prepare for open enrollment before it’s time to make your ... · prepare for open enrollment...

12
In this issue 2 • A history of Indiana license plates 3 The Torch is published monthly by the State Personnel Department and is available online at www.in.gov/spd Submit your story ideas to: [email protected] Follow us on: 5 6 • Surgeon General’s call to walk to beer health Got a story? October 2015 • Connue to engage with HumanaVitality 4 • Flu Shot Clinics around the state • Prepare for Open Enrollment • Become a Wellness Champion Continued on page 3 Prepare for Open Enrollment before it’s time to make your selections Open Enrollment is just around the corner. Rather than wait to the last minute to determine what opons to select, take me now to carefully review your health care needs. That way, you are beer prepared to select the plans that best meet the health care needs of you and your family. Here are a few ps to get started: Know the dates: Mark your calendars for the 2016 Open Enrollment season. It begins October 28 and ends November 18 at noon (EST). Review this year’s medical, vision and dental expenses. How much did you spend on medical, vision and dental needs? These are your out-of-pocket expenses. Would a Health Savings Account (HSA) make beer sense? An HSA is like a savings account set up to fund only eligible medical, vision and dental expenses. Not only does the state deposit money into the account, but an employee can also elect a poron of their paycheck to be deposited into a HSA, before taxes. An employee must open up a HSA in order to receive the contribuons the state makes to each account. Compare the total out- of-pocket costs you spent this past year in medical, vision and dental expenses and the cost of your overall medical expenses. Be sure to include your premium costs. Aſter you total this number, a CDHP combined with a HSA, may be significantly cheaper than a tradional PPO medical plan. It can potenally give you other tax advantages since contribuons are made before tax. Examine how much you contribute to your Flexible Spending Account (FSA). If you have a Flexible and/or Dependent Care Savings Account, be sure to examine your out-of-pocket expenses closely as these programs are a use- it-or-lose-it program. You may need to increase or decrease your contribuons accordingly. Understand your insurance needs. If a qualifying event has occurred within the past year, your insurance needs may have changed as well. A qualifying event could be a birth, divorce, wedding or an adopon. Rather than simply signing up for the same amount you did the year before, determine whether your overall financial situaon has changed, and whether or not you need more or less insurance. If you experienced such an event and

Upload: others

Post on 09-Aug-2020

0 views

Category:

Documents


0 download

TRANSCRIPT

Page 1: Prepare for Open Enrollment before it’s time to make your ... · Prepare for Open Enrollment before it’s time to make your selections Continued from page 1 did not request a change

In this issue

2 • AhistoryofIndianalicenseplates

3

The TorchispublishedmonthlybytheStatePersonnelDepartment

andisavailableonlineatwww.in.gov/spd

Submityourstoryideasto:[email protected]

Follow us on:

56 • SurgeonGeneral’s

calltowalktobetterhealth

Got a story?

October 2015

• ContinuetoengagewithHumanaVitality

4• FluShotClinicsaroundthestate

• PrepareforOpenEnrollment

• BecomeaWellnessChampion

Continued on page 3

Prepare for Open Enrollment before it’s time to make your selectionsOpenEnrollmentisjustaroundthecorner.Ratherthanwaittothelastminutetodeterminewhatoptionstoselect,taketimenowtocarefullyreviewyourhealthcareneeds.Thatway,youarebetterpreparedtoselecttheplansthatbestmeetthehealthcareneedsofyouandyourfamily.Hereareafewtipstogetstarted:

Know the dates:Markyourcalendarsforthe2016OpenEnrollmentseason.ItbeginsOctober28andendsNovember18atnoon(EST).

Review this year’s medical, vision and dental expenses.Howmuchdidyouspendonmedical,visionanddentalneeds?Theseareyourout-of-pocketexpenses.WouldaHealthSavingsAccount(HSA)makebettersense?AnHSAislikeasavingsaccountsetuptofundonlyeligiblemedical,visionanddentalexpenses.Notonlydoesthestatedepositmoneyintotheaccount,butanemployeecanalsoelectaportionoftheirpaychecktobedepositedintoaHSA,beforetaxes.AnemployeemustopenupaHSAinordertoreceivethecontributionsthestatemakestoeachaccount.Comparethetotalout-of-pocketcostsyouspentthispast

yearinmedical,visionanddentalexpensesandthecostofyouroverallmedicalexpenses.Besuretoincludeyourpremiumcosts.Afteryoutotalthisnumber,aCDHPcombinedwithaHSA,maybesignificantlycheaperthanatraditionalPPOmedicalplan.Itcanpotentiallygiveyouothertaxadvantagessincecontributionsaremadebeforetax.

Examine how much you contribute to your Flexible Spending Account (FSA).IfyouhaveaFlexibleand/orDependentCareSavingsAccount,besuretoexamineyourout-of-pocketexpensescloselyastheseprogramsareause-it-or-lose-itprogram.Youmayneedtoincreaseordecreaseyourcontributionsaccordingly.

Understand your insurance needs. Ifaqualifyingeventhasoccurredwithinthepastyear,yourinsuranceneedsmayhavechangedaswell.Aqualifyingeventcouldbeabirth,divorce,weddingoranadoption.Ratherthansimplysigningupforthesameamountyoudidtheyearbefore,determinewhetheryouroverallfinancialsituationhaschanged,andwhetherornotyouneedmoreorlessinsurance.Ifyouexperiencedsuchaneventand

Page 2: Prepare for Open Enrollment before it’s time to make your ... · Prepare for Open Enrollment before it’s time to make your selections Continued from page 1 did not request a change

The Torch2

A history of Indiana license plates from 1905 to the presentBicentennial Commission

OnMarch6,1905,Indianastarteditsveryfirststatewideregistrationofmotorvehicles.Sincethen,licenseplateshaveevolvedinhowtheylook,howtheyareissuedandhowtheyareused.AutomobileLicensePlateCollectorsAssociation,Inc.iscreatingadisplayofIndianalicenseplatesoverthelast110yearstocelebratetheBicentennial.TheexhibitwillreflectasignificantpartofIndiana’smotoringhistory,theexpansionandeaseoftransportationandthegrowthfromtheLincolnHighwaytomoderninterstatesasweknowthem.

Thefirststatewideregistrationofmotorvehicles,in1905,wasapermanentlicensetax,withaone-

timefeeof$1.Name,address,makeofvehicleandregistrationnumberwererecordedbystateofficials,andatwo-inch

diameterdiscbearingtheregistrationnumberwasissuedtoeachmotorist.Thatdiscwasrequiredtobemountedonthevehicle.Commonpracticewastoattachthediscontothewoodendashboardsofvintagemotorcars.Asaresult,theyhavebecomeknownasdashboarddiscs.ActuallicenseplateswerealsorequiredbytheState,butwerenotprovidedbytheState.Thesearereferredtoas“ownerprovidedplates”or“pre-stateplates,”andhavebeenfoundinallmannerofmaterialsandformats.Somepioneermotoristssimplypaintedtheregistrationnumberontotheirvehicles,butit Thank you to the Automobile License

Plate Collectors Association President Greg Gibson for this submission.

wasmorecommontohaveplatesfabricatedbycommercialproviders.VerypopularamongIndianaautoownerswasasinglepiecebrassplate,whichwasstencil-cuttoallowairtoflowtotheradiator.ThisdesignisvirtuallyuniqueamongthestatestobrasseraIndianamotorists,andarehighlysoughtafter.

In1913,Indianabeganissuingannualstate-providedlicenseplates.Theseplateswereflat,cold-rolledsteelcoveredwithporcelainenamel.ThisistheonlyyearthatIndianaissuedaporcelainplate.

Thereafter,Indianaplatesweremadeofpainted,embossedsteelwithdifferentcolorcombinationseachyear.AfavoriteofmembersoftheAutomobileLicensePlateCollectorsAssociation(alpca.org),whichistheoldestandlargestlicenseplatecollectorsclubintheworld,isthevibrantgreen-on-pink1915issue.

WiththeoutbreakofWorldWarII,Indianamirroredtheeffortsofotherstatesbycontributingtometalconservation.Thestateissuedonlyasmallattachmentin1943,which

revalidatedthe1942plate.ThisistheonlyyearthatIndianadidnotissueanewplateuntil1984,makingTheHoosierStateafavoriteamongcollectors.Countycodingoflicenseplatesbeganin1950,withAllenCountybeingdesignatedwithletterprefixesfromDDtoDH.Beginningin1963,countycodingwaschangedwiththefirstoneortwonumeralsintheserialnumberindicatingthecountyofissuance.AllenCountywasassignednumber2,andthecodingwasrefinedtoreflect

issuingoffices,whichareidentifiedbyaletterintheserialnumber.FortWaynemotoristsreceivedAthroughH,PandTthroughZ.GrabillwasidentifiedbythelettersJandS,whileNewHavenissuedKthroughNandR.

Now,morethan100yearsafterIndianaissueditsfirstone,wecelebratethestate’sBicentennialwithnothingotherthanaBicentenniallicenseplate.

Page 3: Prepare for Open Enrollment before it’s time to make your ... · Prepare for Open Enrollment before it’s time to make your selections Continued from page 1 did not request a change

The Torch 3

Prepare for Open Enrollment before it’s time to make your selections

Continued from page 1

didnotrequestachangetoyourbenefitswithinthefirst30calendardays,theopenenrollmentperiodisthetimetodoso.Lifeinsurancecanbeconsideredifyoudonotcurrentlycarryit.

Review your dependents and beneficiaries.Thisisanimportantthingtoassessonayearlybasis.Ifyourfamilysituationhaschangedatall,itwillcertainlymeritmakingareviewofyourdependentsandbeneficiaries.

Also,ensureyourdependentsocialsecuritynumbersareincludedinPeopleSoft.UndertheAffordableCareAct,applicablelargeemployersarerequiredtorequestdependents’socialsecuritynumbersforuseincompletingnewIRSforms,1094-Cand1095-C.

HerearetheStepstouploadthisinformation:• LogintoPeopleSoftHR• ClickonMainMenu• ClickSelfService• ClickBenefits• ClickDependentBeneficiary

Information• ClickonChild’sName• ClickEdit• EntertheSocialSecurityNumber• ClickSaveandsignoutof

PeopleSoft

If you are married: compare your coverage against your spouse’s.Ifyouandyourspousehavedifferentcompanybenefits,makesuretoweightheprosandconsofeachhealthinsuranceandoverallbenefitspackage.Sincepremiumscanchange

significantlyinsmaller-andmedium-sizedcompaniesbaseduponlastyear’shealthclaimratings,onecompany’sinsuranceprogramscanbecheaperthananother.Thiscouldbeachangefromtheyearbefore.Comparethelistofdoctorsinyourplantoyourspouse’stoseeifoneplanoffersmorethantheother.Ifyourspouse’sopenenrollmentperiodandeffectivedatesdifferfromthestateplans,planahead.Yourspouse’sopenenrollmentisnotconsideredaqualifyingeventtochangeplansorlevelofcoveragelaterintheyear.Also,ifyou’respouse’splandoesnotoffervisionordental,youmayconsiderpickingoneortheotherfromthestate’splan.

Openenrollmentdoesnotneedtobeastressfultime.Plan,prepareandaskquestionsnowtohelpreducethestresslater.Ifyouhaveanyquestionsaboutyourbenefitsorhaveauniquesituationandrequiresomeguidance,pleasecontacttheSPDBenefitsHotlineat317-232-1167(withinIndianapolis)ortoll-freeat877-248-0007(outsideIndianapolis).

Do you have a passion for personal health and wellness?TheStatePersonnelDepartment(SPD)isseekingenergeticindividualswhohaveadesiretohelpothersattheirworklocationsbyservingasWellnessChampions.AWellnessChampionservesasanambassadorofwellnessfortheiragencyand/orworklocationby:• Leadingthewellnessinitiativeby

examplethroughpracticinghealthybehaviors

• Enthusiasticallypromotingnewandongoingwellnessprogramsandeventstoco-workers

• Assistinginwellnessprogramimprovementanddevelopmentbyprovidingconstructivefeedback

ItisourgoaltohaveanexpansivenetworkofWellnessChampionstopromoteacultureofwellnessthroughoutallStateagenciesandworklocations.Ifthisinterestsyou,pleasereviewtheWellness Champion duties andsubmittheWellness Champion Request FormtobeconsideredfortheWellnessChampionprogram.

SupervisorapprovalisrequiredandthedeadlinetosubmitisOctober 23.Youcanfindtheseformsandinformationregardingotherwellnessprogramsandinitiativesbyvisiting:investinyourhealthindiana.com.

OnceWellnessChampionsareselected,theywillbenotifiedviae-mail.TheStatePersonnelDepartmentplanstohostaWellnessChampiontrainingsessionlaterthisyeartogiveexistingandnewchampionstheopportunitytolearnabouttheirroleandconnectwithotherchampionswithintheiragencyorgeographicarea.

Page 4: Prepare for Open Enrollment before it’s time to make your ... · Prepare for Open Enrollment before it’s time to make your selections Continued from page 1 did not request a change

The Torch4

Continue to engage with HumanaVitality Register your e-mail to get health & wellness updates

Share your wellness testimonial with us! Doyouhaveasuccessstoryyouwanttosharearoundweightloss,healthyeating,fitnessorsuccessyouhaveachievedwithHumanaVitalityorotherwellnessrelatedactivities?Visitourwebsiteandcompletetheformandpossiblyshareaphoto.Wewouldlovetohearfromyou!• Click here and complete the form.

WhetheryouattainedSilverStatusbyAugust31ornot,continuetoengagewithHumanaVitality!Thehealthandwellnessbenefitsfromtheprogramrunfarbeyondthequalificationdeadline.AsyoucontinuetoengagewithHumanaVitality,youcankeepincreasingyourVitalityStatusbyearningmorepointsandbucksthroughouttheremainderoftheyear!AsyourVitalityStatusincreases,sodoesthediscountyoureceiveintheHumanaVitalitymall.YoumayredeemyourVitalityBucksthroughthemallforcoolprizessuchasfitnessdevices,bikes,giftcardsandmuchmore!AfewthingstokeepinmindasyoucontinuetoearnVitalityPointsandBuckswhiletheNewYearapproaches:• 10percentofyourtotalpointsattheendoftheyearwillrolloverto2016.

Thismeansthatthemoreyoudothisyear,theeasierqualifyingcouldbeforyounextyear!

• AnyunusedVitalityBucksstaywithyouinto2016andbeyond!VitalityBucksexpirethreeyearsfromtheendoftheprogramyearinwhichtheywereearned.Forexample,anyunusedVitalityBucksearnedin2015staywithyouuntilyear’sendin2018,assumingyouarestillenrolledinHumanaVitality.

• Doyouenjoyreceivinga10percent,20percent,or40percentdiscountintheHumanaVitalityMallwithyourVitalityBucks?Thisisalldependentonyourrewardstatus,whichwillrolloverwithyouin2016,onceyouhavecompletedtheHealthAssessmentintheNewYear!Youmaycheckyourrewardstatusbyscrollingover“GetHealthy”andclickingon“AchievementDashboard.”

Employeesandtheircovereddependentscanstayupdatedabouttheirstatesponsoredbenefitsoutsideofwork.TheStatePersonnelDepartmenthascreatedanadditionalmailinglistforemployeesandtheirdependentsenrolledinamedicalplanofferedthroughtheStatePersonnelDepartment.

Bysigningupapersonale-mail,yourdependentscanlearnmoreabouttheupcomingOpenEnrollmentperiod,HumanaVitality,thenextqualificationperiodfortheWellnessCDHPandotherInvestInYourHealthwellnessprograminitiatives.Thisisagreatoptionforemployeesthatmaynothaveastatee-mailaddressattheircurrentjob.

• To sign up for this new e-mail list, visit this link.

You’llbeaskedtocompleteabriefsubscriptionprocessincludingtheoptionofsettingupapasswordfortheaccount.

Artwork by Jerry Williams

Page 5: Prepare for Open Enrollment before it’s time to make your ... · Prepare for Open Enrollment before it’s time to make your selections Continued from page 1 did not request a change

The Torch 5

Get your flu shot at one of the state sponsored clinicsknownasCHIRP(ChildrenandHoosier’sImmunizationRegistryProgram)andHumanaVitality.

Thebestprotectionagainstthefluistogetaflushoteveryyearbeforethefluseasonstarts.Sinceinfluenzaviruseschangeovertime,itisimportanttogetashoteveryyear.Eachyearthevaccineisreformulatedtoincludethetypesoffluvirusexpectedtocauseillnessduringthatfluseason.Thevaccinebeginstoprotectyouwithinafewdaysaftervaccination,butthevaccineisnotfullyeffectiveuntilabout14daysaftervaccination.

Ifyouarewonderingifyoushouldgetavaccine,adetailedlistcanbefoundatWhoShouldGetVaccinatedagainstInfluenza.Get Vitality Points for your flu shotEarnVitalityPointswhenyouoryourcoveredadultdependents

receiveaflushot.If you attended a state sponsored clinic, you do not need to submit anything for Vitality Points.ThisinformationwillbesenttoHumanaVitalityandyourpointswillbereflectedinyouraccount.However,pleaseallowup to 30 days foryourpointstoshowupinyourHumanaVitalityaccount.

If you receive your flu shot at another location,youwillneedtosubmitproofforVitalityPoints.Youcangetrewardedbysubmittingthepreventionactivityformonline,fromyourmobiledeviceorbymailorfaxwithin90daysoftheimmunization.Remembertosaveproofofyouractivitytobeincludedwithyourself-submission.

• Clickheretoviewthestepsonhowtoself-submitinformationforaflushotinHumanaVitality

• Viewacompletelistofclinicsonourwebsite

KrogerpharmacistsarehostingaflushotclinicsatmanystatefacilitiesacrossIndiana.TheclinicattheGovernmentCentercampusisOctober 14 and 15 from7:30a.m.to3:30p.m.inConferenceRoomsA&B.TheStatehouseAtriumisscheduledforOctober 20.IfyoudonotcarryStateinsurance,thecostis$20payablebycashorcheck. Please Note:ifyouplantobringachildundertheageof11,itisnecessarytohaveawrittenprescriptionfromthedoctororapharmacisttoadministerafluvaccine.Sincepreventivecareservicesarecoveredbythehealthplanat100percent,employeeswiththestate’shealthplanandtheireligibledependentsshouldgetvaccinated.

YoumustbringyourAnthemIDcardandacompletedwaiverpriortoreceivingthevaccination:• Inactivatedshotconsentform-

Learn more• Livenasalvaccineconsentform

KrogerPharmaciesarealsoadministeringvaccinesatparticipatingretaillocations.Vaccinationsmayalsobeadministeredatyourdoctor’soffice,retailpharmacyornearbywalk-inclinic.Evenatanyoftheselocations,thestate’shealthplancovers100percentofthecost,ifyoucarrystateinsurance.

IndianaStatePoliceHealthCarePlanMembersareeligibletoutilizetheseclinics;however,youmustcompleteaseparateclaimformandbringitwithyoutotheclinic.StatePoliceHumanResourceswillbesendingfurtherinformationregardingflushotsthatwillhavetheappropriateclaimforms.

VaccinationsreceivedatstatesponsoredclinicswillbecommunicatedtoboththeIndianaStateDepartmentofHealth’sImmunizationInformationSystem

Date(s) Time(s) Name of Agency Location/City

10/6,10/7 3p.m.–7p.m.RockvilleCorrectional

Facility811West50North,Rockville,IN47872

10/14,10/157:30a.m.–3:30

p.m.IndianaGovernment

CenterSouthIndianapolis

10/1410a.m.–1

p.m.INDOTLaPorte

District315E.BoydBlvd.LaPorte,IN46350

10/198a.m.–12

p.m.ISDHCentralOffice

2N.MeridianSt,Indianapolis,IN

10/207:30a.m.–3:30p.m

Statehouse Indianapolis

10/2111a.m.–1

p.m

HoosierLotteryandHorseRacing

Commission

1302NMeridianSt,Suite100,

Indianapolis,IN46202

10/27,10/281:30p.m.–5:30p.m.

WabashValleyCorrectionalFacility

6908S.OldUSHwy41,Carlisle,IN

47838

10/29 2p.m.–7p.m. IndianaStatePrison1ParkRow,

MichiganCity,IN46360

Page 6: Prepare for Open Enrollment before it’s time to make your ... · Prepare for Open Enrollment before it’s time to make your selections Continued from page 1 did not request a change

The Torch6

Surgeon General’s call to action encourages Hoosiers to walk their way to better health Thenexttimesomeonesays“takeawalk,”offertotakethemuponit.Andaskthemtojoinyou.

UnitedStatesSurgeonGeneralVivekH.Murthy,M.D.,MBA,hascalledforcommunitiestotakeactiontoincreasewalkingandwalkabilityandtoimprovethehealthofAmericans.IndianaStateHealthCommissionerJeromeAdams,M.D.,M.P.H.,isurgingHoosierstoacceptthechallenge.

“Walkingisoneofthemostcommonformsofphysicalactivity,andit’soneoftheeasiestwaystoexercisebecauseitcanbedonealmostanywhere,”Dr.Adamssaid.“Regularphysicalactivitylikewalkingcanhelppeopleofallagesimprovetheirhealth.”

Centuriesago,walkingwasasignificantpartofthehumanexistence,withtownsandvillagesdesignedtosupporthumantransportbyfoot.Butthathaschangedasourrelianceonautomobileshasincreased.The2013BehavioralRiskFactorSurveillanceSystemfoundthatonly48percentofU.S.adultsgetatleast150minutesofactivityaweekasrecommendedinthefederalgovernment’s2008PhysicalActivityGuidelines.TherateisevenlowerinIndiana,wherejust44percentofHoosieradultsmeettheguidelines.

Thislackofactivitycanincreasetheriskofdevelopingawiderangeofhealthissues,includingobesity,heartdisease,diabetesandcertaintypesofcancer.

TheCentersforDiseaseControlandPreventionsayswalkingbrisklyformorethantwohoursaweekcanhelppeoplemeetthePhysicalActivity

Guidelines.Herearesometipstogetyoustartedandtomakewalkingmorefun:• Parkthecarattheshopping

centerandwalktoallyournearbyerrands.

• Findawalkingbuddy.Meetatthesametimemostdaystogoforabriskwalk.

• Hostawalkingmeetingwithworkcolleagues.

• MakeaWalk-and-Talkdatewithafriendorfamilymember.Takeawalkinglunchbreakatwork.Keepextrashoesandsocksintheoffice.

• Ifyou’rewaitingatanappointment,lookforopportunitiestopassthetimebywalkingaroundtheblockoratanearbyparkorfield.

• Findaconvenientwalkingpathnearyourhome,workoranywhereyouwillbe.

Formoreideasabouthowtogetmoving,visitINShapeIndianaatwww.inshapeindiana.org/213.htm.

“Thegreatthingaboutwalkingisyoucandoitbyyourself,withafewfriendsorinagroup,”saidDr.Adams.“Listentomusicwhileyouwalkortalkwithfriends.Ifyoucantakeatleastonebriskwalkaday,youwillstarttoseeimprovementsinyourhealth.”

Sotakeawalk.Thebenefitsareimmeasurable.VisittheIndianaStateDepartmentofHealthatwww.StateHealth.in.gov.HoosierswhodonothavehealthcarecoverageoraccesstoadoctorareencouragedtocheckavailabilityforthenewHealthyIndianaPlan—HIP2.0—byvisitingwww.HIP.IN.govorcalling1-877-GET-HIP-9.

Governor Mike Pence and state employees participate in a Mile With Mike during the annual State Employee Health & Wellness Month.

Page 7: Prepare for Open Enrollment before it’s time to make your ... · Prepare for Open Enrollment before it’s time to make your selections Continued from page 1 did not request a change

The Torch 7

Know the symptoms in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month

OctoberisBreastCancerAwarenessmonth.Breastcanceristhesecond-leadingcauseofcancerdeath,andexcludingskincancers,themostfrequentlydiagnosedcanceramongwomenintheU.S.AccordingtotheIndianaCancerFactsandFigures2015report,anaverageof4,415womenwerediagnosedwithbreastcancer,and882womendiedasaresultofbreastcancer,from2008to2012.Breastcancerisrareamongmen;however,becausemenarepronetoignoringwarningsigns,theyareoftendiagnosedatlaterstagesandhavepoorerprognoses.

Sexandagearethetwogreatestriskfactorsfordevelopingbreastcancer.Womenhaveamuchgreaterriskthanmen,andthatriskincreaseswithage.InIndiana,79percentofallbreastcancercasesand88percentofbreastcancerdeathsoccurinwomenovertheageof50.

Modifiableriskfactorsassociatedwithincreasedbreastcancerriskincludeweightgainaftertheageof18,beingoverweightorobese,useofmenopausalhormonetherapy,physicalinactivityandalcoholconsumption.Researchalsoindicatesthatlong-term,heavysmokingincreasesbreastcancerrisk,particularlyamongwomenwhostartsmokingbeforetheirfirstpregnancy.Additionalriskfactorsincludefamilyhistory,race,reproductivefactorsandcertainmedicalfindings,suchashighbreasttissuedensity,highbonemineraldensity,type2diabetes,certainbenign(non-cancerous)breastconditionsandlobularcarcinomainsitu.Inaddition,high-doseradiationtothechestforcancertreatmentincreasesrisk.

Commonsignsandsymptomsofbreastcancerincludeanewlumpormass;hardknots,orthickening;swelling,warmth,rednessordarkening;changeinsizeorshape;dimplingorpuckeringoftheskin;itchy,scaly,soreorrashonthenipple;pullinginofthenippleorotherpartsofthebreast,nippledischargethatstartssuddenly;ornewpainononespotthatdoesn’tgoaway.Althoughthesesymptomscanbecausedbythingsotherthanbreastcancer,itisimportanttohavethemcheckedbyahealthcareprovider.

Regularbreastcancerscreeningscanhelpdiagnosecancerearly,whentreatmentismostlikelytobesuccessful.Womenshouldhavefrequentconversationswiththeirhealthcareproviderabouttheirrisksforbreastcancerandhowoftentheyshouldbescreened.Ingeneral,womenshouldfollowtheserecommendations:• Breast self-awareness:Womenin

their20sshouldbeawareofthenormallookandfeeloftheirbreastssothattheycanidentifypotentiallydangerouschanges.

• Clinical breast exams:TheACSrecommendsthatwomenintheir20sand30shaveaclinicalbreastexambyahealthcareprofessionaleverythreeyears.Asymptomaticwomenintheir40sshouldhaveyearlyclinicalbreastexams.

• Screening mammograms:TheUnitedStatesPreventiveServicesTaskForcerecommendsascreeningmammogrameverytwoyearsfor

womenages50-74,whichcanhelpdetectcancerbeforealumpcanbefelt.Womenages40-49,especiallythosewithafamilyhistoryofbreastcancer,shoulddiscusstherisksandbenefitsofmammographywiththeirhealthcareprovidertodetermineifitisrightforthem.

Accordingtothe2014IndianaBehavioralRiskFactorSurveillanceSystem,72.4percentofwomenages50-74havehadamammograminthepasttwoyears.TheAffordableCareActrequirespreventivescreeningservicestobeincludedinmostinsurancepolicies.Often,theseservicesarepaidinfull.Forstateemployeeswithstate-providedmedicalbenefits,preventivecareservicesarecoveredat100percentwithnodeductibleatin-networkproviders.Thisincludesscreeningsforbreastcancer,cervicalcancer,colorectalcancerandprostatecancer.(Althoughroutineprostatespecificantigen(PSA)testingisacoveredprocedure,theUnitedStatesPreventiveServicesTaskForcerecommendsthatmenbeinformeddecisionmakersanddiscusswhetherornotscreeningisappropriateforthemgiventheirpersonalrisk,familyhistoryandpersonalbeliefs.)

Forthosenotcoveredbythestate’shealthinsurance,theIndianaBreastandCervicalCancerProgram(BCCP)providesaccesstobreastandcervicalcancerscreenings,diagnostictesting,andtreatmentforunderservedandunderinsuredwomenwhoqualifyforservices.Eligibilityisdeterminedbyageandgrossincomeinrelationtofamilysize.FormoreinformationvisittheBCCPwebpage.

Thanks to the Indiana State Department of Health for this submission.

Page 8: Prepare for Open Enrollment before it’s time to make your ... · Prepare for Open Enrollment before it’s time to make your selections Continued from page 1 did not request a change

The Torch8

Help prevent cancer with a healthy diet and these other tipsOctoberisNationalBreastCancerAwarenessMonth.Itshouldberememberedthatgoodnutritioncanloweryourriskofdevelopingmultipletypesofcancer.Infact,nutritionguidelinesforcancerpreventionaremuchlikethoserecommendedtopreventothermedicalconcernssuchas,heartdisease,diabetesandobesity.Althoughnoonefoodhasbeenproventopreventcancer,whatweeathasbeenlinkedtofightcancersbothdirectlyandindirectlyasnotedbytheAmericanCancerSociety’s(ACS)recommendationsfornutritionandphysicalactivity.ThefollowingtipsareacompilationofguidelinesfromtheACS,TheAcademyofNutritionandDieteticsandtheAmericanInstituteforCancerResearch,toguideyouonapathtocancerprevention:

Maintain a Healthy WeightBeasleanaspossiblewithoutbecomingunderweight!Researchdemonstratesastronglinkbetweenbodyfatandcancer.Consumingfoodsthatarehighincaloriesbutlowinnutrients,canleadtoweightgainanddecreasedappetiteforfoodsthathavemorecancerfightingproperties.Althoughscienceisn’texactlysurehow,thesesevencancersappeartohaveastrongerconnectiontoincreasedbodyfat:esophagus, pancreas, colon and rectum, breast (after menopause), kidney, endometrial and gallbladder.

Eat Vegetables, Fruits and Whole GrainsMake3/4ofyourplateplantbasedbyeatingmorefruitsandvegetables,includingbeans,andwholegrains.Researchshowsfruitsandvegetableslikelylowertheriskofthefollowingcancers:Lung,OralandEsophageal,StomachandColon.Althoughit’sstilluncertainwhichspecificcomponentsprovideprotection,it’srecommended

thatwechooseanarrayofcolorfulfruitsandvegetablesandmorewholegrains.Evidencesuggestsfoodshighindietaryfiber;vitamins,mineralsandphytonutrientsarehelpful.Consideraddingmoreofthesetoyourdiet:• Cruciferousanddark,leafygreen

vegetables:spinach,broccoli,cauliflower,Brusselssprouts,cabbage,collards,kale

• Fruits:citrus,berries,cherries• Whole-grains:oats,barley,bulgur,

whole-grainpastas,breads,cereals,crackers

• Legumes:driedbeansandpeas,lentils,soybeans

Monitor Meat PortionsConsumingadietthatincludesmeathasnotyetbeendefinitivelyshowntoeitherincreaseordecreasetheriskofcancer.Somestudiessuggestalinkbetweencoloncancerandeatinglargeamountsofredmeat,particularlyprocessedmeatsuchaslunchmeats,ham,baconandhotdogs,butthisresearchisnotconclusive.Animalproteinprovidesallnineessentialaminoacidsandanappropriatewayformanytogetthisdailyrequirement.Itisrecommendedthatwemonitorportionsizebasedonourbodies’needs.

Eat Whole FoodsResearchsuggestssomerelationshipbetweenthenutrientsfoundnaturallyinfoodsandtheirprotectiveability.Whilesupplementscanbeusefulforthosewhoareunabletoeatordrinksomehealthfulfoods,thebestsourcefornutrientsingeneralarefoundinthewholefoodsfirst.Somesupplementsmaycauseharmfulinteractionswithmedicationsorothermedicalconditionsandshouldbecarefullyconsideredwiththeadviceofyourphysician,pharmacistandregistereddietitian.For

moreinformationonthelatest“cancerfightingfoods”seetheAmericanInstituteforCancerResearch’swebsite.

Limit AlcoholEvidencesuggestsalltypesofalcoholicdrinkscouldincreasecancerrisk,particularlythoseofthemouth,pharynx,larynx,esophagus,breastandcolon.Expertsrecommendnomorethanonedrinkadayforwomenandtwoformen.

Be Physically ActiveMaintainingahealthyweightismorethanjusteatingtherightfoods.Engaginginregularexercisecanhelpreduceyourrisk,allowyoutomaintainahealthyweightandassistincontrolandpreventionofothermedicalconditions.Aminimumof30minutesofmoderatephysicalactivitymostdaysoftheweekisrecommended.Briskwalksatlunchoragameoftagwithyourkidsintheyardareacoupleofwaystoincreasedailyactivityabovethenormalroutine.

Watch out for MythsBewaryoffoodslabeledasa“superfood”asthisamarketingstrategy,notsomethingbasedinscience.Othermythsarethatcancerfeedsoffofsugarsoitmustbeeliminatedfromthedietandthatdietarycleanserscanhelppreventcancer.Ifitsoundstoogoodtobetrue,itprobablyis.

Thank you to Dustin Reed, MS, RD, CD, Indiana Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics for this submission.

Page 9: Prepare for Open Enrollment before it’s time to make your ... · Prepare for Open Enrollment before it’s time to make your selections Continued from page 1 did not request a change

The Torch 9

Bicentennial Commission visits Lake County

Bicentennial Commission

TheIndianaBicentennialCommissionhelditsmonthlyboardmeetingonSept.18,2015,attheLakeCountyPublicLibrary.

LakeCounty,themostNorthwestcountyinIndiana,isthemostbiologicallydiverseinthestate,thankstotheglaciersandresultantsanddunes.Awhopping

80percentofthestate’sbiodiversityisrepresentedthere,accordingtocommissionmemberMaryMcConnell.

LakeCountyhaseightendorsedlegacyprojectsandplanstosubmitmore.

Clerk-TreasurerofHighlandandLakeCountyCommissionmemberMichaelGriffinwantstokickofftheBicentennialbyflyingtheBicentennialflagandthe20-starflag.Hebelievesthatthiswillshowthecounty’sprideinitsmanylegacyprojects.Doyouknowwhythe20-starflagisimportant?SendyouranswertousonFacebook.‘Like’uswhileyouarethere.

DougRoss,ofTimesMediaGroup,saidtheNWTimesisworkingwiththeStateLibrarytocreateamicrofilmprojectthatwilldigitizeLakeCountynewspapersandhelpwithgenealogy.ThiswillalloweasyaccesstothereportingandrecordingofNorthwestIndianahistoryasithappened.

OtherLakeCountyprojectsincludeplanstobeautifytheentrypointstothecounty,buildacountycomplexandcreateaspecialwebsitefortheLakeCountyLibrary.LakeCountyisalsopartneringwiththeirHistorical

SocietyonamuseumartifactsexhibitandaKoreanWarVeteransprojectandphotobook.

JasperCountyCoordinatorKarenWilsonandcountyCo-ChairSheilaSchroederannouncedthattheircounty’sveryfirstlegacyproject,EvergladesoftheNorth:TheStoryoftheGrandKankakeeMarsh,wasendorsedthisround.Youcanlookituponourwebsite,www.indiana2016.org,andusethesearchfeaturetogetthedetails.Theyareworkingtosubmitotherprojectssuchasplantingtulips,creatingaJasperCountyMagazineandworkingatJamesHanleyParkandDutchTown.Thecommitteeplanstoworkwitheachtowninthecountytogetprojectsunderway.

NewtonCountyCo-CoordinatorLarryLyonsannouncedthathiscounty,theyoungestcountyinthestatebytheway,alsohaditsfirstprojectendorsedthisround.Titled“Hazelden–HomeofGeorgeAde,”focusesonthelifeofthefamousnewspapercolumnist,humoristandmostprolificplaywright.NewtonCountywillcelebrateAdeandtheBicentennialbyhostingIndiana’s200thbirthdaypartyatGeorgeAde’shome,Hazelden,nearBrook.

TheCommissionwaspleasedtoendorse80projectsattheSeptembermeeting.Sevenofthe40countiessubmittingprojects,includingJasperandNewton,werefirsttimeapplicants.TheseprojectsbringthetotalnumberofBicentennialLegacyProjectsto574statewide,in83counties.ThedeadlineforthenextroundofprojectapplicationsisOctober15,forconsiderationattheCommission’snextmeetingOctober27.

10-digit dialing to begin next year

IURC

Inlessthanayear,alllocalcallsinthe317areacodewillhavetobeplacedusingthe10-digitphonenumber.TheswitchwillhappenSeptember17,2016.Stateofficialssaythenew463areacodewillbeaddedtotheregionbecause317issettorunoutofnumbers.

TheIndianaUtilityRegulatoryCommissionorderedanareacodeoverlayforthe317regioninApril2015.Theoverlaydoesnotrequirecustomerstochangetheirexistingareacode.StartingOctober17,2016,newtelephonelinesorservicesmaybeassignednumbersusingthenew463areacode.

Officialssaytherewillbeasix-monthgraceperiodstartingMarch19,2016togiveconsumerstimetoadjusttothechanges.Stateofficialssaycallsthatarecurrentlylocalwillcontinuetobelocal,eventhough10-digitdialingwillberequired.Forlongdistancecalls,consumerswilldial1,plustheareacode,plusthephonenumber.

Meantime,customersareencouragedtocheckandincludetheareacodeonitemslikepersonalorpetIDtags,businessstationary,personalchecks,life-safetysystems,alarmandsecuritysystems,gatesandmobilephonecontactlists.

Page 10: Prepare for Open Enrollment before it’s time to make your ... · Prepare for Open Enrollment before it’s time to make your selections Continued from page 1 did not request a change

Due to space limitations, this year’s event is open only to employees enrolled in Hoosier S.T.A.R.T.

and those employees interested in learning more about the program. to register for

the dinner in your area. For questions or help registering, contact Vicky Wright Hunt at (877) 243-4192

or .

Click here

[email protected]

INDIANAPOLIS Tuesday, October 20, 2015Indiana Roof BallroomRegistration - 3:30Program - 4 :00

MADISONWednesday, October 28, 2015Clifty Falls Inn Registration - 4 :30Program - 5 :00

EVANSVILLEThursday, October 29, 2015EVANSVILLEOld National BankRegistration - 4 :30 CST

Program - 5 :00 CST

FORT WAYNEWednesday, November 4, 2015The Landmark CenterRegistration - 4 :30Program - 5 :00

SCHERERVILLEThursday, November 5, 2015Teibel’s Family RestaurantRegistration - 4 :30 CST

Program - 5 :00 CST

Pete the Plannerpersonal finance expert will, once

again, be our featured speaker.

PASTPRESENTfuture

Building your retirement today!

ANNUAL EDUCATIONAL

DINNERS

HOOSIER S.T.A.R.T. AND STATE AUDITOR SUZANNE CROUCH ANNOUNCE THE 2015

Pete will be joined in Indianapolis by his associate Dan Veto, founder of Retirement Spark!, for the Past &

Present portion of the program

Is your financial life running out of time? From the day you begin work you're on a countdown to retirement, but your financial life is more than just a race to retirement.

Your financial life is broken down into your PAST, PRESENT, & FUTURE. This year’s program will help you fix your financial past so in your financial present

you can focus on your financial future.

In addition to our featured speaker, Hoosier S.T.A.R.T. representatives will be available to answer your questions and give you the

chance to schedule an appointment. Please select the location that works best for you. We look forward to seeing you there!

AllHoosiersareinvitedtotakeabriefsurveybetweennowandOctober7.• Click here to complete the survey

TheIndianaOfficeofUtilityConsumerCounselor(OUCC)isseekingfeedbackonutilitybillingpractices,includingwaystomakebillsmoreunderstandableandhelpfultothecustomer.Allsurveyresponseswillremainconfidential.Informationwillbereportedinaggregateandthesurveywillnotaskforyourname.

TheOUCCisparticipatinginautilitybillingsymposiumhostedbytheIndianaUtilityRegulatoryCommission(IURC).Thepurposeofthesymposiumisforconsumergroupsandutilitiestohaveopendialogueaboutbillingbestpracticesaswellasaddressingbillingconcerns.

Yourparticipationisgreatlyappreciated!ThesurveyisalsolinkedfromtheOUCC’shomepageatwww.IN.gov/OUCC.

Take this survey for the Office of the Utility Consumer Counselor

Page 11: Prepare for Open Enrollment before it’s time to make your ... · Prepare for Open Enrollment before it’s time to make your selections Continued from page 1 did not request a change

Ma

TO 2 InN3In  

 

BROYOU

ayor Greg

TUESDAY OCTOBER

2:00 pm –

ndiana WNorth Cam777 Priorityndianapolis

OUGHT TO  U BY: 

ReadyfuturBE R

g Ballard a

 6, 2015 

– 7:00 pm

Wesleyan mpus y Way Souts, IN 46240 

y or not,

re is com

READY

 

and the C

Universit

th Drive 

the

ming.

Y. 

ww

IndFinFreeFreeNo 

In tofor yimpooppoconsmattCERTprof

In adconson athrolong

It’s 

City of Ind

ty 

1‐8

REG

ww.Financi

dianapnancial e one‐on‐onee financial wstrings att

oday’s uncertayour financial fortant than evortunity for a sultation on fiter to you witTIFIED FINANCessionals.   

ddition to onesultations, the variety of finaughout the dag as you’d like.

all free. B

dianapoli

877‐861‐78

GISTER TODAY

ialPlanning

polis Plannine personaliz

workshops! tached. 

ain economy, future is morever. Don’t misfree, private nancial issuesh highly qualifCIAL PLANNER

e‐on‐one ere will be worancial topics ay. Stay as litt.  

Bring a frie

is invite Y

826 

Y FOR FREE A

gDays.org/

ng Day zed financial 

planning e s this 

 that fied R™ 

rkshops 

le or as 

nd! 

Tbcirtheieesa

YOU to 

AT 

/Indianapo

advice.  

Topics  budgeting  credit and debtnvesting  retirement  taxes  homeownershiestate planningnsurance  employee beneeducation savinsmall business and many more

olis 

t  

ip  g 

efits  ngs   e! 

 

Page 12: Prepare for Open Enrollment before it’s time to make your ... · Prepare for Open Enrollment before it’s time to make your selections Continued from page 1 did not request a change

Save

OFF

Offer valid only at the property and dates listed above. Valid on a per night basis and must be mentioned at time of reservation based on 2015 best available rates. Limited number of rooms available for each date. May not be valid during holiday and blackout periods or combined with any other discount or promotional offers. Multiple night minimum stay may apply. Offer based on 4 guests per room and must have one individual 21 years of age or older staying in each room. Offer may be terminated at any time without notice. Offer is not transferable and is not redeemable for cash. Must present valid work ID or documentation at check-in. Limit of 2 rooms per valid ID. Additional charges may apply for themed and premium suites, weekends, and/or holidays.

For more information or reservations, visit greatwolf.com or call 866.925.WOLF (9653). USE CORPORATE CODE:

%

20

Be rewarded with Great Wolf Perks. You’re going to love winding down our water slides, dining in one of our Northwoods-themed restaurants and building great family traditions.

Great Wolf Lodge® amenities include:

· 84-degree colossal indoor water park

· Daily Wolf Walk™ and Story Time

· Spacious Northwoods family suites

· Fantastic specialty-themed restaurants – and much more!

So clear your calendar, pack the swimsuits and

head to Great Wolf Lodge.

Valid through December 30, 2015.

Includes water park admission the day you arrive through the day you depart.

Must present valid work ID or documentation at check-in.

State of Indiana

Great Wolf Lodge- Cincinnati/Mason

Great Wolf Lodge-Sandusky

INDI462B