Prepare for Open Enrollment before it’s time to make your ... · Here are a few tips to get...
Transcript of Prepare for Open Enrollment before it’s time to make your ... · Here are a few tips to get...
In this issue
2 • AhistoryofIndianalicenseplates
3
The TorchispublishedmonthlybytheStatePersonnelDepartment
andisavailableonlineatwww.in.gov/spd
Submityourstoryideasto:[email protected]
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56 • SurgeonGeneral’s
calltowalktobetterhealth
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October 2015
• ContinuetoengagewithHumanaVitality
4• FluShotClinicsaroundthestate
• PrepareforOpenEnrollment
• BecomeaWellnessChampion
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Prepare for Open Enrollment before it’s time to make your selectionsOpenEnrollmentisjustaroundthecorner.Ratherthanwaittothelastminutetodeterminewhatoptionstoselect,taketimenowtocarefullyreviewyourhealthcareneeds.Thatway,youarebetterpreparedtoselecttheplansthatbestmeetthehealthcareneedsofyouandyourfamily.Hereareafewtipstogetstarted:
Know the dates:Markyourcalendarsforthe2016OpenEnrollmentseason.ItbeginsOctober28andendsNovember18atnoon(EST).
Review this year’s medical, vision and dental expenses.Howmuchdidyouspendonmedical,visionanddentalneeds?Theseareyourout-of-pocketexpenses.WouldaHealthSavingsAccount(HSA)makebettersense?AnHSAislikeasavingsaccountsetuptofundonlyeligiblemedical,visionanddentalexpenses.Notonlydoesthestatedepositmoneyintotheaccount,butanemployeecanalsoelectaportionoftheirpaychecktobedepositedintoaHSA,beforetaxes.AnemployeemustopenupaHSAinordertoreceivethecontributionsthestatemakestoeachaccount.Comparethetotalout-of-pocketcostsyouspentthispast
yearinmedical,visionanddentalexpensesandthecostofyouroverallmedicalexpenses.Besuretoincludeyourpremiumcosts.Afteryoutotalthisnumber,aCDHPcombinedwithaHSA,maybesignificantlycheaperthanatraditionalPPOmedicalplan.Itcanpotentiallygiveyouothertaxadvantagessincecontributionsaremadebeforetax.
Examine how much you contribute to your Flexible Spending Account (FSA).IfyouhaveaFlexibleand/orDependentCareSavingsAccount,besuretoexamineyourout-of-pocketexpensescloselyastheseprogramsareause-it-or-lose-itprogram.Youmayneedtoincreaseordecreaseyourcontributionsaccordingly.
Understand your insurance needs. Ifaqualifyingeventhasoccurredwithinthepastyear,yourinsuranceneedsmayhavechangedaswell.Aqualifyingeventcouldbeabirth,divorce,weddingoranadoption.Ratherthansimplysigningupforthesameamountyoudidtheyearbefore,determinewhetheryouroverallfinancialsituationhaschanged,andwhetherornotyouneedmoreorlessinsurance.Ifyouexperiencedsuchaneventand
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A history of Indiana license plates from 1905 to the presentBicentennial Commission
OnMarch6,1905,Indianastarteditsveryfirststatewideregistrationofmotorvehicles.Sincethen,licenseplateshaveevolvedinhowtheylook,howtheyareissuedandhowtheyareused.AutomobileLicensePlateCollectorsAssociation,Inc.iscreatingadisplayofIndianalicenseplatesoverthelast110yearstocelebratetheBicentennial.TheexhibitwillreflectasignificantpartofIndiana’smotoringhistory,theexpansionandeaseoftransportationandthegrowthfromtheLincolnHighwaytomoderninterstatesasweknowthem.
Thefirststatewideregistrationofmotorvehicles,in1905,wasapermanentlicensetax,withaone-
timefeeof$1.Name,address,makeofvehicleandregistrationnumberwererecordedbystateofficials,andatwo-inch
diameterdiscbearingtheregistrationnumberwasissuedtoeachmotorist.Thatdiscwasrequiredtobemountedonthevehicle.Commonpracticewastoattachthediscontothewoodendashboardsofvintagemotorcars.Asaresult,theyhavebecomeknownasdashboarddiscs.ActuallicenseplateswerealsorequiredbytheState,butwerenotprovidedbytheState.Thesearereferredtoas“ownerprovidedplates”or“pre-stateplates,”andhavebeenfoundinallmannerofmaterialsandformats.Somepioneermotoristssimplypaintedtheregistrationnumberontotheirvehicles,butit Thank you to the Automobile License
Plate Collectors Association President Greg Gibson for this submission.
wasmorecommontohaveplatesfabricatedbycommercialproviders.VerypopularamongIndianaautoownerswasasinglepiecebrassplate,whichwasstencil-cuttoallowairtoflowtotheradiator.ThisdesignisvirtuallyuniqueamongthestatestobrasseraIndianamotorists,andarehighlysoughtafter.
In1913,Indianabeganissuingannualstate-providedlicenseplates.Theseplateswereflat,cold-rolledsteelcoveredwithporcelainenamel.ThisistheonlyyearthatIndianaissuedaporcelainplate.
Thereafter,Indianaplatesweremadeofpainted,embossedsteelwithdifferentcolorcombinationseachyear.AfavoriteofmembersoftheAutomobileLicensePlateCollectorsAssociation(alpca.org),whichistheoldestandlargestlicenseplatecollectorsclubintheworld,isthevibrantgreen-on-pink1915issue.
WiththeoutbreakofWorldWarII,Indianamirroredtheeffortsofotherstatesbycontributingtometalconservation.Thestateissuedonlyasmallattachmentin1943,which
revalidatedthe1942plate.ThisistheonlyyearthatIndianadidnotissueanewplateuntil1984,makingTheHoosierStateafavoriteamongcollectors.Countycodingoflicenseplatesbeganin1950,withAllenCountybeingdesignatedwithletterprefixesfromDDtoDH.Beginningin1963,countycodingwaschangedwiththefirstoneortwonumeralsintheserialnumberindicatingthecountyofissuance.AllenCountywasassignednumber2,andthecodingwasrefinedtoreflect
issuingoffices,whichareidentifiedbyaletterintheserialnumber.FortWaynemotoristsreceivedAthroughH,PandTthroughZ.GrabillwasidentifiedbythelettersJandS,whileNewHavenissuedKthroughNandR.
Now,morethan100yearsafterIndianaissueditsfirstone,wecelebratethestate’sBicentennialwithnothingotherthanaBicentenniallicenseplate.
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Prepare for Open Enrollment before it’s time to make your selections
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didnotrequestachangetoyourbenefitswithinthefirst30calendardays,theopenenrollmentperiodisthetimetodoso.Lifeinsurancecanbeconsideredifyoudonotcurrentlycarryit.
Review your dependents and beneficiaries.Thisisanimportantthingtoassessonayearlybasis.Ifyourfamilysituationhaschangedatall,itwillcertainlymeritmakingareviewofyourdependentsandbeneficiaries.
Also,ensureyourdependentsocialsecuritynumbersareincludedinPeopleSoft.UndertheAffordableCareAct,applicablelargeemployersarerequiredtorequestdependents’socialsecuritynumbersforuseincompletingnewIRSforms,1094-Cand1095-C.
HerearetheStepstouploadthisinformation:• LogintoPeopleSoftHR• ClickonMainMenu• ClickSelfService• ClickBenefits• ClickDependentBeneficiary
Information• ClickonChild’sName• ClickEdit• EntertheSocialSecurityNumber• ClickSaveandsignoutof
PeopleSoft
If you are married: compare your coverage against your spouse’s.Ifyouandyourspousehavedifferentcompanybenefits,makesuretoweightheprosandconsofeachhealthinsuranceandoverallbenefitspackage.Sincepremiumscanchange
significantlyinsmaller-andmedium-sizedcompaniesbaseduponlastyear’shealthclaimratings,onecompany’sinsuranceprogramscanbecheaperthananother.Thiscouldbeachangefromtheyearbefore.Comparethelistofdoctorsinyourplantoyourspouse’stoseeifoneplanoffersmorethantheother.Ifyourspouse’sopenenrollmentperiodandeffectivedatesdifferfromthestateplans,planahead.Yourspouse’sopenenrollmentisnotconsideredaqualifyingeventtochangeplansorlevelofcoveragelaterintheyear.Also,ifyou’respouse’splandoesnotoffervisionordental,youmayconsiderpickingoneortheotherfromthestate’splan.
Openenrollmentdoesnotneedtobeastressfultime.Plan,prepareandaskquestionsnowtohelpreducethestresslater.Ifyouhaveanyquestionsaboutyourbenefitsorhaveauniquesituationandrequiresomeguidance,pleasecontacttheSPDBenefitsHotlineat317-232-1167(withinIndianapolis)ortoll-freeat877-248-0007(outsideIndianapolis).
Do you have a passion for personal health and wellness?TheStatePersonnelDepartment(SPD)isseekingenergeticindividualswhohaveadesiretohelpothersattheirworklocationsbyservingasWellnessChampions.AWellnessChampionservesasanambassadorofwellnessfortheiragencyand/orworklocationby:• Leadingthewellnessinitiativeby
examplethroughpracticinghealthybehaviors
• Enthusiasticallypromotingnewandongoingwellnessprogramsandeventstoco-workers
• Assistinginwellnessprogramimprovementanddevelopmentbyprovidingconstructivefeedback
ItisourgoaltohaveanexpansivenetworkofWellnessChampionstopromoteacultureofwellnessthroughoutallStateagenciesandworklocations.Ifthisinterestsyou,pleasereviewtheWellness Champion duties andsubmittheWellness Champion Request FormtobeconsideredfortheWellnessChampionprogram.
SupervisorapprovalisrequiredandthedeadlinetosubmitisOctober 23.Youcanfindtheseformsandinformationregardingotherwellnessprogramsandinitiativesbyvisiting:investinyourhealthindiana.com.
OnceWellnessChampionsareselected,theywillbenotifiedviae-mail.TheStatePersonnelDepartmentplanstohostaWellnessChampiontrainingsessionlaterthisyeartogiveexistingandnewchampionstheopportunitytolearnabouttheirroleandconnectwithotherchampionswithintheiragencyorgeographicarea.
The Torch4
Continue to engage with HumanaVitality Register your e-mail to get health & wellness updates
Share your wellness testimonial with us! Doyouhaveasuccessstoryyouwanttosharearoundweightloss,healthyeating,fitnessorsuccessyouhaveachievedwithHumanaVitalityorotherwellnessrelatedactivities?Visitourwebsiteandcompletetheformandpossiblyshareaphoto.Wewouldlovetohearfromyou!• Click here and complete the form.
WhetheryouattainedSilverStatusbyAugust31ornot,continuetoengagewithHumanaVitality!Thehealthandwellnessbenefitsfromtheprogramrunfarbeyondthequalificationdeadline.AsyoucontinuetoengagewithHumanaVitality,youcankeepincreasingyourVitalityStatusbyearningmorepointsandbucksthroughouttheremainderoftheyear!AsyourVitalityStatusincreases,sodoesthediscountyoureceiveintheHumanaVitalitymall.YoumayredeemyourVitalityBucksthroughthemallforcoolprizessuchasfitnessdevices,bikes,giftcardsandmuchmore!AfewthingstokeepinmindasyoucontinuetoearnVitalityPointsandBuckswhiletheNewYearapproaches:• 10percentofyourtotalpointsattheendoftheyearwillrolloverto2016.
Thismeansthatthemoreyoudothisyear,theeasierqualifyingcouldbeforyounextyear!
• AnyunusedVitalityBucksstaywithyouinto2016andbeyond!VitalityBucksexpirethreeyearsfromtheendoftheprogramyearinwhichtheywereearned.Forexample,anyunusedVitalityBucksearnedin2015staywithyouuntilyear’sendin2018,assumingyouarestillenrolledinHumanaVitality.
• Doyouenjoyreceivinga10percent,20percent,or40percentdiscountintheHumanaVitalityMallwithyourVitalityBucks?Thisisalldependentonyourrewardstatus,whichwillrolloverwithyouin2016,onceyouhavecompletedtheHealthAssessmentintheNewYear!Youmaycheckyourrewardstatusbyscrollingover“GetHealthy”andclickingon“AchievementDashboard.”
Employeesandtheircovereddependentscanstayupdatedabouttheirstatesponsoredbenefitsoutsideofwork.TheStatePersonnelDepartmenthascreatedanadditionalmailinglistforemployeesandtheirdependentsenrolledinamedicalplanofferedthroughtheStatePersonnelDepartment.
Bysigningupapersonale-mail,yourdependentscanlearnmoreabouttheupcomingOpenEnrollmentperiod,HumanaVitality,thenextqualificationperiodfortheWellnessCDHPandotherInvestInYourHealthwellnessprograminitiatives.Thisisagreatoptionforemployeesthatmaynothaveastatee-mailaddressattheircurrentjob.
• To sign up for this new e-mail list, visit this link.
You’llbeaskedtocompleteabriefsubscriptionprocessincludingtheoptionofsettingupapasswordfortheaccount.
Artwork by Jerry Williams
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Get your flu shot at one of the state sponsored clinicsknownasCHIRP(ChildrenandHoosier’sImmunizationRegistryProgram)andHumanaVitality.
Thebestprotectionagainstthefluistogetaflushoteveryyearbeforethefluseasonstarts.Sinceinfluenzaviruseschangeovertime,itisimportanttogetashoteveryyear.Eachyearthevaccineisreformulatedtoincludethetypesoffluvirusexpectedtocauseillnessduringthatfluseason.Thevaccinebeginstoprotectyouwithinafewdaysaftervaccination,butthevaccineisnotfullyeffectiveuntilabout14daysaftervaccination.
Ifyouarewonderingifyoushouldgetavaccine,adetailedlistcanbefoundatWhoShouldGetVaccinatedagainstInfluenza.Get Vitality Points for your flu shotEarnVitalityPointswhenyouoryourcoveredadultdependents
receiveaflushot.If you attended a state sponsored clinic, you do not need to submit anything for Vitality Points.ThisinformationwillbesenttoHumanaVitalityandyourpointswillbereflectedinyouraccount.However,pleaseallowup to 30 days foryourpointstoshowupinyourHumanaVitalityaccount.
If you receive your flu shot at another location,youwillneedtosubmitproofforVitalityPoints.Youcangetrewardedbysubmittingthepreventionactivityformonline,fromyourmobiledeviceorbymailorfaxwithin90daysoftheimmunization.Remembertosaveproofofyouractivitytobeincludedwithyourself-submission.
• Clickheretoviewthestepsonhowtoself-submitinformationforaflushotinHumanaVitality
• Viewacompletelistofclinicsonourwebsite
KrogerpharmacistsarehostingaflushotclinicsatmanystatefacilitiesacrossIndiana.TheclinicattheGovernmentCentercampusisOctober 14 and 15 from7:30a.m.to3:30p.m.inConferenceRoomsA&B.TheStatehouseAtriumisscheduledforOctober 20.IfyoudonotcarryStateinsurance,thecostis$20payablebycashorcheck. Please Note:ifyouplantobringachildundertheageof11,itisnecessarytohaveawrittenprescriptionfromthedoctororapharmacisttoadministerafluvaccine.Sincepreventivecareservicesarecoveredbythehealthplanat100percent,employeeswiththestate’shealthplanandtheireligibledependentsshouldgetvaccinated.
YoumustbringyourAnthemIDcardandacompletedwaiverpriortoreceivingthevaccination:• Inactivatedshotconsentform-
Learn more• Livenasalvaccineconsentform
KrogerPharmaciesarealsoadministeringvaccinesatparticipatingretaillocations.Vaccinationsmayalsobeadministeredatyourdoctor’soffice,retailpharmacyornearbywalk-inclinic.Evenatanyoftheselocations,thestate’shealthplancovers100percentofthecost,ifyoucarrystateinsurance.
IndianaStatePoliceHealthCarePlanMembersareeligibletoutilizetheseclinics;however,youmustcompleteaseparateclaimformandbringitwithyoutotheclinic.StatePoliceHumanResourceswillbesendingfurtherinformationregardingflushotsthatwillhavetheappropriateclaimforms.
VaccinationsreceivedatstatesponsoredclinicswillbecommunicatedtoboththeIndianaStateDepartmentofHealth’sImmunizationInformationSystem
Date(s) Time(s) Name of Agency Location/City
10/6,10/7 3p.m.–7p.m.RockvilleCorrectional
Facility811West50North,Rockville,IN47872
10/14,10/157:30a.m.–3:30
p.m.IndianaGovernment
CenterSouthIndianapolis
10/1410a.m.–1
p.m.INDOTLaPorte
District315E.BoydBlvd.LaPorte,IN46350
10/198a.m.–12
p.m.ISDHCentralOffice
2N.MeridianSt,Indianapolis,IN
10/207:30a.m.–3:30p.m
Statehouse Indianapolis
10/2111a.m.–1
p.m
HoosierLotteryandHorseRacing
Commission
1302NMeridianSt,Suite100,
Indianapolis,IN46202
10/27,10/281:30p.m.–5:30p.m.
WabashValleyCorrectionalFacility
6908S.OldUSHwy41,Carlisle,IN
47838
10/29 2p.m.–7p.m. IndianaStatePrison1ParkRow,
MichiganCity,IN46360
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Surgeon General’s call to action encourages Hoosiers to walk their way to better health Thenexttimesomeonesays“takeawalk,”offertotakethemuponit.Andaskthemtojoinyou.
UnitedStatesSurgeonGeneralVivekH.Murthy,M.D.,MBA,hascalledforcommunitiestotakeactiontoincreasewalkingandwalkabilityandtoimprovethehealthofAmericans.IndianaStateHealthCommissionerJeromeAdams,M.D.,M.P.H.,isurgingHoosierstoacceptthechallenge.
“Walkingisoneofthemostcommonformsofphysicalactivity,andit’soneoftheeasiestwaystoexercisebecauseitcanbedonealmostanywhere,”Dr.Adamssaid.“Regularphysicalactivitylikewalkingcanhelppeopleofallagesimprovetheirhealth.”
Centuriesago,walkingwasasignificantpartofthehumanexistence,withtownsandvillagesdesignedtosupporthumantransportbyfoot.Butthathaschangedasourrelianceonautomobileshasincreased.The2013BehavioralRiskFactorSurveillanceSystemfoundthatonly48percentofU.S.adultsgetatleast150minutesofactivityaweekasrecommendedinthefederalgovernment’s2008PhysicalActivityGuidelines.TherateisevenlowerinIndiana,wherejust44percentofHoosieradultsmeettheguidelines.
Thislackofactivitycanincreasetheriskofdevelopingawiderangeofhealthissues,includingobesity,heartdisease,diabetesandcertaintypesofcancer.
TheCentersforDiseaseControlandPreventionsayswalkingbrisklyformorethantwohoursaweekcanhelppeoplemeetthePhysicalActivity
Guidelines.Herearesometipstogetyoustartedandtomakewalkingmorefun:• Parkthecarattheshopping
centerandwalktoallyournearbyerrands.
• Findawalkingbuddy.Meetatthesametimemostdaystogoforabriskwalk.
• Hostawalkingmeetingwithworkcolleagues.
• MakeaWalk-and-Talkdatewithafriendorfamilymember.Takeawalkinglunchbreakatwork.Keepextrashoesandsocksintheoffice.
• Ifyou’rewaitingatanappointment,lookforopportunitiestopassthetimebywalkingaroundtheblockoratanearbyparkorfield.
• Findaconvenientwalkingpathnearyourhome,workoranywhereyouwillbe.
Formoreideasabouthowtogetmoving,visitINShapeIndianaatwww.inshapeindiana.org/213.htm.
“Thegreatthingaboutwalkingisyoucandoitbyyourself,withafewfriendsorinagroup,”saidDr.Adams.“Listentomusicwhileyouwalkortalkwithfriends.Ifyoucantakeatleastonebriskwalkaday,youwillstarttoseeimprovementsinyourhealth.”
Sotakeawalk.Thebenefitsareimmeasurable.VisittheIndianaStateDepartmentofHealthatwww.StateHealth.in.gov.HoosierswhodonothavehealthcarecoverageoraccesstoadoctorareencouragedtocheckavailabilityforthenewHealthyIndianaPlan—HIP2.0—byvisitingwww.HIP.IN.govorcalling1-877-GET-HIP-9.
Governor Mike Pence and state employees participate in a Mile With Mike during the annual State Employee Health & Wellness Month.
The Torch 7
Know the symptoms in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month
OctoberisBreastCancerAwarenessmonth.Breastcanceristhesecond-leadingcauseofcancerdeath,andexcludingskincancers,themostfrequentlydiagnosedcanceramongwomenintheU.S.AccordingtotheIndianaCancerFactsandFigures2015report,anaverageof4,415womenwerediagnosedwithbreastcancer,and882womendiedasaresultofbreastcancer,from2008to2012.Breastcancerisrareamongmen;however,becausemenarepronetoignoringwarningsigns,theyareoftendiagnosedatlaterstagesandhavepoorerprognoses.
Sexandagearethetwogreatestriskfactorsfordevelopingbreastcancer.Womenhaveamuchgreaterriskthanmen,andthatriskincreaseswithage.InIndiana,79percentofallbreastcancercasesand88percentofbreastcancerdeathsoccurinwomenovertheageof50.
Modifiableriskfactorsassociatedwithincreasedbreastcancerriskincludeweightgainaftertheageof18,beingoverweightorobese,useofmenopausalhormonetherapy,physicalinactivityandalcoholconsumption.Researchalsoindicatesthatlong-term,heavysmokingincreasesbreastcancerrisk,particularlyamongwomenwhostartsmokingbeforetheirfirstpregnancy.Additionalriskfactorsincludefamilyhistory,race,reproductivefactorsandcertainmedicalfindings,suchashighbreasttissuedensity,highbonemineraldensity,type2diabetes,certainbenign(non-cancerous)breastconditionsandlobularcarcinomainsitu.Inaddition,high-doseradiationtothechestforcancertreatmentincreasesrisk.
Commonsignsandsymptomsofbreastcancerincludeanewlumpormass;hardknots,orthickening;swelling,warmth,rednessordarkening;changeinsizeorshape;dimplingorpuckeringoftheskin;itchy,scaly,soreorrashonthenipple;pullinginofthenippleorotherpartsofthebreast,nippledischargethatstartssuddenly;ornewpainononespotthatdoesn’tgoaway.Althoughthesesymptomscanbecausedbythingsotherthanbreastcancer,itisimportanttohavethemcheckedbyahealthcareprovider.
Regularbreastcancerscreeningscanhelpdiagnosecancerearly,whentreatmentismostlikelytobesuccessful.Womenshouldhavefrequentconversationswiththeirhealthcareproviderabouttheirrisksforbreastcancerandhowoftentheyshouldbescreened.Ingeneral,womenshouldfollowtheserecommendations:• Breast self-awareness:Womenin
their20sshouldbeawareofthenormallookandfeeloftheirbreastssothattheycanidentifypotentiallydangerouschanges.
• Clinical breast exams:TheACSrecommendsthatwomenintheir20sand30shaveaclinicalbreastexambyahealthcareprofessionaleverythreeyears.Asymptomaticwomenintheir40sshouldhaveyearlyclinicalbreastexams.
• Screening mammograms:TheUnitedStatesPreventiveServicesTaskForcerecommendsascreeningmammogrameverytwoyearsfor
womenages50-74,whichcanhelpdetectcancerbeforealumpcanbefelt.Womenages40-49,especiallythosewithafamilyhistoryofbreastcancer,shoulddiscusstherisksandbenefitsofmammographywiththeirhealthcareprovidertodetermineifitisrightforthem.
Accordingtothe2014IndianaBehavioralRiskFactorSurveillanceSystem,72.4percentofwomenages50-74havehadamammograminthepasttwoyears.TheAffordableCareActrequirespreventivescreeningservicestobeincludedinmostinsurancepolicies.Often,theseservicesarepaidinfull.Forstateemployeeswithstate-providedmedicalbenefits,preventivecareservicesarecoveredat100percentwithnodeductibleatin-networkproviders.Thisincludesscreeningsforbreastcancer,cervicalcancer,colorectalcancerandprostatecancer.(Althoughroutineprostatespecificantigen(PSA)testingisacoveredprocedure,theUnitedStatesPreventiveServicesTaskForcerecommendsthatmenbeinformeddecisionmakersanddiscusswhetherornotscreeningisappropriateforthemgiventheirpersonalrisk,familyhistoryandpersonalbeliefs.)
Forthosenotcoveredbythestate’shealthinsurance,theIndianaBreastandCervicalCancerProgram(BCCP)providesaccesstobreastandcervicalcancerscreenings,diagnostictesting,andtreatmentforunderservedandunderinsuredwomenwhoqualifyforservices.Eligibilityisdeterminedbyageandgrossincomeinrelationtofamilysize.FormoreinformationvisittheBCCPwebpage.
Thanks to the Indiana State Department of Health for this submission.
The Torch8
Help prevent cancer with a healthy diet and these other tipsOctoberisNationalBreastCancerAwarenessMonth.Itshouldberememberedthatgoodnutritioncanloweryourriskofdevelopingmultipletypesofcancer.Infact,nutritionguidelinesforcancerpreventionaremuchlikethoserecommendedtopreventothermedicalconcernssuchas,heartdisease,diabetesandobesity.Althoughnoonefoodhasbeenproventopreventcancer,whatweeathasbeenlinkedtofightcancersbothdirectlyandindirectlyasnotedbytheAmericanCancerSociety’s(ACS)recommendationsfornutritionandphysicalactivity.ThefollowingtipsareacompilationofguidelinesfromtheACS,TheAcademyofNutritionandDieteticsandtheAmericanInstituteforCancerResearch,toguideyouonapathtocancerprevention:
Maintain a Healthy WeightBeasleanaspossiblewithoutbecomingunderweight!Researchdemonstratesastronglinkbetweenbodyfatandcancer.Consumingfoodsthatarehighincaloriesbutlowinnutrients,canleadtoweightgainanddecreasedappetiteforfoodsthathavemorecancerfightingproperties.Althoughscienceisn’texactlysurehow,thesesevencancersappeartohaveastrongerconnectiontoincreasedbodyfat:esophagus, pancreas, colon and rectum, breast (after menopause), kidney, endometrial and gallbladder.
Eat Vegetables, Fruits and Whole GrainsMake3/4ofyourplateplantbasedbyeatingmorefruitsandvegetables,includingbeans,andwholegrains.Researchshowsfruitsandvegetableslikelylowertheriskofthefollowingcancers:Lung,OralandEsophageal,StomachandColon.Althoughit’sstilluncertainwhichspecificcomponentsprovideprotection,it’srecommended
thatwechooseanarrayofcolorfulfruitsandvegetablesandmorewholegrains.Evidencesuggestsfoodshighindietaryfiber;vitamins,mineralsandphytonutrientsarehelpful.Consideraddingmoreofthesetoyourdiet:• Cruciferousanddark,leafygreen
vegetables:spinach,broccoli,cauliflower,Brusselssprouts,cabbage,collards,kale
• Fruits:citrus,berries,cherries• Whole-grains:oats,barley,bulgur,
whole-grainpastas,breads,cereals,crackers
• Legumes:driedbeansandpeas,lentils,soybeans
Monitor Meat PortionsConsumingadietthatincludesmeathasnotyetbeendefinitivelyshowntoeitherincreaseordecreasetheriskofcancer.Somestudiessuggestalinkbetweencoloncancerandeatinglargeamountsofredmeat,particularlyprocessedmeatsuchaslunchmeats,ham,baconandhotdogs,butthisresearchisnotconclusive.Animalproteinprovidesallnineessentialaminoacidsandanappropriatewayformanytogetthisdailyrequirement.Itisrecommendedthatwemonitorportionsizebasedonourbodies’needs.
Eat Whole FoodsResearchsuggestssomerelationshipbetweenthenutrientsfoundnaturallyinfoodsandtheirprotectiveability.Whilesupplementscanbeusefulforthosewhoareunabletoeatordrinksomehealthfulfoods,thebestsourcefornutrientsingeneralarefoundinthewholefoodsfirst.Somesupplementsmaycauseharmfulinteractionswithmedicationsorothermedicalconditionsandshouldbecarefullyconsideredwiththeadviceofyourphysician,pharmacistandregistereddietitian.For
moreinformationonthelatest“cancerfightingfoods”seetheAmericanInstituteforCancerResearch’swebsite.
Limit AlcoholEvidencesuggestsalltypesofalcoholicdrinkscouldincreasecancerrisk,particularlythoseofthemouth,pharynx,larynx,esophagus,breastandcolon.Expertsrecommendnomorethanonedrinkadayforwomenandtwoformen.
Be Physically ActiveMaintainingahealthyweightismorethanjusteatingtherightfoods.Engaginginregularexercisecanhelpreduceyourrisk,allowyoutomaintainahealthyweightandassistincontrolandpreventionofothermedicalconditions.Aminimumof30minutesofmoderatephysicalactivitymostdaysoftheweekisrecommended.Briskwalksatlunchoragameoftagwithyourkidsintheyardareacoupleofwaystoincreasedailyactivityabovethenormalroutine.
Watch out for MythsBewaryoffoodslabeledasa“superfood”asthisamarketingstrategy,notsomethingbasedinscience.Othermythsarethatcancerfeedsoffofsugarsoitmustbeeliminatedfromthedietandthatdietarycleanserscanhelppreventcancer.Ifitsoundstoogoodtobetrue,itprobablyis.
Thank you to Dustin Reed, MS, RD, CD, Indiana Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics for this submission.
The Torch 9
Bicentennial Commission visits Lake County
Bicentennial Commission
TheIndianaBicentennialCommissionhelditsmonthlyboardmeetingonSept.18,2015,attheLakeCountyPublicLibrary.
LakeCounty,themostNorthwestcountyinIndiana,isthemostbiologicallydiverseinthestate,thankstotheglaciersandresultantsanddunes.Awhopping
80percentofthestate’sbiodiversityisrepresentedthere,accordingtocommissionmemberMaryMcConnell.
LakeCountyhaseightendorsedlegacyprojectsandplanstosubmitmore.
Clerk-TreasurerofHighlandandLakeCountyCommissionmemberMichaelGriffinwantstokickofftheBicentennialbyflyingtheBicentennialflagandthe20-starflag.Hebelievesthatthiswillshowthecounty’sprideinitsmanylegacyprojects.Doyouknowwhythe20-starflagisimportant?SendyouranswertousonFacebook.‘Like’uswhileyouarethere.
DougRoss,ofTimesMediaGroup,saidtheNWTimesisworkingwiththeStateLibrarytocreateamicrofilmprojectthatwilldigitizeLakeCountynewspapersandhelpwithgenealogy.ThiswillalloweasyaccesstothereportingandrecordingofNorthwestIndianahistoryasithappened.
OtherLakeCountyprojectsincludeplanstobeautifytheentrypointstothecounty,buildacountycomplexandcreateaspecialwebsitefortheLakeCountyLibrary.LakeCountyisalsopartneringwiththeirHistorical
SocietyonamuseumartifactsexhibitandaKoreanWarVeteransprojectandphotobook.
JasperCountyCoordinatorKarenWilsonandcountyCo-ChairSheilaSchroederannouncedthattheircounty’sveryfirstlegacyproject,EvergladesoftheNorth:TheStoryoftheGrandKankakeeMarsh,wasendorsedthisround.Youcanlookituponourwebsite,www.indiana2016.org,andusethesearchfeaturetogetthedetails.Theyareworkingtosubmitotherprojectssuchasplantingtulips,creatingaJasperCountyMagazineandworkingatJamesHanleyParkandDutchTown.Thecommitteeplanstoworkwitheachtowninthecountytogetprojectsunderway.
NewtonCountyCo-CoordinatorLarryLyonsannouncedthathiscounty,theyoungestcountyinthestatebytheway,alsohaditsfirstprojectendorsedthisround.Titled“Hazelden–HomeofGeorgeAde,”focusesonthelifeofthefamousnewspapercolumnist,humoristandmostprolificplaywright.NewtonCountywillcelebrateAdeandtheBicentennialbyhostingIndiana’s200thbirthdaypartyatGeorgeAde’shome,Hazelden,nearBrook.
TheCommissionwaspleasedtoendorse80projectsattheSeptembermeeting.Sevenofthe40countiessubmittingprojects,includingJasperandNewton,werefirsttimeapplicants.TheseprojectsbringthetotalnumberofBicentennialLegacyProjectsto574statewide,in83counties.ThedeadlineforthenextroundofprojectapplicationsisOctober15,forconsiderationattheCommission’snextmeetingOctober27.
10-digit dialing to begin next year
IURC
Inlessthanayear,alllocalcallsinthe317areacodewillhavetobeplacedusingthe10-digitphonenumber.TheswitchwillhappenSeptember17,2016.Stateofficialssaythenew463areacodewillbeaddedtotheregionbecause317issettorunoutofnumbers.
TheIndianaUtilityRegulatoryCommissionorderedanareacodeoverlayforthe317regioninApril2015.Theoverlaydoesnotrequirecustomerstochangetheirexistingareacode.StartingOctober17,2016,newtelephonelinesorservicesmaybeassignednumbersusingthenew463areacode.
Officialssaytherewillbeasix-monthgraceperiodstartingMarch19,2016togiveconsumerstimetoadjusttothechanges.Stateofficialssaycallsthatarecurrentlylocalwillcontinuetobelocal,eventhough10-digitdialingwillberequired.Forlongdistancecalls,consumerswilldial1,plustheareacode,plusthephonenumber.
Meantime,customersareencouragedtocheckandincludetheareacodeonitemslikepersonalorpetIDtags,businessstationary,personalchecks,life-safetysystems,alarmandsecuritysystems,gatesandmobilephonecontactlists.
Due to space limitations, this year’s event is open only to employees enrolled in Hoosier S.T.A.R.T.
and those employees interested in learning more about the program. to register for
the dinner in your area. For questions or help registering, contact Vicky Wright Hunt at (877) 243-4192
or .
Click here
INDIANAPOLIS Tuesday, October 20, 2015Indiana Roof BallroomRegistration - 3:30Program - 4 :00
MADISONWednesday, October 28, 2015Clifty Falls Inn Registration - 4 :30Program - 5 :00
EVANSVILLEThursday, October 29, 2015EVANSVILLEOld National BankRegistration - 4 :30 CST
Program - 5 :00 CST
FORT WAYNEWednesday, November 4, 2015The Landmark CenterRegistration - 4 :30Program - 5 :00
SCHERERVILLEThursday, November 5, 2015Teibel’s Family RestaurantRegistration - 4 :30 CST
Program - 5 :00 CST
Pete the Plannerpersonal finance expert will, once
again, be our featured speaker.
PASTPRESENTfuture
Building your retirement today!
ANNUAL EDUCATIONAL
DINNERS
HOOSIER S.T.A.R.T. AND STATE AUDITOR SUZANNE CROUCH ANNOUNCE THE 2015
Pete will be joined in Indianapolis by his associate Dan Veto, founder of Retirement Spark!, for the Past &
Present portion of the program
Is your financial life running out of time? From the day you begin work you're on a countdown to retirement, but your financial life is more than just a race to retirement.
Your financial life is broken down into your PAST, PRESENT, & FUTURE. This year’s program will help you fix your financial past so in your financial present
you can focus on your financial future.
In addition to our featured speaker, Hoosier S.T.A.R.T. representatives will be available to answer your questions and give you the
chance to schedule an appointment. Please select the location that works best for you. We look forward to seeing you there!
AllHoosiersareinvitedtotakeabriefsurveybetweennowandOctober7.• Click here to complete the survey
TheIndianaOfficeofUtilityConsumerCounselor(OUCC)isseekingfeedbackonutilitybillingpractices,includingwaystomakebillsmoreunderstandableandhelpfultothecustomer.Allsurveyresponseswillremainconfidential.Informationwillbereportedinaggregateandthesurveywillnotaskforyourname.
TheOUCCisparticipatinginautilitybillingsymposiumhostedbytheIndianaUtilityRegulatoryCommission(IURC).Thepurposeofthesymposiumisforconsumergroupsandutilitiestohaveopendialogueaboutbillingbestpracticesaswellasaddressingbillingconcerns.
Yourparticipationisgreatlyappreciated!ThesurveyisalsolinkedfromtheOUCC’shomepageatwww.IN.gov/OUCC.
Take this survey for the Office of the Utility Consumer Counselor
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Offer valid only at the property and dates listed above. Valid on a per night basis and must be mentioned at time of reservation based on 2015 best available rates. Limited number of rooms available for each date. May not be valid during holiday and blackout periods or combined with any other discount or promotional offers. Multiple night minimum stay may apply. Offer based on 4 guests per room and must have one individual 21 years of age or older staying in each room. Offer may be terminated at any time without notice. Offer is not transferable and is not redeemable for cash. Must present valid work ID or documentation at check-in. Limit of 2 rooms per valid ID. Additional charges may apply for themed and premium suites, weekends, and/or holidays.
For more information or reservations, visit greatwolf.com or call 866.925.WOLF (9653). USE CORPORATE CODE:
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Be rewarded with Great Wolf Perks. You’re going to love winding down our water slides, dining in one of our Northwoods-themed restaurants and building great family traditions.
Great Wolf Lodge® amenities include:
· 84-degree colossal indoor water park
· Daily Wolf Walk™ and Story Time
· Spacious Northwoods family suites
· Fantastic specialty-themed restaurants – and much more!
So clear your calendar, pack the swimsuits and
head to Great Wolf Lodge.
Valid through December 30, 2015.
Includes water park admission the day you arrive through the day you depart.
Must present valid work ID or documentation at check-in.
State of Indiana
Great Wolf Lodge- Cincinnati/Mason
Great Wolf Lodge-Sandusky
INDI462B