December 2011
Be a Wise Healthcare Consumer
Holiday Travel: Using UT SELECT While You are Away from Home
As thoughts turn to planning for the upcoming holiday season, the furthest thing from your thoughts may be what to do if you need medical services while you are away from home celebrating with friends and family. While we certainly hope for a safe and healthy holiday season for everyone, medical needs sometimes come up when we least expect them. Learn more.
Insurance Insight
Important Information for Employees and Retirees Participating in TRS
The Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS) encourages all participants to stay informed of the latest news related to TRS benefits, engage in their own planning for retirement, and to follow the most recent developments impacting TRS programs. Click here to read an important message from Brian Guthrie, the Executive Director of Teacher Retirement System of Texas, and learn how you can register to receive MyTRS, the online access section of the TRS website. Read more.
Your UT SELECT Prescription Benefits: Medco, Express Scripts and Walgreens
Based on publicly available information, the UT System Office of Employee Benefits is aware that Medco (the UT SELECT Prescription Benefit Manager) and Express Scripts Incorporated are currently involved in discussions to merge the two companies. Since Walgreens will not be part of the Express Scripts network effective January 1, 2012, Walgreens has been notifying customers that their prescription benefits may be affected by the merger. It is important for UT SELECT members to know that UT System contracts with Medco to manage your prescription benefits program and any communication from Walgreens regarding your UT SELECT plan is not applicable at this time. Learn more.
Important Reminder
Changing Your Group Insurance Benefits Mid-Year
Life is full of surprises, and sometimes these surprises are changes in family circumstances resulting in a need to adjust benefits elections. Because contributions for most benefits are deducted on a pre-tax basis, the IRS has regulations that specify when, outside of annual enrollment or the new hire period, changes to elections can be made. If you have what is called a “qualified change of status”, also known as a “life event” or “qualifying event”, you can make certain corresponding adjustments to your benefits. Learn common examples of “qualified change of status”.
Retirement Corner
New Streamlined Fund line-Up Available
As of November 15th, 2011, the University of Texas System Retirement Programs introduced a new, streamlined fund line-up in the UT Optional Retirement Program (ORP), the UTSaver 403(b) Tax Sheltered Annuity (TSA) and the UTSaver 457(b) Deferred Compensation Program (DCP). Learn more.
Wellness Wise
10 Healthy Holiday Party Tips
Your guide to a guilt-free winter bash. I know that not everyone feels this way, but I personally love to attend and throw holiday parties. The holiday music twinkling in the background, those festive fashions, and time to visit with people you don't see often - what's not to love? Learn about these tips and tools available to you and your family.
Maintain No Gain (Video)
It all began with Halloween and the thrill of those enticing little candy treats. Then Thanksgiving greets you with its creamy mashed potatoes and sweet pumpkin pie. And soon after, the holiday season will be marked by rich appetizers, egg nog, and desserts galore!
The temptations of holiday indulgence are hard to avoid, but you have the power (willpower, that is) to fight the unhealthy urges.
- The WebMD Weight Management Lifestyle Improvement Program, located within your Living Well Health Manager, is a great way to help you maintain or reach your ideal body weight. This personalized and self-paced program provides online support, techniques, and tools. Visit www.webmdhealth.com/ut and select 'Weight Management' from the Living Healthy drop down menu.
- The UT Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provides confidential assistance to help you resolve problems that affect your personal life or job performance. The EAP can help with stress, depression, alcohol or drug problems, financial issues, interpersonal problems and much more. To find your local EAP vendor, visit http://www.livingwell.utsystem.edu/eap.htm.
- The UT System "Living Well: Make it a Priority" program has a wide range of online tools and resources for you to better manage every aspect of health and well-being, including managing your weight during the holidays. These programs are available to all UT System employees, retirees, and dependents. For more details, go to www.livingwell.utsystem.edu/myweight.
Healthy Recipe of the Month
Holiday Recipes Makeover
Traditional holiday dishes can stir up a bad case of heartburn - as well as pack on the pounds. Here's how to lighten your favorite recipes, but keep the satisfying taste. What's a holiday feast without a turkey or a roast with all the trimmings? Indeed, that's what we love about the holidays - all that rich satisfying food we don't often get. We load up the dinner plate with our favorites, then go back for more. Trouble is, those foods are full of fat. For people prone to heartburn, too much fat - and too much food - that is just asking for problems. Learn more!
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