Volume 6 | Issue 8 | Oct. 2018

The Wellness Wire keeping your finger on the pulse

Each month, "The Wellness Wire" provides calendars of events hosted by providers of Florida State Group Health Insurance.

Select the button for this month’s events.Upcoming EVENTS➤

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The information contained in this newsletter should not be construed as medical advice. Please see your health care provider. 1

Five Reasons to Check Your Open Enrollment Materials Open Enrollment is the one time of the year when state employees have the opportunity to sign up for or change their health, life, dental, or vision insurance coverage and other benefit options. Many people think Open Enrollment is only for those who are either starting their coverage or know they want to make a change to their plans, but Open Enrollment is important for everyone. Here are five reasons why you should check Open Enrollment every year:

1. Check to see if there are changes in your plan

The Florida Legislature meets each spring and often passes legislation that affects health insurance coverage. The changes that are implemented may be big or small and could affect your plan. Checking during Open Enrollment gives you the opportunity to learn about upcoming changes and make sure your current plan is still the best choice for you.

2. Check the dollar amounts in your Spending and Saving Account

Flexible spending accounts (FSAs) are continuous until cancelled. Therefore, if you had an active FSA in the last year and don’t make changes, the same dollar amount deductions will be made for the following year. You want to make sure your contributions accurately reflect your needs for the following year to make the best use of the money you put into the account.

3. Make sure your dependents are still eligible

There are specific rules for which dependents are eligible for healthcare benefits and for how long. Continually claiming a dependent who is no longer eligible is considered fraud. Make sure that all of your dependents are still eligible for coverage to avoid any lapse in coverage.

4. Explore new programs and opportunities

The state group insurance program is constantly

working to roll out new programs and opportunities to better serve Florida’s state employees. I don’t check out Open Enrollment you could miss out on amazing opportunities such as pilot programs and new benefits.

5. Browse other plans

As you move through different stages of life you will have different needs and your health insurance plan should always be able to cover them. Don’t make the mistake of signing up for a plan at the start of your career and keeping it out of convenience. Be sure that you’re on the plan that will do the most for you at this moment in time.

To learn more about your benefits before Open Enrollment, visit the MyBenefits website.

Open Enrollment is Here!This year, Open Enrollment will begin at 8 a.m. Monday, Oct. 15, 2018, and close at 6 p.m. Friday, Nov. 2, 2018, Eastern time.

Open Enrollment is your once-a-year opportunity to make changes to your state group insurance benefits. You can do this online in People First or call the People First Service Center weekdays from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern time at 866-663-4735 or TTY 866-221-0268. Learn more about changes for plan year 2019 online at the MyBenefits website.

• Avoid the rush—make changes early and online whenever it’s convenient for you.

• Review your personalized benefits statement carefully. It shows what you are enrolled in currently and your options for the next plan year, including your monthly cost.

• Change elections as many times as you would like up to 6 p.m. Eastern time, Friday, Nov. 2, 2018, , the last day of)pen Enrollment.

• If you don’t make changes during Open Enrollment, your elections will continue to the new plan year, including the dollar amount deductions toward your healthcare flexible spending account (FSA), dependent care FSA, and/or health savings account (HSA).

If you make changes, look for your mailed confirmation statement in November or view your confirmation statement online in People First. Be sure all changes are correct. Confirm you’ve enrolled your eligible dependents and removed those who are now ineligible. Please see this link for more information on eligibility.

Benefits Guide2019 Plan Year

For State of Florida Employees and Retirees

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6X9 Take Time Take Action.pdf 1 7/25/18 10:01 AM What’s New for Open EnrollmentOpen Enrollment begins Monday, Oct. 15, 2018, at 8 a.m. ET and ends promptly on Friday, Nov. 2, 2018, at 6 p.m. ET.

CVS Caremark offers an online transparency

tool to allow employees to see the cost

of their prescription drugs, find out about

generic options, and get the best value for

their medications. E4 Health, the state’s Employee Assistance

Program, is launching Talkspace, a new online

counseling tool. Talkspace offers confidential

therapy sessions through an online app that

allows employees to communicate with a

licensed counseler via text, video, and audio

messages. Securian is now Securian Financial.

During Open Enrollment, Securian Financial

will be offering employees the ability to

elect optional life insurance coverage at two

times their annual salary, without providing

evidence of insurability, up to the maximum

limit of five times their salary or $500,000.

This offer extends to all employees, even

those who have been denied optional life in

the past as a result of medical history. Chard Snyder is launching a newly designed

benefits card. Existing Benny Cards will

continue to work until they expire, and any

cards issued after Sept. 1, 2018, will feature

the updated benefits card look. For 2019, the health savings account (HSA)

contribution maximum for employees

enrolled in single coverage has increased

to $3,500, and the family coverage HSA

contribution has increased to $7,000,

including the state’s contribution.The Division of State Group Insurance (DSGI)

is launching a second year of the Weight

Management Pilot for eligible members of

the Aetna, AvMed, Florida Blue, and United

Healthcare plans. The pilot application period

is open from Oct. 8 through Nov. 16, 2018.

Employer health insurance premium

contributions have increased for the 2019

plan year. Early retirees, COBRA participants,

overage dependents, and surviving spouses

will see an increase in their premium rates, as

these groups pay the combined employer and

employee premium. To ensure accountability in the State Group

Insurance Program, DSGI will request

documents verifying the eligibility of newly

added dependents as part of an ongoing

Quality Assurance Review. The State Group Insurance Privacy Notice has

been updated. Information about your benefits and

premiums is available in your Annual Benefit

Statement and online through People First.

Additional information about these changes is

available at mybenefits.myflorida.com.

3 Save

waysto

!The Shared Savings Program offers members enrolled in a State

Group Insurance health plan three ways to save with new benefit

options to shop for health care services, earn tax free financial

rewards, and reduce out-of-pocket health care costs.

1. Healthcare Bluebook offers an online transparency portal that allows members to

shop for health services based on cost and quality and earn financial rewards.

2. SurgeryPlus provides bundled surgical services with concierge-level support. By

taking advantage of this benefit, members can earn financial rewards.

3. Chard Snyder now offers a health reimbursement account. This new account is

one of the options members can choose to receive any reward payments they’ve

earned using Healthcare Bluebook or SurgeryPlus.

The information contained in this newsletter should not be construed as medical advice. Please see your health care provider. 2

What’s New for 2019The Division of State Group Insurance (DSGI) has three ways to save with new benefit options to help you shop for health care services, earn tax-free financial rewards, and reduce out-of-pocket health care costs. These new benefits are designed to save the state money and allow employees to share in those savings through the Shared Savings Program.

1. Healthcare Bluebook offers an online transparency portal that allows members to shop for health services based on cost and quality and earn financial rewards.

2. SurgeryPlus provides bundled surgical services with concierge-level support. By taking advantage of this benefit, members can earn financial rewards.

3. Chard Snyder now offers a health reimbursement account. This new account is one of the options members can choose to receive any reward payments they earn using Healthcare Bluebook or SurgeryPlus.

Other enhanced services and cost-saving benefits have been added.

CVS Caremark offers an online transparency tool to allow employees to see the cost of their prescription drugs, find out about generic options, and get the best value for their medications.

E4, the state’s Employee Assistance Program, is launching Talkspace, a new online counseling tool. Talkspace offers confidential therapy sessions through an online app that allows employees to communicate with a licensed counsel- or via text, video, and audio messages.

Securian is now Securian Financial.

During open enrollment, Securian Financial will be offering employees the ability to elect optional life insurance coverage at two times their annual salary, without providing evidence of insurability, up to the maximum limit of five times their salary or $500,000. Even those who have been denied optional life in the past as a result of medical history can take advantage of this option.

Chard Snyder is launching a newly designed benefits card. Existing Benny Cards will continue to work until they expire, and any cards issued after Sept. 1, 2018, will feature the updated benefits card look.

For 2019, the health savings account (HSA) contribution maximum for employees enrolled in single coverage has in- creased to $3,500, and the family coverage HSA contribution has increased to $7,000, including the state’s contribution.

DSGI is launching a second year of the Weight Management Pilot for eligible members of the Aetna, AvMed, Florida Blue, and United Healthcare plans. The pilot application period is open from Oct. 8 through Nov. 16, 2018.

Employer health insurance premium contributions have increased for the 2019 plan year. Groups that pay the combined employer and employee premium, such as early retirees, COBRA participants, overage dependents, and surviving spouses, will want to be sure to review and understand their new premium rates..

To ensure accountability in the State Group Insurance Program, DSGI will require documents verifying the eligibility of newly added dependents as part of an ongoing Quality Assurance Review.

The State Group Insurance Privacy Notice has been updated.

"E4, the state’s Employee Assistance Program, is launching Talkspace…an online app that allows employees to communicate with a licensed counselor via text, video, and audio messages."

The information contained in this newsletter should not be construed as medical advice. Please see your health care provider. 3

Donating Blood – What First-Time Donors Can ExpectBy AvMed

If you’re considering donating blood for the first time, you might be feeling anxious or overwhelmed about the idea. But as with any new experience, the more you know about what to expect as a first-time blood donor, the less apprehensive you’ll feel. And remember, your donation helps a range of individuals – from trauma and burn patients to those with sickle cell disease or patients battling cancer. Donating blood is truly a lifesaving gift.

According to the American Red Cross, on average the entire blood donation process

takes about one hour, but the blood donation portion usually lasts no more than 10 minutes. Here’s a breakdown of the process from start to finish:

Registration – To ensure eligibility, every donor must register at the blood collection site before donating blood. For starters, donors must be 17 years of age or older (in most states), be in good health, and weigh at least 110 pounds. Be sure to bring a state-issued ID with you such as a driver’s license, green card, or passport to the donation site.

Health History – You will be asked some general questions about your health and undergo a “mini physical” to ensure you’re in good health. The American Red Cross has an online application to make this process even easier – and faster – on donation day.

Blood Donation – You will sit comfortably and relaxed while your blood is collected. In addition to the one pint you donate, some additional blood will be drawn and placed in test tubes for testing.

Refreshments – No need to rush off after donating blood. Donors are usually asked to stay an additional 10-15 minutes to enjoy a snack and drink before leaving. Staying hydrated before and after donating blood will keep you from feeling faint or dizzy.

Blood Testing – Once your blood is drawn, it is placed on ice and sent out for processing while the test tubes are sent to the lab.

Pat yourself on the back – You helped save a life by donating blood. Be proud!

To learn more about blood donation, go to www.redcrossblood.org.Source: www.redcrossblood.org

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month By Florida Blue

National Breast Cancer Awareness Month is all about spreading one simple, powerful message: Early breast cancer detection and prompt treatment saves lives.

The size of breast cancer and how far it has spread are two of the most important factors in determining the prognosis, or the chances for survival. Early screening is critical to catching the cancer when it’s more likely to be smaller and contained in the breast.

Early Screening Recommendations

The American Cancer Society recommends that women have:

• Clinical breast exams every three years in their 20s and 30s and every year after 40.

• Annual mammograms starting at age 40.

• Awareness of how their breasts normally look and feel so that they can report any changes to their doctor for further examination.

Breast Cancer Symptoms You Shouldn’t Ignore

The most common symptom of breast cancer is a new lump or mass. A lump that is painless and hard and that has irregular edges is more likely to be cancerous than one that is smooth and sore to the touch. You should see your health care provider immediately if you discover a lump in your breast, no matter what it feels like.

Other Signs of Breast Cancer May Include the Following:

• Swelling of all or part of the breast (even if you feel no lump);

• Skin irritation or dimpling;

• Breast or nipple pain;

• Nipple retraction (turning in);

• Redness, scaling or thickening of the nipple or breast skin; or

• Nipple discharge other than breast milk.

If you are age 40 or older, make October your yearly reminder to schedule a mammogram. Early detection is the best defense.Source: American Cancer Society