SMART LIVING

MAY/JUN 2024

Congratulations to March/April Contest Winner: Lisa Kelzenberg

Enter for your chance to win $50!

Walking

YOU’RE INVITED TO JOIN THE SUMMERTIME TEAMS STEP UP CHALLENGE!


This is your chance to engage in a little healthy competition with your colleges!

Don’t wait — registration for this challenge opens May 1 and ends May 30. The challenge will run from June 1 to July 31. Employee and spouses will have the ability to join or create a team of up to five members and compete for team highest average daily steps.

Visit the Challenges tab on the Power of Vitality website or click on Challenges on your Power of Vitality mobile app dashboard.

There you can learn more about the challenge and join it.

Please ensure you are refreshing your Power of Vitality mobile app and third-party platforms at least once a week so data is being updated.

INCENTIVE DETAILS

The top three teams with the highest average daily steps will earn $25 Amazon gift cards per team member! Winners will be announced in early August!

HAVEN'T REGISTERED FOR VITALITY YET?
IT'S SIMPLE!

Register today by visiting Power of Vitality by visiting powerofvitality.com or by downloading the app from the Apple Store or Google Play.

GET CONNECTED

Login to powerofvitality.com or the Power of Vitality mobile app > Click on Profile icon > Select Apps and Devices > Select your preferred partnered app or device > follow the steps needed to connect your accounts.

Please ensure you are refreshing your Power of Vitality mobile app and third-party platforms at least once a week so date is being updated.

RECOGNIZING HEART ATTACKS


It happens every minute of every day, all year long. Every heart attack behaves differently, but the result is ultimately the same. The blood flow that brings oxygen to the heart muscle is severely reduced or cut off completely.2

For the person experiencing the heart attack, symptoms can vary. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes. It can come on suddenly and intensely or start off mild, and it may go away and come back.

Heart attacks are the #1 killer of women, perhaps because the symptoms are not initially recognized as a heart attack. The symptoms listed below are most common. Women may dismiss them, thinking that they are signs of less severe conditions like acid reflux, the flu or just normal aging.2

Heart attack symptoms include:

  • Uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain in the chest or torso
  • Pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach
  • Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort
  • Breaking out in a cold sweat
  • Nausea with or without vomiting
  • Lightheadedness
  • Indigestion
  • Heartburn

RECOGNIZING STROKE SYMPTOMS

Strokes are one of the leading causes of death and disability in the United States.3 Strokes also involve the arteries, but those leading to the brain. Arteries carry oxygenated blood.

The majority of strokes occur when an artery to the brain is blocked by a clot. Another type of stroke, although less common, occurs when an artery in the brain ruptures. When either type of stroke happens, part of the brain cannot get the blood and oxygen it needs, so brain cells die.

As soon as a stroke occurs and the blood flow to the brain is disrupted, the region of the body controlled by the affected part of the brain stops working as it should. It’s this change in activity that causes the specific symptoms we can often spot.

HERE’S HOW TO IDENTIFY A STROKE F.A.ST: 2

Face drooping
Does one side of the face droop, or is it numb? Ask the person to smile. Are both sides able to move?

Arm weaknessIs one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?

Speech difficulty
Is speech slurred, are they unable to speak or are they hard to understand? Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence, like “The sky is blue.” Is the sentence repeated correctly?

Time to call 911
If the person shows any of these symptoms, even if the symptoms go away, call 911 and get them to the hospital immediately.

The hope is you never have to recognize any of the symptoms of either a heart attack or a stroke. Minutes matter. By being aware of and educated about these signs, you could save the life of a loved one or even yourself.

Teladoc Health virtual visits are offered to you and your covered dependents through your plan benefits.

To sign up or learn more, go to Teladoc.com

  1. 1. www.cdc.gov/stroke/facts.htm
  2. 2. www.heart.org/en/health-topics/heart-attack/ about-heart-attacks
  3. 3. www.heart.org/en/about-us/heart-attack-and-stroke-symptoms

IT'S OPEN ENROLLMENT TIME AGAIN!


Open enrollment runs from May 6 through May 31, 2024.

If you are enrolled and want to change the plan selection offered by your Association/Employer, you should receive an invitation for open enrollment in early May. You will need to complete the online enrollment (or a paper enrollment form) and submit it no later than May 31, 2024.

In completing your enrollment, list the dependents for whom you wish to provide coverage. If they are enrolled, you do not have to provide additional documentation; however, you will need to place their names on the enrollment form, which confirms that you want to continue providing them coverage.

If you are adding dependents who are not currently enrolled, you must include verification that they are an eligible dependent (e.g., marriage or birth certificate, etc.). Please contact either the Trust or your Human Resources Department to learn your options.

If you are currently waived and want to enroll, you must submit your enrollment along with required documents to the Trust no later than May 31, 2024.

If you are currently enrolled and want to waive coverage, you must submit your waiver through the online portal, or submit a paper form to the Trust office, no later than May 31, 2024. Please note: some school districts require proof of other coverage to be eligible to waive coverage from this plan. Please contact your Human Resources Department for their criteria.

CHANGES EFFECTIVE JULY 1

  1. Increased co-pays: Increasing co-payments on preferred and non-preferred tiers while maintaining the structure for generic medications is a strategic move to encourage the utilization of more cost-effective generic drugs. With prescription drug costs continuously rising, promoting the use of generics can help manage expenses for both the beneficiaries and the benefit provider. This adjustment, effective July 1, 2024, aligns with efforts to balance cost containment with ensuring access to necessary medications for members.
  2. GLP-1s: The Board of Trustees, after careful consideration, has decided to discontinue coverage of GLP-1’s used for weight loss effective July 1, 2024. This includes Wegovy, Saxenda and Zepbound. There has been a meteoric rise in the number of utilizers and associated costs with the coverage of these medications. It is estimated, based on current eligible members utilization and costs, that all PEHT members and or districts would experience a significant increase in their health insurance premiums, with anticipated spending of nearly $3 million for these medications in the next 12 months.

    As more manufacturers come onto the market and more medications are developed, it is hopeful that the costs will decrease The Trustees will continue to monitor this drug class for future consideration.
  3. Frame allowance: Frames will be paid in full up to $225 every calendar year after copay under the VSP benefit.

The Trust recommends that you review the list of your dependents to ensure accuracy. With appropriate documentation the Trust will provide coverage for spouses, qualified domestic partners, children up to theage of 26 and individuals for whom you are the legal guardian up to the age of 18. A complete listing of your dependents can be found on your miBenefits secured portal at miBenefits.ebms.com.

LET US BRING YOUR MEDICATIONS TO YOU


With Optum® Home Delivery, you can get a three-month supply of your long-term medications. Plus, we mail them to you with free standard shipping.

WANT MORE REASONS?

SKIP THE TRIPS
We deliver your medication to your door. You don’t even have to leave home or wait in the pharmacy line.

SAVE MONEY
You may pay less than what you do at in-store pharmacies. And, standard shipping is free.

STAY ON TRACK
With a 3-month supply, you may be less likely to miss a dose. You can even sign up for automatic refills.

EASY PAYMENT
Make on payment upfront. Or split it up into three equal payments.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

IS THE OPTUM HOME DELIVERY PHARMACY IN MY PLAN’S NETWORK?
Yes, it’s part of your plan’s pharmacy network.

ONCE I’VE ENROLLED IN HOME DELIVERY, HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO GET MY MEDICATION(S)?
Medications should arrive within five business days after we receive the complete order.

DO I NEED TO SET UP A HOME DELIVERY ACCOUNT?
Yes. Before we can ship your first order, you need to set up your account and provide your payment method (credit card, debit card or bank account). Using your account, you can go online or use the app any time to place and track orders, check prices, and more.

WHAT IS A LONG-TERM MEDICATION?
Long-term medications are those you take on a regular basis. These may be taken for high blood pressure, cholesterol, and depression, just to name a few.

CAN I USE HOME DELIVERY FOR ANY MEDICATION?
Use home delivery for long-term medications. See which of your prescriptions can be filled through home delivery by going online or using the app.

CAN I SET UP MEDICATION REMINDERS?
Yes. Go online or use the app to check your profile and turn on email and phone notifications and reminders.

HOW DOES THE AUTOMATIC REFILL PROGRAM WORK?
Go online or use the app to see and enroll all eligible medications. Then, we’ll send your refills when it’s time. We notify you before we ship and we’ll use your approved payment method on file. It’s that easy.

Confused about health care terms? Visit justplainclear.com.