Pathways

Spring Edition Pathways

Spring Edition Pathways Important Information You Need to Know Benefits Changes Health Plan Coverage Differences Core Benefits Pharmacy/Dental/Vision Benefits
July 2009
Benefits Changes Effective July 1, 2009 New Pharmacy Benefits Manager Take Charge! Live Well! Services Flexible Spending Account Program Top Ten Ways to eat healthy on a budget

Pathways Q and A

Question: Why are Pathways publications mailed to employee homes?

Answer: It is important to understand that the Pathways publication is mailed to employee homes in order to reach not just our State of Ohio employees, but spouses and family members whose health concerns impact our workforce. The publication is also mailed to employee homes because many of our employees do not have access to the Internet at work and perhaps not at home. To ensure important information on health and benefits reaches all of our state employees, mailing of this publication has continued.

We appreciate your feedback and understand the importance of wisely managing expenses in this difficult economic time. However, the printing and mailing of Pathways is not funded by DAS. The money used for printing and distribution of the publication are made available through a Communication and Education fund established by the Joint Health Care Committee pursuant to and in conformity with the collective bargaining agreement. Both labor and management believe that consistent communication of employee benefits increases employee satisfaction and retention, improves productivity and helps motivate workers. Benefit communications represent an important resource in changing lifestyle behaviors, improving the general health of our workforce and setting the stage for lowered health care utilization and costs.

PREVIOUS ISSUES OF PATHWAYS:

June 2009
Take Charge! Live Well! year begins July 1! Nurse Advice Line Personalized Wellness Coaching Know Your Numbers Card Top Ten Great Ways to use your Flexible Spending Accounts for summer!
May 2009
Open Enrollment 2009 – How to Enroll Overview What is Open Enrollment? How do I enroll or make changes to my current health care benefits? Access OAKS Self Service at eBenefits.ohio.gov to make changes Paper enrollment forms available Top Ten Q’s and A’s about Open Enrollment
April 2009
Winter Edition Pocket Pathways
Hot News Union News Health Lifestyle Success Stories
March 2009
Refresh Your Knowledge on Benefits Dependent Eligibility Open Enrollment Checklist Back to the Basics Visit the Take Charge! Live Well! Web site Take your annual Health Assessment
February 2009
HMO vs PPO Which one is right for me? Take our 60 second survey Back to the Basics Preventive Care Checklist Take Charge! Live Well! Web site
January 2009
New Year’s resolution to save money? CFC-propelled inhalers no longer available in U.S. What your colleagues are doing… Top Ten Ways to Save Money on Your Health Plan
December 2008
Need more CASH this holiday? Making Season’s Bright! Top Ten Ingredient Substitutions
November 2008
Have you started your healthy living program? Take Charge! Live Well! Success Stories Top Ten Great Healthy Foods!
October 2008
Flexible Spending Account Open Enrollment Begins Great ways you can use Flexible Spending Accounts Top Ten Great ways to use your FSA on over the counter expenses!
July 2008
2008 Open Enrollment for Employee Benefits Take Charge of Your Open Enrollment Changes Supplemental Life Benefit Change Walk This Way...to Good Health Improving Our Health Breathe Easy: Asthma and Allerg Awareness May is National High Blood Pressure Education Month
April 2008
2008 Open Enrollment for Employee Benefits Take Charge of Your Open Enrollment Changes Supplemental Life Benefit Change Walk This Way...to Good Health Improving Our Health Breathe Easy: Asthma and Allerg Awareness May is National High Blood Pressure Education Month
March 2008
Take Charge of Your Benefits Online with eBenefits Receive Your $100 Take Charge! Live Well! Incentive Road Show Recap Catalyst Rx Hits the Mark Flexible Spending Account Usage Is on the Rise Simple Steps to Begin Your Wellness Journey
November 2007
The State Launches Take Charge! Live Well! Take Charge! Live Well! All-Stars November Is National Diabetes Month Types of Diabetes Know The Signs of Diabetes Living With Uncontrolled Diabetes Is Dangerous Battle The Pack Benefits of Quitting Why Quit? Flexible Spending Account Open Enrollment Using Flexible Spending Accounts to Stretch Your Dollars Quick Facts About The EZ Reimburse Card Is an FSA Right for Me? Think You Don't Have Time for Preventive Care?

September 7, 2006 (Becoming a Proactive Health Care Consumer)

• The ABCs of Flexible Spending Accounts
• The Weather Was On Our Side
• Do You Need Help Managing Your Health Condition?
• Keep Your Address Current
• Does Your Brand Name Medication Now Have A Generic Alternative?
• Student Affidavit Process Update
• Fall Open Enrollment Around the Corner
• 6-Year-Old Stabilizes Asthma by Using Matria's Program
• Strategic Planning to Enhance Communications
• Health Plan Spotlight

April 28, 2006 (Open Enrollment edition #2)

• Are Your Dependents Eligible?
• Common Misconceptions About Eligibility
• What Exactly is a Formulary?
• Are You Using Generic Drugs?
• National Employee Health and Fitness Week Slated
• Governor's Healthy Ohioans Fitness Challenge and Healthy Ohioans Fitness Walk Set for May 17, 2006
• Navigating the Open Enrollment Form
• Benefit Updates for Exempt Employees: Vision, Dental and Supplemental Insurance Changes
• Top 20 Most Commonly Prescribed Brand-Name Maintenance Drugs

April 14, 2006 (Open Enrollment edition #1)

• Updates: Key Benefit Issues
• New Process For Student Status Verification
• Rate Holiday Coming This Fall
• Health Care Payroll Deductions Stay Constant
• Break Out Your Sneakers!
• Your Input is Appreciated. Agency Wellness Assessment Completed
• The Basics of Open Enrollment
• Have You Calculated Your Potential Prescription Savings?
• Aetna Provides Long Term Care Program Enhancements
• Open Enrollment Fairs Coming to a Location Near You
• 2006 Open Enrollment Fair Schedule

February 2006

• Open Enrollment Scheduled
• Untilizing Plan Web Sites
• Do You Want To Be A Wise Health Care Consumer?
• Matria HealthCare/Quality Oncology Chronic Condition And Cancer Care Program
• February Is Heart Health Month
• Using Generic Drugs May Save You Money
• Long Term Care Coverage (LTC)
• Eligibility For Health Plans
• Questions To Ask Before Surgery
• Who To Contact And When
• What To Do When Your're In The Hospital
• Child Care Voucher Program
• Keep Your Address Current
  

For archived editions of Pathways, please call the HCM Customer Service at 614-466-8857, or toll-free at 800-409-1205.