Thursday, May 21, 2015

Container Gardening Basics - Lunch-n-Learn - Wednesday, May 20, 12-1pm - C1A

Tuesday, May 19, 2015

Bike Commuting 101 - Wellness Lunch-n-Learn - Tuesday May 19, 12-1pm, C1E

Room Change - C1E

American Heart Association Life's Simple 7 - Wellness Lunch-n-Learn, May 19, 12-1pm, A5A Board Room

American Heart Association discusses the 7 small steps to BIG changes. Lindsey Gregerson will present. For information on the program visit heart.org/MyLifeCheck

Tuesday, May 12, 2015

CO 14ers Initiative lunch-n-learn - Thursday, May 14, 12-1pm, C1A

RSVP to HELM - cdphe_helm@state.co.us

Join the Muck Star Dancers this weekend at Muck Fest and fight MS! May 16 - 9AM

MuckFest MS Denver 5K Mud Obstacle Run

Presented Locally by:

Saturday, May 16, 2015

The first wave/start time is at 9:00 a.m., and then every half-hour throughout the day.

Last Chance*

May 13

$95.00

Full Price

May 16

$105.00

Music Mountain Amphitheater, just west of The Colorado Renaissance Festival
650 W. Perry Park Ave.
Larkspur, CO 80118

*Registration fee does not include a credit card processing fee which includes handling and insurance; and is subject to change. This processing fee will be added to your total charge at the completion of registration.

Buying for a group of 4 or more?
Get group ticket packages here!

Not quite ready to muck it?
Click here to volunteer.

Are you mucking it with MS?
I MUCK IT WITH MS bandanas are now available to participants with MS. Learn more.

Looking for 2014 event photos? Click here.

Don’t miss out.

Get a reminder before prices go up.

What do I get?

Aside from the stuff you see below, you'll take away something priceless: a real sense of accomplishment, gut-busting laughs and muck-tacular memories with friends and teammates that will last a lifetime.

INVITE FRIENDS

VOLUNTEER

DONATE TO A PARTICIPANT

Why We Muck It

The “MS” part of MuckFest® MS stands for multiple sclerosis, a chronic and often disabling disease that attacks the central nervous system. MS is unpredictable and affects every individual differently. Women are two to three times more likely to get MS, and it affects over two million people worldwide. This is the reason we come together—to rally friends in support of people living with MS in our community. That's why 100% of funds raised by you benefit the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. Join MuckFest MS and have a blast while being a part of something that matters.

TALKING MUCK

Monday, May 11, 2015

Everybody Bikes - Lunch-n-Learn, May 12, Carson

Open Enrollment Ends on May 14

Contact your benefits administrator

colorado.gov/dhr/benefits

Healthline

A publication of the Division of Human Resources

May

2015

Open enrollment ends on Thursday, May 14, 2015

Open enrollment is mandatory this year. That means that everyone must enroll, re-enroll in health and dental plans or waive coverage. Employees who want a flexible spending account must also enroll or re-enroll.

After May 14, 2015, you can't make any changes to your benefits until next year. (Unless you have what's called a qualifying life event, like marriage, birth, or adoption).

If you do not enroll in State of Colorado benefits during open enrollment, your coverage will be terminated in FY 2015-16 (July 1, 2015 - June, 30, 2016).

Questions about open enrollment?

Enroll at BenefitSolver.com

Do you qualify for reductions on your medical premium?

The State of Colorado's Medical Supplement Program application period is April 14 to May 21, 2015.

For the 2015-16 plan year, the supplement for medical insurance is available to qualified low-income State employees with dependent children.

The application period begins on the same day as open enrollment, but concludes a week later than open enrollment.

To be eligible for the supplement in the FY 2015-16 plan year, employees must complete an application. If you are currently receiving the supplement, you must apply every plan year to receive the premium reductions.

For more information and to apply, click here.

Optum Pharmacy Updates

If you are enrolled in one of the medical options administered by UHC, effective July 1, 2015 you will experience some changes to your pharmacy benefits.

First, if you are prescribed a specialty drug, you must file that prescription through the Optum Specialty Pharmacy beginning with your first prescription. Currently, you are permitted to fill that prescription two times at a retail pharmacy prior to having it filled at the Optum Specialty Pharmacy. For more information visit: Optum Specialty Pharmacy.

An updated Maintenance Medication List has been posted to the benefits website. These are the medications you can obtain from the general mail order Optum Pharmacy. You will receive a 90-day supply of your maintenance medications at a reduced co-pay amount, less than you would pay if you purchased them in a retail pharmacy. Using mail-order for maintenance medications is the most economical way to purchase medications for both you and the plan.

If you are enrolled in one of the UHC medical options effective with the new plan year, you will receive a new ID card prior to July 1. These cards will indicate any new copay and deductible amounts and you will notice a new "BIN" number for your pharmacy benefits. The State's plan will be changing over to a more efficient administrative platform for its pharmacy benefits. Please make sure that you use your new card for any prescriptions that you purchase after July 1, 2015. Your pharmacist will not be able to process your prescription if you do not and they will be instructed not to fill it until your new card information is provided.

Kaiser participants will also be receiving new ID cards. The new cards will indicate that you have a deductible to satisfy on the HMO plan beginning with the new plan year and the deductible amount shown on the card for the HDHP plan will change.

Berthoud Residents are Changing Kaiser Areas

Berthoud residents that are enrolled, or are enrolling in a Kaiser plan during open enrollment, will notice that effectiveJuly 1, 2015 the 80513 zip code will fall under the Kaiser Northern Colorado area. This is a change from previous years when Berthoud fell under the Kaiser Denver/Boulder area.

This change will allow residents in the 80513 zip code to utilize both the Kaiser Northern Colorado and Denver/Boulder areas and provides better flexibility to the residents Berthoud, CO.

Health Focus:

May is Mental Health Awareness Month

Experiencing symptoms such as loss of sleep, feeling tired for no reason, feeling low, anxious or hearing voices, shouldn't be ignored and brushed aside in the hopes that they go away.

Like other diseases, we need to address mental health symptoms early, identify the underlying disease and plan an appropriate course of action on a path towards overall health.

Many people do not seek treatment in the early stages of mental illnesses because they don't recognize the symptoms.

Mental Health screening tools can help. A screening only takes a few minutes, and after you are finished you will be given information about the next steps you should take based on the results. A screening is not a diagnosis, but it can be a helpful tool for starting a conversation with your doctor or a loved one about your mental health.

For more information on Mental Health statistics and warning signs,click here.

Colorado State Employees Assistance Program (C-SEAP)

C-SEAP provides confidential counseling services to State employees. Call 303-866-4314 or Toll Free 800-821-8154 or visitcolorado.gov/c-seap.

PERA Plus 401(k):

457 Plan Roth Option

Over the last few months PERA has communicated that employers can now adopt the Roth option in the PERA Plus 4019k and 457 Plans.

The Roth option allows employees to contribute to the Plan(s) on a tax-paid basis through payroll deductions.

At this time, the State of Colorado is unable to adopt this option for employees because of system projects involving the State's payroll system.

In-Plan Roth Conversions

If you are eligible for a distribution from the PERA Plus 401(k)/457 plans, you can convert pre-tax assets to Roth assets.

For more information click here.

colorado.gov/dhr/benefits

Wednesday, May 6, 2015

Open enrollment ends May 14

You Must Enroll in Benefits by May 14

All employees must enroll in benefits by May 14, 2015. Before you enroll, join the 2015 Open Enrollment Program on CaféWell to better understand your benefits and make informed decisions, while earning 400 Coins (Good for $10!). Then access BenefitSolvers directly from CaféWell.
Get started with CaféWell. &#9658
*First-time users must complete their health assessment first to receive a premium reduction.

Exciting Chicken Breast Recipes

Chicken breasts can get a bad rap for being tasteless and boring, but they don't have to be.

Try these recipes ►

Let's Get Physical

Sitting for long periods of time can be bad for your health. Join this activity to get up and move!

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