We Need Your Help!

You might have noticed…our State of Montana Healthy Employee Lifestyle Program has an expanded list of fun benefits this year, and there is more to come!

This year, in addition to the great resources available through Cigna, CareHere and Delta Dental, we are also adding lots of fun ways to stay healthy every day. Here are our plans to date:
• We are currently running the first of three Healthy Bingo games: http://benefits.mt.gov/healthybingo.mcpx.
• The Strive For Five Challenge will begin soon: http://benefits.mt.gov/striveforfive.mcpx.
• Our fitness challenge, previously known as Spring Fitness, is getting a face-lift and is moving into the summer. Lots more to come on that very soon!
• We will have “mini” activity challenges available, likely starting in May.
• Plus there will be more fun activities later in the fall!
• We will be recruiting Wellness Champions and would like to find representatives from each agency and location around the State. If you are interested in more information about the Wellness Champion Network, click here: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/wellchampion

Now is where you can help!

Since this is YOUR wellness program, we want your feedback on a slogan that will reflect what we are working on together and what represents our program for the future. We have narrowed our choices to the top three. Tell us which one you like best, and you can enter to win one of six Camelbak water bottles!

Ready to vote? Click here! We promise, this will take one minute or less. Thanks in advance for your input!

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/SOMHELPslogan

For more information please contact:
State of Montana Healthy Employee Lifestyle Program
(406) 444-7462
(800) 287-8266
(406) 444-1421 (TTY)

NEW! Wellness Challenges are coming!

NEW! Healthy Bingo and Strive For Five Challenges are coming!
Are you looking for easy, fun ways to stay healthy? Would you like to have a chance to win great prizes? If so, we have some new and exciting challenges for you this year.

Healthy Bingo is simple, fun, and easy, and will begin in late March. Mark off squares as you do the activity listed to get a “Bingo,” and return your card to be entered into a drawing for prizes! Strive for Five is also simple, fun and easy, and will begin in early April. Keep track of how many servings of fruits and vegetables you get and turn in your completed entry form for a chance at still more great prizes.

Look for details on both these challenges very soon, or let us know if you are interested and we’ll add you to our mailing list right now. We will be sending more information very soon, but if you want to take the challenge just e-mail: benefitsquestions@mt.gov with your name, e-mail and mailing address.

LAST CHANCE FOR 2012 HEALTH SCREENINGS!

LAST CHANCE for screenings in 2012! October and November screenings include Helena, Livingston, Bozeman, Missoula, Boulder, Deer Lodge, Polson and Miles City. These are the last screenings for 2012. Time is Running Out!

NEW! The Health Center is now open in Helena! You can choose to have your health screening done there – but you must make an appointment.

To register for an appointment at the health center: http://benefits.mt.gov/content/docs/Publications/MHC_brochure.pdf.

To Register for the locations listed below:

VISIT WWW.BENEFITS.MT.GOV/WELLNESS.MCPX AND CLICK ON “REGISTER FOR HEALTH SCREENINGS.”
First Time Users: Click “Create An Account.” Create a User Name & Password for yourself, along with the other requested information. Have your benefits card handy.
Returning Users: On the www.itstartswithme.com web page, click “Login.” Enter your username and password. (Use the “Forgot your user name?” or “Forgot your password?” links if necessary.)
1. After following the directions for “first-time users” or “returning users” from last year, enter this as your Company Code: 3711786
2. Select a screening to attend.
3. If you are registering yourself and a spouse, create a separate account for each of you. Simply start at “Create An Account” again when registering your spouse. Due to federal privacy regulations, an e-mail address may only be used on one account. If you share an e-mail address, one account can be created online and the other may be set up via It Starts With Me at (866) 932-6467.

REMEMBER! $5 Discount
Participants covered under the State of Montana health care plan can get a $5 discount off their monthly health care contributions IF they attend a screening in 2012. For questions, see our Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) at www.benefits.mt.gov/wellness.mcpx.

Please Note: These are the final dates for 2012.
• Helena, MT: October 10-12 from 6:30 – 10:30 am at the MDT Auditorium
• Helena, MT: October 16-19 from 6:30-10:30 am at the Cogswell Building, Rms 205/207
• Missoula, MT: October 17-19 from 6:30-10:30 am at the C’mon Inn
• Helena, MT: October 23-26 from 6:30-10:30 am at the Holiday Inn, Downtown
• Helena, MT: October 30-31 from 6:30-10:30 am at the Front Street Learning Center
• Boulder, MT: November 1 from 6:30-10:30 am at the MDC Multi-purpose Room
• Polson, MT: November 2 from 6:30-10:30 am at the Polson Masonic Lodge
• Miles City, MT: November 7 from 6:30-10:30 am at the Holiday Inn Express
• Deer Lodge, MT: November 9 from 5:30-10:30 am at the MSP Wallace Bldg Large Classroom
Screenings take about 20 minutes with an appointment. Bring a copy of your benefits card and a picture ID with you to the screening. Employees, Retirees, spouses, and dependents the age of 18 or over on the State of Montana health benefit plan are eligible for one State of Montana sponsored health screening per year.

For assistance with registration contact
It Starts With Me
(866) 932-6467 (10 AM – 4 PM MST)
info@itstartswithme.com

For other questions contact: Health Care and Benefits Division
(406) 444-7462 - or - (800) 287-8266
TTY (406) 444-1421
healthregistrations@mt.gov

Annual Change Starts September 24!

Annual Change presentations start Monday September 24, 2012 in Helena and Havre.

See the schedule at http://benefits.mt.gov/annualchange.mcpx or http://benefits.mt.gov/content/docs/annualchange/Annual_Change_2012_Presentations.pdf.

We have lots of changes with a new medical plan administrator, changes due to health care reform legislation, and the new health center.  Please plan to attend!

Any questions? Contact HCBD at (800) 287-8266, TTY (406) 444-1421, or benefitsquestions@mt.gov.

Hunter's Challenge is here!

The 2012 Hunter Fitness Challenge Archery Season Begins July 30!  Sign up by July 27.

The Hunter’s Challenge is for anyone who participates in hunting, backpacking or other fall sports and wants a jump start. It’s simple, free, and there are prizes to be won…

Please note: You may sign up for one or both challenges! The Rifle season challenge directly follows the Archery season challenge. Archery season challenge begins on July 30 and the Rifle season challenge begins on September 17.

If you are interested in participating in this FREE program, just e-mail benefitsquestions@mt.gov your name, e-mail, mailing address and telephone number by Friday, July 27. The 2012 Hunter's Challenge Archery Season will begin on July 30.

If you are interested in participating, just e-mail your name, e-mail, mailing address and telephone number to benefitsquestions@mt.gov. We will send you back an e-mail verifying that you are signed up, and additional information.
You can read more about the program and download entry forms (these are the forms you fill out as you go through the program, and then turn in to us at the end) at http://www.benefits.mt.gov/hunterfitness.mcpx.

Any questions, just let us know.

For more information:
Health Care and Benefits
State of Montana Healthy Employee Lifestyle Program (SOMHELP)
Web site: http://www.benefits.mt.gov/hunterfitness.mcpx
Toll Free Telephone: (800)287-8266
E-mail: benefitsquestions@mt.gov

Spring Tour Schedule - Don't Miss It!

HCBD SPRING TOUR SCHEDULE

What can we expect for 2013 benefits and rates?

At this time there is only one thing we can reasonably expect to happen: health care costs will continue to rise. We (HCBD) constantly evaluate benefit options and new programs to enhance benefits and help keep those benefits affordable. Because of the complexity of health care and benefits, it takes time to evaluate potential changes. Final decisions for 2013 benefits and rates will be made in late August 2012. In the meantime, we encourage you to become an informed consumer (ask questions and seek alternative treatments) and live a healthy lifestyle (exercise, eat properly, and quit smoking).

Click here for a schedule of presentations on our Spring Tour.  You can attend these presentations on your work time, so don't miss this important information!

http://benefits.mt.gov/content/docs/annualchange/Spring_tour_sites_2012.pdf

Are You Fit for Spring?

Spring Fitness 2012 is coming! Registration starts April 2.

Spring Fitness is the State of Montana’s annual physical activity program and is one of the best things you can do for yourself this year – whether you’re already very active or just starting out. Improve your health and encourage others!!
We have great prizes to motivate us this year! Yak Traks, fleece vests, flashlights, socks, water bottles…

Go to http://mine.mt.gov/programs/SpringFitness/default.mcpx for details and registration

Team Captains: Thank you for making Spring Fitness a reality that helps improve the health of the State of Montana.

All team captains get a $5 discount off the 2012 registration fee!
• PLUS, if you captain a team of 2-7 people, you get a pair of Superfeet socks.
• If your team is 8-10 members, we’ll give you socks AND a water bottle!
Teams can be a single member or up to 10 members.

What does it cost?

$5 – Registration
$15 – Registration + pedometer*
$10 – Registration + water bottle**
$20 – Registration + pedometer* AND water bottle**

*To save money, use your pedometer from last year, but if you need a new pedometer we have brought back the ever popular and very reliable DIGIWALKER!
**We also have Camelbak “better bottles” available for purchase this year. Buy them for less than they cost in the store! Click here to learn more about the pedometer and water bottles:
http://mine.mt.gov/programs/springfitness/pedometers.mcpx.

Who can participate?

Anyone who is a member of the State of Montana health care plan may participate.
The team captain must have access to MINE to register their team and put in the weekly step totals. Click on the Spring Fitness link – if you get there, you have access! http://mine.mt.gov/programs/SpringFitness/default.mcpx

* * * * * * * * * * * * *
April 2 - Team registration opens
April 25 - Deadline for team registration
April 30 – Spring Fitness Begins
June 24 - Spring Fitness Ends

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

Questions?

Contact Health Care and Benefits Division:
benefitsquestions@mt.gov
(406) 444-7462
(800) 287-8266
TTY (406) 444-1421