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| Share Your Success Story |
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Are you in the process of getting healthier? Share your success story in The Connection.
Are you walking more, eating better or getting a handle on stress? Send a note about what’s working for you to mystory.pebb@state.or.us.
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| Now in Season |
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Roasting asparagus heightens the sweetness of this nutirional powerhouse, which is now in season.
Ingredients
1 pound asparagus, trimmed
2 Tbsp olive oil
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp freshly ground pepper
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Directions
Heat oven to 450F. Toss asparagus with olive oil, salt and pepper. Arrange in single layer on baking sheet. Roast for eight to 10 minute, turning once, until crisp-tender.
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For a change of taste, sprinkle with a little lemon zest, balsamic vinegar or feta cheese before serving.
FRESH AND LOCAL
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For the freshest produce, look to your local farmers market. Some open in April, offering early spring vegetables like asparagus, lettuce and spinach.
Most markets are open May through September. Check for schedules and locations at the Oregon Farmers Market Association Web site.
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Beyond freshness, here are two other benefits of buying local:
it saves transportation energy and supports area growers.
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| Simple Steps to Deal with Back Pain |
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At one point or another almost everyone develops low back pain. If it happens to you, don’t assume the worst. Low back pain usually gets better on its own within a few weeks. In the meantime, try to stay active.
If you’re worried about hurting your back, you might want to stay in bed and avoid moving until the pain goes away. Unfortunately, too much bed rest can weaken your muscles and actually delay your recovery
If you need them, a variety of over-the-counter, nonprescription medicines is available to help ease back pain. The most commonly used pain relievers are acetaminophen (Tylenol®) and anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen (Advil® or Motrin®) and naproxen (Aleve®). Be sure to follow the instructions on the medicine label.
When Should You See a Doctor?
You might be wondering if you should see a doctor to find out what’s causing your back pain.
You should call your doctor if:
- Your pain has not improved after one or two days, and you cannot do your normal daily activities
- Your mild-to-moderate back pain continues after two weeks of managing it with pain relievers and light activity
- You develop new pain, numbness, or weakness in the legs, change in bladder or bowel function, fever or other new symptoms.
Your health plan can help you deal with back pain.
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| Midyear Changes |
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You can make benefit changes once a year during Open Enrollment. But what can you do if your life changes midyear?
PEBB rules allow you to adjust certain benefits midyear with such major life changes as
- Birth or adoption of a child, or becoming legally responsible for a dependent
- Changes in your own or your spouse’s job status
- A child losing eligibility for coverage
- Moving into or out of a plan’s coverage area.
Some of these life changes may allow you to
- Enroll in, increase or decrease life or disability coverage or amounts in a flexible spending account.
If you’re planning a life change, get in touch with your payroll or benefits office. Staff can advise you on how the change may affect your benefit selections.
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Note
In general, you have 60 days from the date of the change to adjust your benefits. If you miss the 60-day window, you will need to appeal to PEBB based on administrative rules.
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| Your Benefit Board's Goals for 2009-2011 |
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Support your efforts to be healthy
- More prevention and wellness options in your health plans
- Planning for worksite improvements to make easier for you to make healthy choices at work
Support your access to evidence-based care
- Reduced barriers to evidence-based screenings
- Weight management and tobacco cessation programs guided by the best scientific evidence
Enhance communication about your health and benefits
- Member surveys to measure our group’s progress in becoming healthier
- More-visible worksite communications on wellness and your PEBB benefits
Support growth of the "medical home" concept
- Expanded use of health information technology, including electronic medical records in primary care
- Support for medical-home pilot projects
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| Upcoming Board Meeting Topics |
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Your Benefit Board meets on the third Tuesday of the month. See the Web site for details.
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April 15
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Executive session
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Review carrier responses on changes in plan design
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Public Meeting
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Discuss plan design options; review Standard fund issues
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May 20
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Executive session
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Learn 2009 rate quotes. |
Public Meeting
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Review rate impacts; hear member suggestions on benefit design,
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June 17
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Public Meeting
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Decide on 2009 plan designs; approve rates; decide on use of Standard funds.
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| Connect with Your Board |
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| Voting members |
Diane Lovell, Chair,
Sue Nelson, Vice Chair
Peter Callero
Rocky King
Paul McKenna
Jeanene Smith
Rich Peppers
Bret West.
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| Advisory members |
Rep Tina Kotek
Sen. William Morrisette.
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