EEA & 4J Benefits & Wellness

Many of you may be wondering how to obtain a Covid-19 booster shot. At this time, 4J does not intend to organize Covid-19 booster shot clinics for staff, however, if you would like to have a booster shot, here are some resources to check out:

· Cascade Health offers the Pfizer vaccine, and you can schedule an appointment for your booster shot through their website. They offer vaccinations and boosters every Tuesday.

· For Kaiser members, schedule an appointment through your app or by visit-

ing kp.org.

· Contact your primary care provider and ask if the booster is available through their office.

· Check with your local pharmacy. The following pharmacies have booster shots available and online scheduling options.

o Walgreens

o Safeway/Albertsons

o Costco

o CVS Pharmacy (If you have Moda insurance, you will have to pay up front and submit a reimbursement form)

o Walmart, you will have to create an account to schedule a booster online.

The 4J Wellness Clinic is NOT offering Covid booster shots at this time.

The 4J Joint Benefits Committee, in partnership with Uprise Health, is offering a series of free online seminars to 4J employees & retirees. The next class will be Managing Emotions During Turbulent Times. This class will take place:

· Wednesday, December 1, 2021

· 5:00 – 6:00 p.m.

· Online Presentation via Zoom

This session will help you become more aware of your stress symptoms and emotional responses. You’ll learn positive strategies to manage stress and anxiety by implementing simple self-care practices such as relaxation techniques and focusing on the three pillars of health; diet, exercise and sleep.

Click the link to register for this webinar. https://forms.gle/mZPW38tPPqxaPnkR8

The Zoom link will be sent out to all who R.S.V.P.

Seminars on the horizon include:

• Strategies For Creating Moments of Mindfulness
• Managing Your Finances Paycheck to Paycheck
• Mindful Eating
• Resilience in Times of Change

If you are considering retirement, please make sure you are aware of the requirements and timelines. There are two steps you’ll need to take to complete your retirement:

1. Contact PERS to begin your Service Retirement process.

2. Contact Jamie Myers to learn about your 4J retirement benefits and complete your 4J retirement paperwork.

Retirement Notification: Licensed employees can retire at any time provided they give at least a 60-day written notice to 4J as required by ORS 342.553 (1).

Article 4.9 of our contract also addresses required retirement notification:

The District will provide two supplemental retirement plans for eligible unit members. A unit member hired and employed as a bargaining unit member prior to July 1, 1998 and continuously a bargaining unit member until the date of retirement from District employment, is eligible for Supplemental Retirement Plan A. A bargaining unit member hired and employed on or after July 1, 1998, is eligible for Supplemental Retirement Plan B. A unit member who elects supplemental retirement must provide the District with at least sixty (60) days advance notice of retirement. Notice may be revoked or waived with District consent.

Article 4.9.1.b of our contract outlines an additional timeline requirement for plan A retirees:

By April 1st, unit members must give the District Human Resource Department a written commitment which specifies a retirement date if they intend to retire during the period from April 1st through November 15th. If unit members provide this commitment by April 1st, they shall be advanced two payments of the monthly supplemental retirement stipend in the first month following termination from the District. If unit members do not provide this commitment by April 1st and retire during the period from April 1st through November 15th, the unit members shall not be paid the monthly supplemental retirement stipend or the District insurance contribution during the first two months following retirement.

Your written notification of your intent to retire (including your retirement date) should be sent to hr_licensed@4j.lane.edu. If you sign your 4J retirement paperwork prior to the notification deadline, that paperwork serves as your written notification.

Well, maybe not always on sunshine. It’s probably more like walking on wet paths, but the key word here is walking. As part of 4J’s Wellness Grant from OEA Choice Trust, you now have access to an excellent walking app called “Walker Tracker.”

Walker Tracker is an online tracking tool that is customized to meet your needs and motivate you through virtual map challenges and social engagement. Team 4J is currently enrolled in the 2021 OEA Choice Trust Fall Grantee vs. Grantee Challenge! It is called “Building Healthy Habits,” and it will take us virtually across the United States as we learn how to build healthy habits and compete against other grantees. The step goal for the challenge is 7,000 steps per day. All that is missing is you!

To join the challenge:

1. Click the link to register on the Walker Tracker site. https://eugene4jsd.walkertracker.com
2. Download the app onto your tablet or smart phone.
3. Go for a walk!

And if you feel like tapping your toes to Katrina & the Waves, in all their eighties glory, here is a link to the Walking on Sunshine music video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPUmE-tne5U.

All Moda plans use the Connexus Network, and each plan is divided into three levels of benefit.

Coordinated Care: Opting into coordinated care offers you the lowest cost at the doctor’s office. For most services, you will be asked to pay a set amount called a “copay” at the time of your visit.

• PCP 360 In order to receive the coordinated care benefit, you must name a PCP 360 provider with Moda. You can do this on the MyModa site by logging in, or by calling Moda at 866-923-0409.
• If you wish to change your PCP 360 selection, use one of the options provided above. The change will be effective the first of the month in which you made your selection.
• Not sure who to select for your PCP 360? You could name one of our 4J Wellness Clinic providers: Michelle Davila or Shannon Micheel.

Non-Coordinated Care: If you do not select a PCP 360 provider with Moda, then you have chosen non- coordinated care by default. Choosing non- coordinated care means that for most services, when you are seen by a medical provider in the Connexus Network, you must meet your deductible first, then you pay a co-insurance percentage (usually 20-25%) of the cost of the visit. Your annual deductible is also higher with non-coordinated care.

Out of Network: This benefit level is for all services received from providers who are not in the Connexus Network. Like non-coordinated care, you must first meet your deductible before being charged a percent- age of the cost of the visit. You will pay a higher percentage, often 50%, of the cost than with non-coordinated or coordinated care.

If you made the switch from Moda to Kaiser, or you have enrolled in health insurance for the very first time, you might be wondering how to get started as a Kaiser member. It’s actually VERY easy to do.

1. Find a block of about 20 minutes that you can devote to a phone call.

2. Call 888-491-1124.

3. Identify yourself as a new member, and say that you want to establish care for the first time. It’s helpful to have your health record number handy, but they can look it up for you if you don’t know it yet. During the phone call, you can select a primary care doctor, give your health history, transfer your prescriptions, and schedule your first appointment.

4. Finally, register on KP.org, then download the KP app to your smartphone or tablet. This will enable you to view your medical record, email or text your doctor (for real!!), and schedule appointments.

The information in this newsletter has been summarized. It is presented as information – not advice or counsel.

Email: myers_j@4j.lane.edu
Website: www.4j.lane.edu
Location: 200 North Monroe Street
Phone: (541) 790-7682