A new program in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA), passed Feb. 17, 2009, offers help with COBRA insurance premiums if you lose your job.

Under the current federal COBRA law, if you or your dependents lose eligibility for healthcare coverage, you can enroll within 60 days of that loss to continue in PEBB plans for a limited time – usually 18 months. You pay the premium (plus administration fee).

 

Under ARRA, your former employer will subsidize 65 percent of the premium cost for nine months.

Who is eligible? State employees in PEBB who involuntarily lose their jobs Sept. 1, 2008 – Dec. 31, 2009, are eligible for the subsidy, as are their qualified family members.

 

When does it apply? If you lose your job Sept. 1, 2008 – Dec. 31, 2009, the subsidy is available for nine months as long as you continue to be eligible. March 2009 was the first "premium month" when the subsidy could apply. It is not retroactive on COBRA premiums paid before March. You lose eligibility when you become eligible for other group-plan coverage.

 

How do I access it? If you lose your job, you will receive a notice and enrollment information in the mail from PEBB’s third-party administrator. After you enroll, you must pay 35 percent of the cost of the coverage you choose. Your employer, through PEBB, will pay the 65-percent subsidy.

 

Can I enroll now if I didn’t before? Yes. This program gives you a second chance to enroll for COBRA. If you lost your job from Sept. 1, 2008 on, but did not enroll during your 60-day enrollment window, you may enroll now. You will receive a notice in the mail.

 

This summary information is an overview, only. Here are additional resources.

 

BenefitHelp Solutions: PEBB’s third-party administrator

 

Department of Labor: How the COBRA subsidy operates

Hundreds of state employees turned a few minutes of time on their health into food for the hungry during February.

 

By completing their online health risk assessment (HRA), employees met the Providence and Regence challenge, and the plans donated $2,500 each to the annual food drive.

 

Employees who did their HRA learned about their health risks and how to reduce them. At the same time, they generated $5,000 for Oregonians in need of nutritional support.

 

Taking a few deep breaths can be a powerful way to lower your blood pressure and slow your pulse. You feel calmer.

 

Focus on the cause of your stress, and think of steps to take control, if you can, or let it go, if you can’t.

 

Exercise and eat a healthy diet. To keep it interesting, try something different.

"I started going to yoga in September. It has really helped all those aches and pains I was so used to having. I also take my grandchildren to yoga, and it is a special time for them to be with me. I have been trying to do more types of activites instead of just sitting all day and evening." —PEBB member

 

Your employee assistance program through Cascade Centers can help with stress. Browse the Personal Advantage Web site for more tips.

During its March meeting, your Benefit Board moved by unanimous vote to self-insure the statewide medical plan beginning 2010. The Board chose this option to control costs while maintaining statewide access.

 

Read the Q&A here.

 

I have lost 10 pounds in three weeks. My blood sugar has improved to the point that I have stopped taking one medication and am looking forward to where I can drop all of them. And without going hungry!

I just came from my Dr. who said I look like I took 10 years off my age. I’ve lost 16 pounds on my way to a 30 pound loss goal. I signed up for the online version right after it was announced and I’ve been losing about 1-2 lbs per week. I’ve been forcing myself to take a lunch break where I walk, and I walk when I get home in the evening. This program has provided the much needed inspiration to accomplish this, and my health is improving dramatically.

 

 

Why the link between birthdays and cancer screenings? Because your age often determines your screening schedule.

 

Your Benefit Board designed your medical plan to fully cover the cost of cancer screenings based on schedules recommended by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.

 

Check recommendations from the Task Force, and check with your provider to schedule your screenings.

 

 

View meetings live or recorded. View agendas when published.

 

 

Public meetings include a time slot for public comment. Sign up to comment.

oregon.gov/das/pebb    

Comments for the Board: pebb.connect@state.or.us   

(503) 373-1102, fax (503) 373-1654