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. 

 

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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. 

Last Chance for 2016 Incentive

Dear State of Montana Benefit Plan Members,This is a final reminder to self-report your Next Steps Discount activity and a Nicotine Free alternative activity, if applicable.  PLEASE READ CAREFULLY. This post contains important information about the Live Life Well Incentive program and addresses many of your frequently asked questions. 

Who Must Self-Report Next Steps Activities?

Anyone who is eligible and wants to earn the $15 Next Steps Discount.

When should I report my activity?

As soon as possible and no later than midnight of October 31, 2016.

Do NOT wait for your health screening to show up at www.myactivehealth.com/som.

What should I do to make sure I will get the correct discount in 2017?

1. Have a State-sponsored health screening between November 1, 2015-October 31, 2016. You will get credit for it regardless of what the MyActiveHealth site shows.
2. Your nicotine status will automatically be reported as part of your health screening. If you are not nicotine free, and would like to earn the $10 Nicotine Free Discount, you will need to complete an alternative and self-report it at www.myactivehealth.com/som under the “Nicotine Free” section of the My Rewards tab.
3. Self-report your Next Steps Discount activity at www.myactivehealth.com/som under the “Next Steps Discount” section of the My Rewards tab by October 31, 2016, regardless of if your health screening is showing up or not.

How do I self-report my Next Steps Discount activity?

1. Log into www.myactivehealth.com/som using your information exactly as it appears on your Allegiance benefit card.
2. 
   

   Click the “My Rewards” tab on the left.
3. Scroll down to the “Next Steps Discount” section.
4. Click “Work on it” and check the activity you completed. (Select “Live Life Well Challenges” for Healthy Bingo, Strive for Five, or the Holiday Challenge.)
5. Click “save.”
6. It should now say “Completed” under the Next Steps Discount section. Be aware, your dollar amount might not change right away.

How do I check that my discount is correct?We are aware some members’ Incentives are not showing correctly at www.myactivehealth.com/som. We are working on a solution. If you had a State-sponsored health screening as outlined above, you will get credit for it, regardless of what MyActiveHealth shows.

HCBD will send an email to all employees in December telling you how to check your confirmation statement for January 2017 in the MINE site. This will show you how your discount will apply to your 2017 benefit contribution.Thank you for your patience as we work through these issues. 

Also, remember, you have until October 31, 2016 to log into the MINE site to make your 2017 benefit elections.For assistance with the site, logging in, or reporting an activity call:

MyActiveHealth

855-206-1302

Brought to you by:

State of Montana Wellness Programs. 

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 HERE.