Does chronic stress cause you to...

Hit the snooze button more often?

Call in sick when you just feel down?

Don't take these feelings lightly if they persist.  A research study last month from Harvard Medical School discovered that long-term exposure to the stress hormone cortisol contributes to the development of anxiety associated with depression, even if there has never been a history of depression in the past.  If you suspect you are going through a low point or are experiencing higher than usual anxiety, talk to your EAP or health care provider.  Early diagnosis and treatment of minor depression can prevent it from erupting into something unmanageable.

Summer Enrollment has been scheduled for July 24, 2006 through August 18, 2006. 

If you have a new address please be sure to update before your address in ERS On-Line by June 23, to ensure your Personal Enrollment Statement is sent to the correct mailing address. 

Enrolling on-line is the fastest and easiest method of assuring that you have the exact benefits that you desire.  To enroll on-line you must be able to logon to ERS OnLine.  This requires your email address and a password.  We sent a list of all employee’s email addresses to ERS.  Go to http://www.ers.state.tx.us and follow the instructions on the ERS OnLine sign in page.  A new password will be emailed to you, (if your email is already in the system) or otherwise it will be mailed to you. 

If your email address is not in the system call 512-867-7711 or 877-275-4377 to provide some identifying information and give them your email address to be entered in the system.  

Just a reminder, if you are presently enrolled in TexFlex (Health Care Reimbursement Account or Dependent Care Reimbursement Account) you will have to reenroll. The same thing is true for participants in the SKIP (State Kids Insurance Program).  Current enrollments will end on August 31, 2006 and participants will have to reenroll.

If you are a current participant of the SKIP program it is not too early to start the approval process.  The SKIP Application form can be found at http://www.ers.state.tx.us/Insurance/Forms/SkipForm.pdf.  If you don't have access you can call ERS at 877-275-4377 or TexCare (agency that qualifies applicants) at 800-647-6555.  You can also pick up the forms in the OHR.

Keys to Working Together

There's no single cure-all to create harmony in an ethnically diverse work environment.  But the EAP can serve as a safe and effective outlet for individuals to express their work-related concerns or frustrations.  Complaints of discrimination, however, should be addressed through human resources or management.  If employees fee resentment toward others, they can vent to the EA professional and develop new ways to address interpersonal hostilities.  For instance, they can learn strategies to improve how they collaborate in teams and look beyond their differences to achieve a greater good.  At the same time, management can play a role in bringing a diverse workforce together.  By setting an example of tolerance, fairness, and mutual understanding, the organization's managers can send a message for employees to follow their lead.  It's precisely when trouble is brewing that these leaders should speak out about the need for equality, empathy, and shared goals.

Your EAP is designed to help you deal with life stresses and a variety of personal challenges.  For confidential services offered at no cost to all employees and their families, please call:

Alliance Work Parners

Toll Free (800) 343-3822

TDD (800) 448-1823

Teen Line (800) 334-8336

E-mail:  eap@alliancewp.com

Web:  www.alliancewp.com

Source:  Working Solutions, April 2006, Alliance Work Partners

The following rates have been established for plan year 2007 starting September 1, 2006 and will be evident on your paycheck of October 1, 2006.  They represent a 5% increase over the previous plan year.

FULL TIME EMPLOYEE & RETIREES          PREMIUM    STATE PAYS    MEMBER PAYS

PART TIME EMPLOYEE AND RETIREES     PREMIUM  STATE PAYS     MEMBER PAYS

During Summer Enrollment for Plan Year 2007, PayFlex, the vendor that works with ERS to administer the TexFlex Program, will unveil a new PayFlex debit card to replace the existing TexFlex Convenience® Card. All Plan Year 2006 TexFlex Convenience®

Cards will expire on August 31, 2006, the end of the plan year.

To receive the new PayFlex debit card by September 1, 2006, employees should enroll in TexFlex through ERS OnLine (making sure they elect the card when enrolling) by 5 p.m. on Friday, August 11, 2006. Employees who enroll and elect the card after that date

may not receive their new PayFlex debit card until September 15, 2006. If an employee’s eligible dependents currently have TexFlex Convenience® Cards, they will also be mailed new cards. The cards will be delivered to the employee’s mailing address in ERS OnLine.

Discount Hearing Aid Program

HealthSelect participants now can enjoy big savings on digital hearing aids. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX) has arranged a discount program* through TruHearing, an independent contractor with BCBSTX. This program is available to HealthSelect enrollees, as well as their parents and grandparents who are not enrolled in a BCBSTX plan. 

With the digital hearing aids offered through TruHearing, you simply choose the price level you desire, and then select the style that you prefer within that level.

  The TruHearing program includes a free hearing screening; 45-day money back guarantee; two-year warranty; and 12 months, no interest financing available upon approved credit.  Products and prices may be subject to change without notice. To discuss options, schedule a hearing test, or to find the nearest provider, participants can call TruHearing at (877) 882-2020 toll-free.  Operators are available Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.  This is a discount program similar to the Vision Program also offered to HealthSelect Enrollees.

Health Insurance Opt-Out Credit

 Legislation passed during the 79th Session allowed for the Health Insurance Opt-Out Credit, which enables employees and retirees in the Texas Employees Group Benefits Program (GBP) to get money toward optional coverage if they give up their state-provided health insurance. The credit will be available as a Summer Enrollment option with an effective date of September 1, 2006. 

The Opt-Out Credit is a cost savings program for the State which provides an incentive to participants to waive their GBP health insurance in order to receive a monthly credit they can apply toward dental and/or voluntary Accidental Death and Dismemberment

(AD&D) premiums under the GBP. These are the most popular non-taxable benefits in the GBP that do not require evidence of insurability (EOI) to enroll. (Voluntary AD&D is not available to retirees.)

To use the Opt-Out Credit, employees and retirees must be:  1) eligible for the state contribution toward their GBP health insurance (100 percent for full-time employees or retirees, 50 percent for part-time employees or retirees) AND 2) able to certify that they have comparable health insurance coverage (e.g., through TRICARE or another employer health plan).

Individuals cannot participate in the Health Insurance Opt-Out Credit if they are not eligible for the state contribution toward their health insurance premium, such as direct pay participants (e.g.,  COBRA), or adjunct faculty members.

The amount of the monthly credit depends on the employee’s or retiree’s status:

• Full-time employees can use a credit of up to $60

• Part-time employees can use a credit of up to $30

• Retirees eligible for GBP health coverage and the state contribution of 100 percent toward their member health insurance premium can use a credit of up to $60

• Retirees eligible for GBP health coverage and the state contribution of 50 percent toward their member health insurance premium can use a credit of up to $30

Employees and retirees should carefully consider any decision to decline health insurance coverage.  They may never be able to enroll in the state plan again, depending on their condition.

Terminating Employees

Attention All Departments

Do you have an employee, whether staff, faculty or Graduate Assistant (GA, GTA, GRA) who is terminating (or has terminated) their employment with your department? 

If so, please be sure to complete a terminating PTF as soon as possible.  The Office of Human Resources is required to notify the Employees Retirement System (ERS) when an employee terminates their employment so that their insurance coverage is terminated the last day of the month in which they work their last day.  If we do not notify ERS of the employee’s termination, TWU continues to be responsible for payment of that employee’s insurance premiums until ERS is notified. 

Please note:  just because the Graduate Assistant’s initial PTF has an end date on the assignment does not mean that they are automatically terminated in the system on that date.  They remain in the system as an employee until a terminating PTF is done.

Jana Bates, Manager, Benefits and Welfare