Text Size: A+| A-| A   |   Text Only Site   |   Accessibility
June 2008 Newsletter
Download the Newsletter as PDF
Smooth Out the Knots with your EAP
Rasberry Iced Tea
Take A Walk
More "firsts" for you in 2009
PEBB leads the way
Upcoming Board Meeting Topics
Connect with your Benefit Board
Resources
Download the Newsletter as PDF

Download the June newsletter, print it and take it home to share with your family. 
 
Choose your view:
 
 

Smooth Out the Knots with your EAP
Personal problems can tie you in knots. Cascade Centers, your employee assistance program (EAP) offers a full spectrum of no-cost solutions to help you smooth out emotional, legal or family tangles that can keep you from operating at your peak.
 
 Your Emotional Wellbeing
You can call the EAP for a confidential talk with a professional counselor about any life issue. Even the most sensitive topics are just between the two of you. Call your EAP for help with
  • Marital problems
  • Alcohol or drug abuse
  • Parent-child relationships
  • Stress and anxiety
  • Workplace conflicts
 
You and the Law
Don’t know where to start to deal with a legal issue? Contact your EAP. You can have a half-hour consultation with an EAP-network attorney at no cost. Typical topics include
  • Consumer, personal and family law
  • Taxes, wills and estate planning
If a half-hour isn’t enough, you can get more time with the lawyer at 25 percent off normal hourly rates.
 
Your Family
You always want the best for your family. The question is, what’s best for their specific circumstances? Your EAP can search out the facts to help you make educated choices on
  • School and childcare choices for your kids
  • Alternative housing, home care and medical care options for aging parents
What to Expect
When you call your EAP, a specially trained counselor will ask a few questions to determine your best course of action. From there, you’ll work out a plan of "next steps" based on your individual needs.
 
  Call Cascade Centers for free, professional, confidential help.
(800) 433-2320

Rasberry Iced Tea

Ingredients:
 
2 cups raspberries
Zest & juice of 1 orange
3 Tbsp honey
2 tea bags
Lemon slices
                                     
 
 
Directions:
 
Mash or puree raspberries. Rub through sieve to remove seeds. Bring zest, juice, honey and six cups of water to boil. Remove from heat, add tea and steep three minutes. Add to puree, mix and chill. Serve with lemon slice.

Take A Walk
 The simple act of walking has vast health benefits. Routine walking helps
 
Manage your blood pressure.
Lose weight and gain strength.
Get rid of stress and boost your spirits.
 
Taking that first step can be difficult. Here are a few tips to remember when you start.
 
Dress for it. Wear comfortable shoes and protective clothing you can adjust for weather.
 
Warm up. Stretch and get warm.
 
Pace yourself. Use the talking test; if you can’t hold a conversation because you’re out of breath, slow down.
 
Keep straight. Bad posture can increase your likelihood of injury
 
Keep track. How far did you go? A pedometer can help you track your progress.
 
 
 

More "firsts" for you in 2009
Your 2009 medical plan includes first-time benefits for detecting cancer, treating chronic disease and improving your health.
  • No-cost generic drugs for heart disease, diabetes and depression
  • Comprehensive quit-tobacco program in all medical plans with prescription aids co-pays from $10 to $1
  • No-cost access to nutritional counseling
  • Weight-loss program

PEBB leads the way
A snapshot of your Benefit Board's history of innovations

 1999
  • Coverage for domestic partners
  • Medical cost subsidies in rural counties
 2000
  • Lower-cost plans for part-time employees
  • Long-term care insurance
 2001
  • Parity for mental health coverage
  • Three-tier prescription drug plan design
 2002
  • Online health tools
  • Chronic disease management in plans
 2003
  • PEBB Vision of a new State of Health
  • Medical plans chosen on quality measures
 2004
  • Online enrollment and benefits management
  • Pedometer pilot program
 2005
  • Lower costs for generic drugs
  • No-cost tobacco cessation program
  • Healthcare flexible spending accounts
 2006
  • Free worksite health screenings
  • Coverage for bariatric surgery
 2007
  • Almost "paperless" Open Enrollment
 2008
  • Improved coverage for hearing aids, glasses, dental implants, autism

Upcoming Board Meeting Topics
 
 June 17
Review final 2009 rate
proposals. Make final decisions on 2009 plan renewals.
 
Public Comment
Board and committee meetings include a time slot for public comment. To see agendas and to sign up to provide comment refer to
 

Connect with your Benefit Board

 
Voting members
Chair, Diane Lovell; Vice Chair, Sue Nelson; Peter Callero;
Rocky King; Paul McKenna;
Rich Peppers; Jeanene Smith; Bret West
 
Advisory Members: Rep. Tina Kotek;
Sen.William Morrisette
 

Resources
 
 oregon.gov/das/pebb
Question about your benefits? inquiries.pebb@state.or.us
(503) 373-1102,(800) 788-0520
 
Medical Plans
  • Kaiser Permanente my.kp.org/nw/pebb
  • Providence Choice providence.org/pebb
  • Regence BCBSO or.regence.com/pebb
  • Samaritan Select samaritanselect.com
  • VSP (Vision Service Plan) vsp.com
Mail-order Prescriptions
  • PPS ppsrx.com
  • Walgreens walgreenshealth.com
 
 
Dental Plans
  • Kaiser Permanente my.kp.org/nw/pebb
  • ODS odscompanies.com/pebb
  • Willamette Dental willamettedental.com
Optional Plans
  • Standard Insurance standard.com
  • UnumProvident unumprovident.com/enroll/pebb
Other Benefits
  • FSAs orpebb.asiflex.com
  • EAP cascadecenters.com (800) 433-2320
 

 
Page updated: June 11, 2008

Click here to go to the Oregon Dept. of Veterans' Affairs outreach contact form

Get Adobe Acrobat ReaderAdobe Reader is required to view PDF files. Click the "Get Adobe Reader" image to get a free download of the reader from Adobe.