Governor's Stay Active Challenge - May 9-July 3

Join the Governor and hundreds of your fellow State of Montana Employees in this free 8-week physical activity challenge for people of ALL fitness levels.

Get started today!

1. Make an account at www.myactivehealth.com/som. (You’ll also use this account to track your Live Life Well Incentive program activities and progress!)
   1. Use the exact information on your Allegiance card to register.
   2. Need help registering or using the site? Call MyActiveHealth Customer Service at (855) 206-1302.
2. Start tracking your steps:
   1. Sync your Fitbit or other step tracking device/app (Scroll down on the home page and click “Go to devices and apps”) OR
   2. Manually enter steps (Scroll down on the home page and click “Go to tracker”)

1. You don’t need to do anything else to register for the Governor’s Stay Active Challenge.  Just start tracking steps and you’ll start getting a weekly Challenge email. 

It’s FREE—There is no cost to participate! Everyone who joins gets a participant gift.

It’s EASY— The step entry system is online and accessible from anywhere, anytime.

It’s FUN—We’ve got more prizes, activities, and assistance than ever!

Teams

The new system does not track teams, but you’re welcome to organize your own.  If you’d like tips on team activities, motivation and more, sign up for the team captain email here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SAteams16

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Questions about the www.myactivehealth.com/som website:  (855) 206-1302

General Wellness Questions:                       

livelifewell@mt.gov               

(406) 444-7462
(800) 287-8266
(406) 444-1421 (TTY)

Stay Active Health Fair and Kickoff Party!

Join Us on Monday!

Don’t miss the Health Fair and Kickoff Party for the Governor’s Stay Active Challenge!

• THIS Monday, April 25
• 10:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.
• Capitol Rotunda, Helena, MT
• Meet and take a walk with the Governor at 11:30 a.m.!
• Enjoy free fitness club passes, massages, exercise bands, snacks, reusable bags and more.
• Enter to win lots of door prizes.
• Meet our 20 fabulous vendors, fellow Stay Active participants, and health coaches

See you there!

http://benefits.mt.gov/Live-Life-Well/Challenges/Stay-Active-Challenge 

Kickoff and Health Fair! April 25

Save the Date! Governor's Stay Active Challenge Health Fair, April 25 from 10:00am-1:30pm in Helena at the Capitol Rotunda. A message and walk with the Governor at 11:30am, over 20 vendors, prizes and lots of fun! Come join us! http://benefits.mt.gov/Live-Life-We…/…/Stay-Active-Challenge

Interested in this year's incentive?

Check out this 6 minute video to learn all about it! http://benefits.mt.gov/Portals/59/Videos1/2016%20Incentive/story.html

Health Screening Schedule is OPEN!

Schedule your State-sponsored health screening today at a Montana Health Center location!

You must make an appointment through CareHere

www.carehere.com or 1-855-200-6822

Visit www.benefits.mt.gov/health-screenings for more information and a full schedule of screenings across the state.

Good News for State Employee Health Plan Members!

Governor Bullock Announces Millions of Taxpayer Dollars Saved Through Changes to Montana State Employee Health Plan

HELENA, MT – Today Governor Steve Bullock was joined by Sheila Hogan, Director of the Department of Administration and Dan Villa, Budget Director to highlight millions of taxpayer dollars saved and advancements in health outcomes resulting from innovative changes to the Montana State Employee Health Plan. 

“Saving Montana’s taxpayers millions of dollars while improving the healthcare of our state employees is a win-win,” said Governor Bullock.  “I applaud the progress made this past year improving the ways we approach the State Employee Health Plan and focusing on long-term, balanced solutions that will pave the way to even more cost savings in the future.”

The Governor highlighted steps taken by the Department of Administration to turn a $12 million projected shortfall in 2015 into $2 million cost savings, a $14 million turnaround.  These steps include:

·         Increasing contract efficiencies and reducing overlap of services;

·         Moving the state’s data services to its internal IT team, savings the costs associated with an external data warehouse;

·         Working with the State Health Centers to increase member use for primary care services; including an educational campaign to encourage and inform members about the services and access provided by the health centers; and

·         Contracting with Allegiance, a Montana-based company, to serve as the state’s new health care partner, which resulted in a 24% reduction in administrative fees.

“We will continue to strive to find ways of preserving the plan’s financial wellness while securing quality and affordable care,” said Director Hogan.  “I’m proud of the work the State of Montana has done to work together with its plan members, providers, vendors, and the State Employee Group Benefits Advisory Council to implement meaningful healthcare solutions.”

For more information about Montana’s State Employee Health Plan, visit www.benefits.mt.gov.

Meet Kim H.

Meet Kim H., member of the State of Montana health plan and CareHere Health Hero!

Before

Goal: To be healthy, to have control of my Type 2 Diabetes, to lose significant weight and become healthier.

Results: I have significantly dropped my A1C from 12.4 to 5.9 in nine months! I exercise for at least 30 minutes each day with walking, swimming or strength training. I have lost over 26 pounds since my diagnosis and almost 60 pounds from my heaviest weight. I had to get a whole new wardrobe because I have lost so many dress sizes!

How did you get started and what motivated you?

I was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes in October, 2014. My husband is a state employee, and they had just opened the CareHere Clinic in Missoula for state employees and their spouses. I had gone in for a routine physical and blood work, so receiving such a significant diagnosis was devastating. I had other relatives with this diagnosis, so it also was not a surprise. I made the decision that day to do whatever it would take to be the “best” patient I could be and follow the recommendations of my treatment team. The first thing I did was go to a book store and purchase a book about Type 2 Diabetes. I began exercising, eating less of the unhealthy foods and more vegetables and fruits, counting calories and carbohydrates and testing my blood sugar three times a day, in order to learn how my body responded to food.

After

What do you want others to know that may have the same issue?

At my heaviest weight, I did not believe I could ever lose weight in any kind of meaningful way. In a sense, the diagnosis was a “wake up call” and likely saved my life. I still struggle with the concept of being a “Healthy Hero,” but know that I have been an inspiration to some of the people who have known me in the past. I believe my treatment team, especially my dietitian, has provided me a framework for moving forward and adopting a healthier lifestyle. I also let my family, friends and acquaintances know why I was losing weight and looking healthier. This has helped me to be more accountable for continuing with my journey to better health.

What’s next for you?

I plan to continue following the exercise, diet and lifestyle changes that have worked for me and hope to lose more weight and be healthier in the coming years. I am committed to making these changes a permanent part of me.