Regence medical plan
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What?
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No cost to participate in Weight Watchers®
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Where?
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At meetings or online
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When?
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Three-month segments January-November 2009
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Why?
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Learn to stop dieting and start living. Attain and maintain a healthy weight.
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Does the PEBB Weight Watchers benefit cover my dependents, too?
No. No-cost participation in Weight Watchers applies only to PEBB-covered employees enrolled in PEBB-sponsored medical plans from Kaiser Permanente, Providence Choice or Regence BlueCross BlueShield.
Can I participate at no cost if I opt out of PEBB medical coverage?
No. No-cost participation in Weight Watchers applies only to PEBB-covered employees enrolled in PEBB-sponsored medical plans from Kaiser Permanente, Providence Choice or Regence BlueCross BlueShield.
How do I sign up?
Weight Watchers has set up a special Web page for PEBB members: www.mypowwr.com/downloads/PEBB.pdf. It steps you through the registration process for PEBB members statewide.
If I drop out of the program, can I enroll again at no cost?
No. You may re-enroll at no cost only after you successfully complete your initial program. If you do not complete your initial program successfully, your medical plan will not cover the cost for re-enrolling. However, you may re-enroll and cover the cost yourself.
What determines if I “successfully complete” my first no-cost enrollment?
Please see the Weight Watchers information at www.mypowwr.com/downloads/PEBB.pdf. It provides guidance on participation.
May I join an At Work meeting group in a non-state location at no cost?
Please follow guidance provided by Weight Watchers on At Work meetings.
Why do I need to provide my credit card number to enroll for the online program?
Weight Watchers’ online enrollment process requires that you enter a credit (or debit-credit) card number. Weight Watchers will not charge your online registration when you use your promotion code. Near the end of the initial term, Weight Watchers Online will notify you that you will be charged for a new term, unless you cancel. You may then cancel. If you want to re-enroll for another online term, you can call for a new promotion code.
Can I join an individual program?
Weight Watchers – the program covered through your medical plan – offers participation through community and at-work meeting groups. You may participate as an individual through the Weight Watchers online program.
Why is PEBB covering participation in a weight management program?
Overweight and obesity are major risks for arthritis, diabetes, heart disease and other chronic illnesses. In a recent survey, a majority of PEBB members reported they are overweight or obese. That means more than 23,000 employees at risk for chronic illness. Your Benefit Board asked the medical plans to provide assistance for members to reach and maintain a healthy weight.
Why did the plans select Weight Watchers?
The Board asked the 2009 medical plans to provide a weight management program at no cost to employees. The plans chose Weight Watchers in response to the following criteria the Board set for program selection:
- Access to program services by 90 percent of covered employees
- Services at worksite or other option during scheduled work hours
- Online alternative to services during non-work hours or at other locations
- Services provided in the community
- No requirement that participants purchase products, such as special meals
- Unlimited participation (enrollment outside of plan) through dues payment only
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| Clear out your 2008 FSA |
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Don’t worry if you have dollars remaining in your 2008 flexible spending account at the start of 2009. You can still submit claims on your 2008 account in the beginning of 2009. See the ASIFlex Web page on the grace period, or call them if you have questions.
(800) 659-3035
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| Looking for Fresh Perspectives |
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If you’re new to a state job, we could use your input. PEBB is designing a Web section just for new employees. Use your insights to help others sort through the benefit selection process.
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| Share Your Success Stories |
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Choices we make on health often influence our finances. We’re looking for success stories to help members make the connection between personal and fiscal health.
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Have you saved on drug costs by switching to generics? Did a cancer screening save a life and life savings? If you quit tobacco, have you estimated how much you’ve saved?
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| Signs of Health |
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For 2009, PEBB offers agencies a new way to share health and benefits information – "benefit boards" for posting in high-traffic worksites.
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| Check your benefits |
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Your pay stub or statement accurately reflects all contributions and deductions for your benefits. Check the first one you get for 2009 to make sure it shows the correct coverage for you and your family. If you see any errors, contact your agency payroll or benefits office as soon as possible.
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| Patient Safety Quiz |
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The state’s Patient Safety Commission recently reported on adverse events in Oregon hospitals during 2007. Take the quiz to learn what this means to you.
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"Retained object" means
a. The patient took the bedpan when he left the hospital.
b. The operating team left an object inside the patient.
"Wrong-site procedure" means
a. The patient went to the wrong hospital.
b. Hospital staff treated the wrong part of the patient’s body.
"Medication error" means
a. The patient forgot to take her aspirin.
b. Someone gave the patient a very wrong dose or type of medicine.
"Adverse event" means – b in all the above.
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Oregon hospitals reported 83 adverse events in 2007, including 50 retained objects.
This may be bad news, but it’s also good news: they reported.
Almost all Oregon’s acute-care hospitals now participate in this voluntary reporting program. Thirty-nine reported adverse events in 2007. They are working to make sure these errors become "never events."
The commission set benchmarks for Oregon hospitals to
- Reduce the number of adverse events, including infections
- Create a culture of safety
- Empower patients to report safety concerns
- Get connected with electronic medical records
Read the commission’s report.
See if your hospital participates.
Learn how you can make a hospital stay safer for you and your family.
www.oregon.gov/OPSC/docs/Information-for-Patients.pdf
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| Resources |
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PEBB
(503) 373-1102 Salem, (800) 788-0520 statewide, fax (503) 373-1654
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