Health Fair and Kickoff Wednesday!!

Have you scheduled your health screening yet?

Health Screening schedule is posted and ready for appointments! http://healthcenter.mt.gov/Health-Screenings.

Completing your State-sponsored health screening is part of earing a Live Life Well Incentive! Click here for more information: www.benefits.mt.gov/incentive.

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