In this issue:

• Kicking the Tobacco Habit
• Reminder: 4J Flexible Spending Plan Enrollment Deadline
• Keeping Current
• Wellness Clinic
• Our Vision Coverage

Kicking the Tobacco Habit (back to top)
Remember, the new Oregon Department of Education administrative rule, “Tobacco Free Schools,” takes effect on January 1.

This rule prohibits all tobacco use on school property. Our school district is required to “…implement and enforce this rule for students, staff, and visitors.”

If you’ve been thinking of quitting your tobacco habit, here are several resources to help you:

Options Tobacco Cessation Program:
This program is offered free to all 4J employees. (Anyone can accompany you for the $45 program fee).Operated by the Oregon Vascular Institute, this program provides:

To enroll, call Susan Pfanner, Options program coordinator at 686-7442. Identify yourself as a 4J employee for free enrollment.

If you’d like a pamphlet on the program, send an e-mail to me (munyon@4j.lane.edu) or call me at 687-3248

4J Wellness Clinic Smoking Cessation Program:
The 4J Wellness Clinic offers a smoking cessation program that is available to all benefits-eligible classified employees and their dependents.

People who successfully quit smoking may be reimbursed for the cost of tobacco cessation products (Zyban, nicotine gum or patches) that you use in this program.

Other resources:
Oregon Tobacco Quit Line 1-877-270-7867 www.oregonquitline.org
American Cancer Society 1-800-227-2345 www.cancer.org
American Lung Association of Oregon 1-800-586-4872 www.lungusa.org
Nicotine Annonymous 1-415-750-0328 (toll call)

Reminder: 4J Flexible Spending Plan Enrollment Deadline (back to top)
Time is running out to join the 4J Flexible Spending Plan for the 2006 calendar year.

Remember, if you’re expecting to have any out-of-pocket medical expenses for 2006, you may be able to save as much as 30 cents on the dollar in taxes. (consult your tax advisor for your actual savings)

Check out one of the remaining Open Enrollment meetings below. If you have questions, give Manley Services a call at 485-7488.The remaining meetings:
Tues. 12/13, 7:00 pm Ed Center Auditorium
Thur. 12/15, 3:30 pm Ed Center Auditorium
The enrollment deadline is December 15.
This is your final opportunity to save tax dollars on medical expenses for 2006!

Keeping Current (back to top)
Remember, keep the Employee Benefits Office informed of any change of insurance status for you and your dependents.

While you may drop dependents from coverage during the plan year, you may only add them on during the annual Open Enrollment in September.

The exceptions to this rule are called qualifying events. Examples of qualifying events include birth, adoption, marriage, guardianship, or loss of other coverage.

If one of these qualifying events occur, notify the Employee Benefits Office (x3491) ASAP to ensure proper coverage for you and your family.

Wellness Clinic Schedule During Winter Break (back to top)
The 4J Wellness Clinic will be open for your convenience during the first week of Winter Break:
Monday through Friday, December 19 – 23 (open until 4:00 Dec. 23)

The Clinic will be closed from December 26 through January 2, and will re-open again on Tuesday, January 3. Be sure to plan ahead for any prescription refills, etc.

Call 686-1427 to schedule an appointment at the 4J Wellness Clinic.

Our Vision Coverage (back to top)
The reimbursement for our vision care benefit is at 90% of the cost, up to the Maximum Plan Allowance (MPA) for services, frames and lenses. If disposable contacts are purchased instead of glasses, you will receive 90% coverage up to the MPA for frames and eyeglass lenses.

The MPA can vary slightly, depending on the location of the provider. In order to find out exactly what ODS will pay, have the provider call ODS with the procedure codes, as well as their zip code. You can also call ODS to get an estimate, or if you have other questions about your benefit.

Your choice on where you have your exam, and where you buy your corrective devices, can have a big impact on your out-of-pocket expenses. It pays to shop around.

There are specific time limits on how often you can receive vision benefits, based on age. Refer to your red Classified Benefits Overview book pages 3.1 and 3.2 for more details. After you read the Overview, contact ODS Customer Service at 1-800-420-7758 if you need more information.