NEWSLETTER AUGUST 17th 2007
CATASTROPHIC LEAVE BANKS
CMU staff employees are invited to make donations of vacation hours to the Office Professional, Professional & Administrative, Senior Officer, Service Maintenance, and/or Supervisory Technical Catastrophic Leave banks. Donations can be made in one hour increments and there is no limit to the amount of time you can donate as long as you do not exceed your available balance.
- For employees paid on a bi-weekly basis, vacation hours can be donated on timesheets with the pay periods March 9th through March 22nd and/or March 23rd through April 5th.
- Employees paid on a semi-monthly basis may donate vacation hours on their timesheets with the pay periods March 16th through March 31st and/or April 1st through April 15th.
Donations should be noted and signed on the timesheet that is forwarded to Payroll. Please be sure to indicate to which bank(s) you are making your donation(s).
Details outlining the programs, and applications, are available on the Human Resources website at: http://www.hrs.cmich.edu/avp/policies.htm
Questions about the Family and Medical Leave Act?
President's update # 72
Make a donation to one of the catasrophic leave banks
The overtime hotline number for general fund custodians is - 774-1026
Americans shopping for their own health insurance can substantially cut premiums by comparison shopping online and following 10 simple steps, according to Answer Financial Inc., an independent insurance agency. These are also helpful tips for those who are part of an employer sponsored health plan!
Comparison shop: You can save money by comparison shopping and exploring options such as higher deductibles. Always compare benefits, deductibles and premiums, and if you have a preferred physician, make sure that he or she is a participant in your plan.
Practice preventive care: Work out a schedule of preventive health screenings with your doctor that are appropriate for your age and gender. The lower your medical bills, the lower your premiums will be, but don’t skimp on the basics. University Health Services is offering a Wellness Screening Program next Wednesday and Thursday, October 5 & 6 from 6 to 10:30a in Foust 256. There are still spots available both days. You can sign up on-line at http://register.wellness-inc.com and enter Registration Key Ce-29857-5 or by calling 877.305.6602. This program offers a more comprehensive choice of screenings than what is available through the annual physical covered under the CMU PPO plans and provides the participant with a very comprehensive report that can be shared with his/her physician. The screening cost is eligible for reimbursement under the CMU Health Flexible Spending Account (FSA).
Take an active role in health care decisions: Take the time to build a good relationship with your doctor. Every test and drug has some risk involved. Ask what would happen if you choose not to take a drug or have a test. Your doctor may suggest less risky and less costly alternatives.
Avoid hospitalization whenever possible: Over half of all health care costs are for hospital stays. Consider outpatient services and same-day surgery centers.
Understand health risks: Good lifestyle choices have proven to make a huge positive difference on health. If you have not completed your Succeed Health Risk Questionnaire, you can still do so by going to http://www.hrs.cmich.edu/wellness/hra-login.htm and following the instructions.
Contribute to an employer-sponsored health care savings account (HSA): If available to you, these tax-protected accounts can cover everything from Band-Aids to co-payments on doctor visits.
Know what your medical benefits cover: Carefully study the medical benefits of your employer’s plan or various plans if you purchase individual health insurance. You can find the CMU medical benefits information at http://www.hrs.cmich.edu/benefits/medical-choices-plan-description.htm
Save the emergency room for emergencies: Emergency room charges can be much more costly than a doctor's visit. These visits will also drive up your premium. The co-pay for using the Emergency Room when the situation is not considered an emergency was increased from $25 to $50 on July 1, 2005 for the CMU PPO plans and is not covered under the BM 100/200 plan!
Check your hospital and doctor bills carefully: Billing errors are common. Notify your hospital and health plan promptly when errors are found.
Try home remedies first: Eight out of 10 health problems can be treated at home. If you have not received your copy of the HealthWise Handbook with valuable self-care information in it, please contact Benefits and Wellness by email at benefits@cmich.edu and include your campus address and one will be mailed to you.
This message is distributed by the CMU Health Care Committee to promote the health and well-being of all CMU employees and their families and to address the rising health care costs attributed to controllable risk factors and lifestyle behaviors.
Here are a few relaxation exercises. Before you begin, be sure you have a quiet location that is free from distractions, a comfortable body position, and a good state of mind. Block out worries and distracting thoughts.
Rhythmic breathing. Slow down your breathing, by taking long, slow breaths. Inhale then exhale slowly. Count to five as you inhale, and then count to five as you exhale, very slowly. Pay attention to how your body naturally relaxes. You recognizing this change will help you to relax even more.
Deep breathing. Imagine a spot below your navel. Breathe into that spot. Let the air fill you from the abdomen up, and then let it out. You should feel more relaxed with every long, slow exhalation.
Visualized breathing. Find a comfortable place where you can close your eyes, and combine slowed breathing with your imagination. Picture relaxation entering your body. Breathe deeply. Visualize your breath coming into your nostrils, going into your lungs, and expanding your chest and abdomen. Then visualize your breath going out the same way. Each time you breathe and imagine this pattern, you will become more relaxed. Each time you exhale, you release a little more tension.
Progressive muscle relaxation. Focus your thoughts on yourself and your breathing. Take a few deep breaths, exhaling slowly. Mentally scan your body. Notice areas that feel tense or cramped. Loosen up those areas. Rotate your head in a smooth, circular motion once or twice. (Stop this, if you feel pain.) Roll your shoulders backwards and forwards many times. Let all your muscles relax completely. Recall a happy thought for a few seconds. Take another deep breath and exhale slowly.
Relax to music. Combine relaxation exercises with your favorite music. Select the type of music that lifts your mood or that you find soothing or calming. Some people find it easy to relax to if the music provides relaxation instructions.
Mental imagery relaxation or guided imagery. This helps create a harmony between the mind and body. Guided imagery coaches you in creating calm, peaceful images in your mind. Identify your self-talk - what you are saying to yourself about what is going on with your illness. Develop healthy, positive self-talk. By making affirmations, you can counteract negative thoughts and emotions.
If these listed relaxation techniques do not help or if you think your stress is due to anxiety or depression, be sure to see a doctor. Treatments are available to relieve anxiety and improve depression.
Source: WebMD and The Cleveland Clinic
http://www.webmd.com/solutions/aching-knees/stress-reduction?ecd=wnl_slw_122906