Employee Insurance and Flex Spending Information

Colonial Insurance is meeting individually with employees this week to enroll employees in the flexible spending account, voluntary benefit plan, and distribute an employee benefits booklet. September and October are open enrollment months to sign up for the flexible spending plans. If you want to participate, you must join during this time.  Colonial is distributing the new Montgomery County Commission 2012 Employee Benefit Booklet. This convenient resource clearly explains all the benefits offered to County employees, and answers most questions you may have about your insurance coverage, flexible spending plans, wellness programs available, and the CareHere clinics.

The Commission has approved a contract with Continuous Health, in partnership with Colonial Life Insurance, to perform a health care dependent coverage eligibility audit. Through the month of October, all employees with family coverage will receive an information packet from Colonial, detailing this review process and the documentation requirements. The purpose of this audit is to verify that all enrolled dependents are actually eligible to be on the County group health plan. This is a part of our ongoing efforts and commitment to provide the highest level of benefits possible and to ensure plan compliance. When we have to pay for ineligible dependents, it costs all of us more in higher premiums.  In order for employees to continue their family coverage, they must provide the information requested in the packet by the deadline or their dependent coverage may be removed.  The rising costs of health benefits impact the County and its employees on a daily basis, so it is important we all cooperate by providing the requested information to complete this audit in a timely manner. The money we save will benefit all of us.

The County offers many wellness programs to employees and their spouses. If you have not explored any of these programs, you are missing out on some great opportunities to take proactive steps to stay well and practice healthy life style habits.  Remember good health allows us to enjoy our families, lead fuller lives and help contain health care costs.     

Losing Weight and Feeling Great!!!

Losing Weight and Feeling Great!!!  This is what I am hearing from the participants in our Weight Watchers at Work classes. The Weight Watcher classes meet for 45 minutes per week during the lunch hour for 12 weeks. The meetings involve some talking…and some listening…for a program that works! One of the three classes offered this session is meeting at the Montgomery County Youth Facility so employees there do not have to drive across town for meetings.  Most employees who attend a twelve week session continue to sign up for additional sessions because they love feeling better, looking better, and knowing they are taking positive steps toward a healthier and happier lifestyle.  Best of all, you cannot beat the costs – it is FREE, if you attend 10 of the 12 weekly classes.

Healthier Ever After

These days it seems everyone is talking about how to improve our health, live longer, and improve our quality of life.  This is due in part to spiraling healthcare costs and all the media attention focused on the problems associated with obesity, such as heart disease (number one killer of women over the age of 20), diabetes, high blood pressure, back and joint problems, to name some.  This is causing all of us to seriously consider ways to improve our health and live a more health conscious lifestyle.

The Montgomery County Commission is showing its support in encouraging County employees to become aware of the life quality benefits of weight-control, exercise, healthy diets, and kicking that nasty tobacco addiction.  The Commission is offering several health and wellness programs to all County employees (and their spouses) at little or no costs to the employees who wish to participate.

Currently, we have three Weight Watcher at Work classes in progress. The enthusiasm and support in these classes are fantastic.  Not to mention everyone is getting thinner!  If you missed getting in on the current classes watch for new classes beginning in the spring.

We have eighteen (18) teams of four participating in Scale-Back Alabama. Each team member has committed to losing ten pounds in ten weeks. Not only is this free, but teams have a chance to WIN money.

Throughout the next few months CareHere nutrition and exercise specialists are conducting on-site classes and webinars. These classes, held during the lunch hour, are all about making healthy choices and include such topics as basic nutrition, meal planning, smart grocery shopping, eating for a healthy heart, and healthy dining out. There is also a class on exercise facts. You can go on the CareHere web site and register for these classes or call 1-877-866-6430.

Beginning in March are “Beat the Pack & Kick the Can” classes for those who want help to stop using tobacco.  There will be a class too for help in managing diabetes.  There will be a nominal cost for participants in these classes, but it is well worth it.

Free exercise classes, in Annex I, 2^nd floor, are conducted every Tuesday and Thursday night from 5:15 to 6:15 p.m.  There are a variety of classes and something for all levels of ability. You can begin these classes anytime.  Just show up at class time. I hear they are loads of fun.

Join your co-workers in a class that best suits your schedule and needs.  You will have fun and live happier, healthier ever after.