Vote for your favorite Fit & Festive Action Photo!

Please review the following photo contest entries and vote by January 2 by clicking here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/fitfestivephoto.

Darcie A. competes with her horse, Jet.

Lynette and Joe R. visit the Delicate Arch in Arches National Park this fall.

Robert R. receives an award for Nordic skiing.

Steve H. gets in the holiday spirit during a Turkey Trot race.

Live Life Well Incentive - Questions Answered! October 31, 2017 Deadline

Time is running out!

You can still earn your Live Life Well Incentive this year!

Dear State of Montana Plan Members,

Time is running out to earn your Live Life Well Incentive for this year!  The deadline for completion and reporting of activities is October 31, 2017.  You can find full details about how to earn your incentive here: www.benefits.mt.gov/incentive.

Many of you are working on completing your Next Steps activity.  If that is you, and you have any questions, we would like to invite you to join us for a ½ hour informational webinar.

Live Life Well Incentive - Questions Answered!

Date: September 12, Tuesday, 9:30-10:00 AM.

Location: Via webinar – any place with access to the Internet!

Are you sure you’re getting your full Live Life Well Incentive this year?  Do you have any questions that you need answered?  Just want to make sure you have the most up-to-date information?  Then tune in on your computer to this quick, informative webinar.  We will go over the whole Live Life Well Incentive program, but the majority of the time will be spent on the Next Steps Incentive and answering participant questions.    

To Register: Click on this link to register: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/nextstep17.  Webinar link will be sent to registered participants.  A recording will be available at the web site below 1 day after the webinar is completed.

To earn the Next Steps Incentive: don’t forget to self-report your eligible activity - required to earn this incentive - and that you must have a health screening to earn any incentive.  Click on this link for details: www.benefits.mt.gov/nextstepincentive.   

Please note:  There are classes and webinars coming up in September that can help you earn the Next Steps Incentive!  Please see the full list here: http://benefits.mt.gov/Live-Life-Well/Wellness-Workshops.  Among other options, there will be a Tobacco Cessation Workshop that will help you earn BOTH the Nicotine Free Incentive and the Next Steps Incentive! 

The State Plan offers the incentive program to all plan members and their enrolled spouse/domestic partner.  If you think you may be unable to meet a standard of the incentive program, you may qualify for an alternative program or different means to earn the incentive. You must contact the Health Care & Benefits Division (HCBD) as soon as possible at 800-287-8266 or email livelifewell@mt.gov.  We will work with you (and if you wish, your doctor) to design a program with the same incentive that is right for you.  Any personal medical information gathered during the course of the incentive program is protected by and will be treated consistent with the HIPAA Privacy and Security Rules.  A copy of the Plan’s privacy notice is available on the HCBD website or by going to http://benefits.mt.gov/Portals/59/Documents/hipaa%20notice.pdf. 

Success Story: Kimberley MacHardy

Kimberley shared her story and wonderful pictures with us, we hope that you take the time to read and be inspired by everything Kim has achieved!  We know we are, and the message of hope is one that many of us really need to hear.  Here it is in Kim’s words. Enjoy!



Kim with her best friend Whisper.  She says, "When riding we become one..."

Kim LOVES winter sports!

“I’ve been living with an incurable cancer for 6-1/2 years now and my doctors are always amazed at how well I’m doing relative to other people with Adenoid Cystic carcinoma.  I have accepted the fact that my life will end, but it will for everyone, so why worry about it.  Just live every day to the fullest and enjoy the time you have left.  That is how I’ve been living since my diagnosis. 

Kim loves gardening (and it looks like it loves her too).

It isn’t about how long you live, it’s about how much you enjoy the time you have while you’re here and I always try my best to make the most of every day, so when my end comes I will be able to look back and say, “what a WONDERFUL life it has been” and pass away without any regrets.  I had radiation on my right lung last summer and am trying a new chemo to see if it will shrink the tiny tumor that is paralyzing the pallet in the roof of my mouth.  I only have ½ my tongue left after tumor removal 6/1-2 years ago and had to undergo multiple surgeries, radiation, living on a feeding tube.  Then speech therapy and physical therapy on my arm for the large skin graft used to rebuild my mouth.  During my recovery I had to learn how to eat orally again.  It was a long 2 year process to recovery but I fought through it.  The cancer had spread to my lungs and liver before my diagnosis so I now battle hundreds of lung tumors and now a new tumor in the back of my throat that is making eating and speaking even more difficult.  It takes me about 2 hours to eat a normal meal that most people can eat in 10 minutes. 



Hiking in the Sluice Boxes

Skiing into a cabin at Chief Joseph Pass

You have to accept changes in life as your “NEW NORMAL” and move on and never look back at what once was, because you can never go back.  That’s what I do.  I refuse to let cancer take the joy out of my life or prevent me from enjoying the time I have left.  I keep doing everything that I’ve always done, hiking in the wilderness, horseback riding, biking, camping, gardening and cooking and baking.  I have always LOVED cooking gourmet food and I still do, even though I can’t taste much anymore.  I still eat well and exercise daily to keep myself strong.  Life is a gift not to be taken lightly, but to be appreciated every day.  I only wish everyone could look at life this way.  If they did, the small stuff wouldn’t really matter.

Biking in Yellowstone

I love to share my joy of life with others with the hope that they will look at life in a more positive way and appreciate it to the fullest.  I hope this inspires others to get out and enjoy life, regardless of how bad things are at times.  As long as I am alive, I will keep on LIVING!”  Thank you Kimberley for sharing your amazing (continuing) success story!  We will all do our best to appreciate the gift of life, look forward, and live every day to the fullest!!



Ice fishing at Georgetown Lake

Vote for your favorite Stay Active photo!! Voting closes July 27 by midnight.

Please look through each of the photo entries below.  Then click on the link at the bottom and vote for your favorites!

Karen C. Hiking in MT

Valerie W. Hike the Hill 1

Valerie W. Hike the Hill 2

Carli C. They wanted to go again!

Sara M. Chronic Disease Bureau Hike 1

Jennifer A. First 10K Finish

Kendra N. Backpacking to Chinese Wall 1

Joe H. Mountain Biking in Helena

Sandra C. Park workout for Stay Active

Joe H. Fruita Bike Festival

Soozi E. Stay Active Hike support group

Jennifer A. Windy Walking!

Mickey W. Sluice Boxes

Holli R. Whitefish Lake swimming - 3 times to the dock with Chacos and children!

Lori B. Celebrates teammate Ron - who starts each day with a walker but progresses to a hike in Refrigerator Canyon

Mickey W. Hiking includes water

Kendra N. Backpacking trip to Chinese Wall 2

Kendra N. Backpacking trip to Chinese Wall 3

Laura T. Mt. Wright Climb

Denise G. Staying Active with Fur baby!

Please write down your three favorite photos using the caption underneath.  Then click on this link to vote: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/saphoto17.  THANK YOU FOR HELPING US DECIDE!

Bike Walk Montana! FREE Bicycle Safety Classes, PLUS it's time for the Commuter Challenge!

Bicycle Safety Classes  During April, May, and June Bike Walk Montana will be leading several adult bicycle safety classes.  Whether you are a new or seasoned rider, you will benefit from this class! Get updated on all the laws relevant to bicycling, how and where to ride safely, practice a variety of skills that will make your riding easier and safer, and practice riding in traffic.  Register today! Helena - April 22 Bozeman - April 23 Butte - April 30 Billings - May 6 Glasgow - June 3

 

 

Montana Commuter Challenge

 

Registration for the Montana Commuter Challenge is now open! Click here to Register Now!!   Thank you to PacificSource Health Plans and the MT Department of Public Health and Human Services for partnering together with Bike Walk Montana again by being a major sponsor of this important event to encourage people to actively commute to work!      Thank you to the other Commuter Challenge sponsors: Bozeman Health, the MT Department of Transportation, Land Solutions, TD&H Engineering. Upcoming Bike Walk Events Bicyclists are Kind - Legislative Bike Ride, Helena Wednesday, April 12 You and the Legislators are invited to join us for an easy ride through Helena. More information   Bozeman Bike Swap Saturday, April 16th  Buy and sell new and used bicycles and accessories More information Helena Bike Swap and Expo Saturday, April 29th Buy and sell new and used bicycles and accessories while learning more about bicycling in the Helena area More information Montana Statewide Commuter Challenge May 1-31st  Registration is now open! Participate in the active transportation commuter challenge! More information Missoula in Motion Annual Commuter Challenge May 1-14th  Get active with Missoula in Motion during their commuter challenge.  More information  Full Event Calendar Here

Great Falls, Havre, Wolf Point, Sidney, Glendive, Glasgow - don't miss out!

Attention Great Falls, Havre, Wolf Point, Sidney, Glendive, Glasgow areas – we are coming to you, and for some areas it’s the only time!  Don’t miss out!  Make your appointment today.

The State-Sponsored health screening is the first step toward earning your 2018 Live Life Well Incentive!  

Schedule your State-sponsored health screening at a Montana Health Center OR at an off-site event. 

PLEASE NOTE: If you need to add a A1C, TSH, or PSA, you must bring a prescription/doctor’s orders with you to your appointment.  No other tests can be added to off-site screenings.  If you are attending a screening at a health center, you may be able to add other lab (blood) tests with a prescription. 

Health Screenings: Do you need a prescription?

Dear State of Montana Plan Members,
Great news!  You can earn a Live Life Well Incentive again this Plan Year!  The first step towards earning your incentive is a State-sponsored health screening.  State-sponsored health screenings are a great way to keep track of your health in a cost-effective way for you and for your State of Montana Benefit Plan.  Prior to attending your screening, please check if the following change affects you so your experience is a good one!  NEW FOR 2017
If you need to add the following lab tests to your State-sponsored screening, you must bring a prescription from your doctor.  The following applies for all plan members (including Medicare-eligible retirees).

•     HbA1c 
•     PSA (PSA's are no longer generally recommended as a preventive test.)
•     TSH

NO other additional tests can be added at the off-site screenings.  At the Montana Health Centers ONLY - additional lab tests can be added if you bring a prescription with you to your State-sponsored screening.  A CBC, CMP, lipid panel and cotinine test are included at both off-site and Montana Health Center screenings. 
If you need a prescription, many times you can simply call and request a prescription from your provider’s office.
You can find full details on our health screening web page: http://healthcenter.mt.gov/Health-Screenings.

Tobacco Cessation Webinar! Plus Helena-area Weight Watchers

Tobacco Cessation Webinar!

Completion of this workshop is a Nicotine Free Incentive as well as a Next Step Incentive eligible activity - it is that important to quit using tobacco!

Dates: February 14, 21, 28, March 7, 14, 21 and 28 (Tuesdays), 12:00 PM-1:00 PM. 

Location: Webinar (URL for the meeting room and call-in information to be emailed to those who have registered prior to each class).

Are you interested in quitting tobacco? Are you looking to find activities that will satisfy your next steps incentive, and fulfill a resolution or goal you set for 2017?  Please join in this 8-week group webinar class to learn healthy and positive ways to become tobacco-free for life. This class will be taught by a tobacco cessation coach and will offer one on one, as well as group support. You will be sent a workbook, along with other materials, to your home address once you register for this webinar. You can begin making yourself familiar with the material, but you will not be asked to complete any activities in the workbook until we move forward in the webinar lessons.

This webinar has no cost and is open to all State Plan members and dependents who are eligible to use the Montana Health Center. 

To Register:

• Go to www.CareHere.com and log in with your Username and Password.  First time user?  Access code is MANA9.
• Click on Appointments.
• When: Enter the Begin and End Date of the class.
• What: Choose Classroom (the word Classroom might be in gray, however, please click on it).
• Click Get Appointments. Find the Class Name in blue and click on it. This will take you to the class schedule where you can register by clicking on Make Appointment.
• Call CareHere at (855) 200-6822 for assistance with registering. 

 

****************************************************************************************************************

Helena:

You are Invited: Weight Watchers Inspire Event

Come see how you can LIVE FULLY while getting healthier.  Receive a FREE gift for joining!  It's a $70.00 value and will help you get started and stay on track!

DATE: February 15, 16, 22, or 23.

TIME: 12:00 - 12:30 PM – Choose to stay for the meeting from 12:30 - 12:50 PM if you would like to!

LOCATION: Mitchell Building, Room 7 (basement) except Thursday February 16 which will be in the Mitchell Building Room 218 (upstairs).

CONTACT: Karly Olson - At Work Leader: karly.olson91013@yahoo.com.

Weight Watchers is a Next Step Incentive eligible activity.

Success Story! Danny D.

Looking for some inspiration on how small changes can make a big difference?  Check out Danny's story, below.

"I want to share my story which is centered around the Holiday Challenge. I had no intention of trying to improve my diet or exercise routine when I first read the email in regard to the Holiday Challenge.  I had knee replacement surgery prior to the announcement of the Challenge. As a result of the surgery and some challenging side effects I unintentionally lost some weight.

When I saw the email about the challenge I decided I would make an attempt to continue the weight loss, eat healthier and begin exercising. I cut back considerably on all junk food and the amount I ate on a daily basis. I was going to Physical Therapy three times a week and as there was a noticeable weight loss going on, I decided to buy a recumbent stationary bike so I could exercise at home. I completed physical therapy  and was invited to continue with independent exercise.

I now go to PT 2-3 times per week,  ride 8-16 miles per day on the bike and I continue to make healthy choices when eating and drinking. The result, at this point, is I have lost 37 pounds.

It has been years since I have been at this weight and my overall condition has improved dramatically. Thank you for the nudge that has me feeling better and according to my wife looking more healthy as well."

Congratulations and thank you to Danny D. for sharing your story.