Providing quality human resources services to current employees, retirees and potential employees of the St. Mary's community
The holidays are a time to celebrate, give thanks, and reflect. They are also a time to pay special attention to your health by managing stress, traveling safely, preventing injuries and eating healthily.
Give the gift of health and safety to yourself and others by following these holiday tips.
Getting an annual flu vaccine is the first and best way to protect yourself and your family from the flu. The CDC recommends that people get a flu vaccine early (now is a good time) and at least by the end of October.
Visit your medical insurance carrier’s website or call your doctor’s office for more information about getting your flu shot.
Get Healthy in 2016 with the State of Maryland Employee Wellness Program – visit the State of Maryland Wellness Website for information on wellness coaching, weight management, video/virtual visits, health tips, and much more! http://dbm.maryland.gov/benefits/Pages/WellnessHome.aspx
Answer the phone…for your health.
The phone is ringing. Caller ID says it’s your health insurance company calling…what do they want? Pick up the phone to find out because this is one call you don’t want to miss!
This call might change your life.
Searching for information on your treatment options can be time-consuming and confusing. To help, your health insurance company may call you if you have diabetes, coronary artery disease, COPD, or Atrial Fibrillation to connect you with disease management program resources that support your health. Topics include education on conditions, self-management, medication, appointments, and lifestyle behaviors. They may call after you return home from an inpatient stay to assure that you are doing well. They may call simply to check in to see if you are getting timely care.
You are not required to participate in these Disease Management Outreach Calls, but if you do, you will experience these benefits:
So, go ahead and answer the phone–it’s important information just for you!
Get Healthy in 2016 with the State of Maryland Employee Wellness Program – visit the State of Maryland Wellness Website for information on wellness coaching, weight management, video/virtual visits, health tips, and much more!
Maybe your body is not functioning right – your energy level is low, yet you have difficulty falling and staying asleep. Perhaps you do not like what you see in the mirror – you’ve even joined a gym, but rarely go. You want to initiate doing something good for your body, but it’s hard to get past a number of the obstacles by yourself. It’s time to consider working with a wellness coach!
A Wellness coach is a trained professional who can help you achieve your well-being goals by providing motivational support and expert guidance.
Wellness coaching is offered FREE OF CHARGE to all State of Maryland employees and their covered spouses who have health insurance benefits through Carefirst, United Health Care and Kaiser Permanente.
Don’t delay, start your wellness coaching partnership today by calling the wellness coaching numbers for your health insurance carrier listed below:
CareFirst: 1-800-783-4582 (press 2)
United Healthcare: 1-800-478-1057 (press 2)
Kaiser Permanente: 1-866-862-4295 (press 0)
Please contact Brenda Salas at Brenda.salas@maryland.gov if you would like additional information.
When the Affordable Care Act (also known as healthcare reform, or the ACA for short) was passed, it came with a host of reporting requirements for employers and health insurance companies. In late March you may receive one or more new tax forms related to health insurance you may have had or were offered in 2015. Originally, these forms were to have been sent in January, but the IRS extended the release date to March 31. When the IRS extended the release date, it also removed the requirements for you to attach these forms to your 2015 tax filing.
For full details, click link below:
http://dbm.maryland.gov/benefits/Documents/ACATaxFormsEmployee.pdf
Establishing a relationship with your primary care provider is the best way to receive consistent quality care. But sometimes you get sick when your doctor is not available. Now, when your primary care provider isn’t available, a virtual video visit lets you see and talk to a doctor from your mobile device or computer when you need care. Most visits take about 10-15 minutes, and if needed, doctors can write a prescription that you can pick up at your local pharmacy. Video visits are convenient, easy to use, private and secure, and these visits cost the same as your plan’s copay for a sick office visit with your primary care provider. And, if you’ve completed the wellness activities and have earned your PCP co-pay waiver, this co-pay is also waived!
CareFirst, United Health Care and Kaiser Permanente offer video visit consultations for treatment of uncomplicated, non-emergency health concerns such as but not limited to:
See below to access virtual visits (always call 911 or go straight to the ER if you have a life-threatening illness, injury or emergency):