AlaskaCare Employee News | Quarterly Newsletter | Spring 2024

Alaska Department of Administration sent this bulletin at 04/09/2024 08:41 AM AKDT

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Spring 2024 | #111

 

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Don't Miss the Chance to Get Your Annual Eye Exam!

The Eye Guys are traveling to locations listed below. Don’t miss out on scheduling your comprehensive eye exam using your VSP benefits. Call The Eye Guys to schedule an appointment at 907.376.3917.

Eye Exams Are More Than A Quick Eye Check.
Through a WellVision Exam®, The Eye Guys will get a better view of your eyes and overall health. They’ll look for eye health problems, such as glaucoma, macular degeneration, and diabetic eye disease. They’ll also look for signs of health conditions, like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes. Plus, you can discuss day-to-day concerns like allergies or digital eye strain.

Event Hours are 9am - 6pm unless listed below
Location Event Dates
Tok - Old Tok Bldg. Mile 123 Cut Off April 16th & 17th
Delta Junction - Diamond Willow Inn April 18th & 19th
Valdez - Valdez Civic Center April 21st, 22nd, & 23rd
Glennallen - Cross Rd. Medical Center April 24th, 25th, & 26th

 

Know Your Resources: 24 Hour Assistance through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

The Employee Assistance Program (EAP), administered by Aetna can connect you to confidential counseling and other support services, free of charge to you and your dependents. This service provides assessment, treatment, and referral services, and fully covers up to eight counseling sessions per problem. Some of the areas the EAP program is geared to providing assistance with include:

Personal balance

Stress management

Emotional wellness

Alcohol and drug issues

Marital/relationship issues

Work-related issues

Family issues

Grief issues

Communication skills

Financial and legal concerns

Toll-free: (855) 417-2493 Online: EAP Home Page 

Aetna EAP staff are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year. When you call, you may be able to work through your problem on the phone with an EAP staff member. In most cases, however, the staff will try to schedule an appointment with a local counselor. The counselor will then assess your situation in person. Based upon this assessment, he or she will either counsel you or refer you to another professional for specialized care. In an emergency, the EAP counselor will provide crisis counseling by phone or will direct you immediately to appropriate medical or psychiatric facilities in your area.

Your call or visit with an EAP counselor is completely confidential. Unless you choose to tell others, no one needs to know about your EAP counseling sessions. EAP counseling offices are located away from your work site. Discussions with an EAP counselor will not be revealed to anyone without your written permission unless required by law. Find more resources here.

 

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Explore Your Options with Teladoc

Teladoc® is already part of your AlaskaCare Employee Health Plan. You can talk to a doctor in minutes. AlaskaCare Employee Health Plan members have 24/7/365 access to health care for non-emergency conditions by web, phone or mobile app. For example, if you have symptoms of the flu, you can contact Teladoc® and a doctor can evaluate and help with next steps when necessary.

The AlaskaCare Employee Health Plan has partnered with Teladoc® since September 1, 2018 to provide you with a convenient and affordable way to receive quality medical care.

All Teladoc® doctors are board-certified, state-licensed and can treat many health issues, including:

  • Cold and flu symptoms
  • Allergies
  • Bronchitis
  • Skin problems
  • Respiratory infections
  • Sore throat
  • Sinus problems
  • Dermatology
  • Caregiving
  • Behavioral Health
  • ...and more!

How to use Teladoc®

To utilize the benefit, begin by registering your Teladoc® account. There are three ways to register:

During registration, you’ll complete your medical history so when you need Teladoc®, it will be fast and easy. Watch a short video   to discover more.

Services Offered

General Medical Consultation: Teladoc® is another alternative to accessing medical care for your non-emergent symptoms 24/7/365. Teladoc® is a convenient and affordable healthcare alternative to expensive and time-consuming E.R. visits or after-hour periods where care is difficult to find. All Teladoc® doctors are board-certified, state-licensed, and can even send a prescription straight to your nearest pharmacy when medically necessary!

Fee: For General Medical Consultation, the copay is $0.

Behavioral Health Consultation: Feel like yourself again. Choose a therapist or psychiatrist who fits your needs and schedule visits 7 days a week from wherever you're most comfortable. Experts specialize in and support a wide range of needs:

  • Anxiety, stress, overwhelmed
  • Negative thought patterns
  • Depression
  • Not feeling like yourself
  • Not wanting to get out of bed
  • Relationship conflicts
  • Trauma and PTSD
  • Mood swings
  • Medication management

Fee: For Behavioral Health Consultation, the copay is $0.

Dermatology Consultation: There’s no reason to wait weeks for the skin care you need. Teladoc® can resolve your skin issues within days by web or mobile app. Licensed dermatologists can treat ongoing or complex skin conditions like psoriasis, skin infection, rosacea, suspicious moles, and many more—quickly, conveniently, and discreetly.

Fee: For Dermatology Consultation, the copay is $0. The first follow-up within 7 days of initial dermatology consultation also has a copay of $0.

For more information please read the Teladoc FAQs

 

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Finding a Network Provider, Pharmacist or Dentist

The health benefits that are available to you from the State of Alaska AlaskaCare Employee Health Plan represent a significant component of your compensation package. Below you will find resources to search for network providers, pharmacies and dentists. 

Network Provider: You may select any medical network provider from Aetna’s provider directory. You can access Aetna’s online provider directory here, for the names and locations of physicians, hospitals and other healthcare providers and facilities. Due to AlaskaCare having a custom provider network it is important that you use the AlaskaCare specific DocFind® tool rather than Aetna’s public DocFind® tool to get accurate results. You can change your health care provider at any time. If a service or supply you need is covered under the medical plan but not available from a network provider, please contact Aetna at the toll-free number on your ID card for assistance.

Network Pharmacy: You may select any network pharmacy from the OptumRx Pharmacy Locator Tool. You can access OptumRx’s online pharmacy directory for the names and locations of network pharmacies. If you cannot locate a network pharmacy in your area, call OptumRx. You must present your ID card to the network pharmacy every time you get a prescription filled to be eligible for network benefits. The network pharmacy will calculate your claim online. You will pay the deductible, copayment or coinsurance, if any, directly to the network pharmacy. You do not have to complete or submit claim forms. The network pharmacy will take care of claim submission. 

Network Dentist: You can directly access any network dentist or dental care provider for covered services and supplies under the dental plan. Network providers have contracted with Delta Dental either directly or through a third party to provide services and supplies under the dental plan. Network providers are identified in Delta Dental’s directory, which can be found online Here.

You can find more information regarding your health benefits in the Employee Insurance Information Booklet Here.

 

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Food for your Mood: How what you Eat affects your Mental Health

It's widely known that nutrition plays a key role in your physical health. But studies also show that nutrition directly affects our mental and emotional well-being, too.

The science behind food and mood

The link between diet and emotions stems from the close relationship between your brain and your gastrointestinal tract, often called the “second brain.”

Here’s how it works: Your GI tract is home to billions of bacteria that influence the production chemical substances that constantly carry messages from the gut to the brain. Two common examples of this are dopamine and serotonin.

Eating nutritionally dense food promotes the growth of “good” bacteria, which in turn positively affects the production of these chemicals. When production is optimal, your brain receives these positive messages loud and clear, and your mental state can reflect it. On the other hand, when production goes awry, so might your mood. Sugar, in particular, is considered a major culprit of inflammation. It feeds “bad” bacteria in the GI tract. Ironically, it can also cause a temporary spike in “feel good” chemicals like dopamine. These spikes result in a fleeting sugar rush, followed by a hard crash.

When you stick to a diet of nutrient-rich foods, you’re setting yourself up for fewer mood swings and an improved ability to focus. Studies have even found that clean diets consisting of mainly whole, unprocessed foods, can help with symptoms of depression and anxiety. Whereas unhealthy diets have been linked to an increased risk of dementia or stroke.

Foods that help you be healthy

So, what should you put in your cart and on your plate? Here’s a quick overview of what to look for next time you’re in the grocery store.

  • Whole foods
    Some studies show that preservatives, food colorings and other additives may cause or worsen hyperactivity and depression. Eat real food, or food that’s minimally processed and has a few healthy ingredients. Think fresh fruits and vegetables in a variety of colors.
The powerful nutrients produced by colorful produce have tons of benefits for the mind and body. Their nutritional properties are often contained in the colors themselves. By including naturally colorful foods in our diet, we make it much easier for our bodies to get more vitamins and nutrients and reap the many physical and psychological benefits.
  • Fiber
    Plant-based foods are full of fiber which helps your body absorb glucose (food sugars) more slowly. This helps you avoid sugar rushes and crashes. Fiber-rich foods include fruits, vegetables, and nutrient-filled carbs like whole grains and beans.
  • Antioxidants
    These inflammation fighters are especially plentiful in berries, leafy green vegetables, the spice turmeric, and foods with Omega-3 fatty acids, including salmon and black chia seeds. Dark chocolate also contains antioxidants – and sugar – so indulge in moderation.

  • Folate
    This type of B vitamin helps with dopamine production without forcing it to surge the way sugars do. Find it in leafy greens, lentils and cantaloupes.

  • Vitamin D 
    Vitamin D helps with the production of serotonin, and we usually get it from exposure to sunlight. But mushrooms are another good source, Jacobs says. If you’re deficient in vitamin D, your doctor may also recommend taking a supplement. Aetna members may receive discounts on supplements; check your plan’s benefits for details.

  • Magnesium
    This essential mineral helps with everything from nerve and muscle function to keeping a steady heartbeat. But it’s also vital to the food-mood connection. A mineral deficiency can hurt the bacteria in your gut and cause depression and anxiety-like symptoms. Load up with natural sources such as cacao nibs, almonds and cashews, spinach and other dark leafy greens, bananas and beans.

  • Fermented foods
    Fermented foods are packed with probiotics, which are certain live bacteria that are good for your digestive tract. Examples include sauerkraut, kimchi, miso, tempeh and the fermented drink kombucha. These foods also tend to be high in sodium, so consume in moderation or skip altogether if you have high blood pressure.

On your plate and on with your life

Incorporating good-for-your-mood foods into your diet may take some extra effort at first, try preparing a week’s worth of chopped veggies and cooked beans ahead of time. This makes DIY meals easier to whip up and just as tempting as take-out. Strapped for time? Us frozen fruit and vegetables and 10-minute brown rice, quinoa or whole-grain couscous.

You can also try making small healthy food swaps, like trading white rice, pasta and bread for whole-grain versions. This helps increase good fiber in your body, which aids in digestion. And instead of a bag of chips, choose a side salad packed with nuts, seeds and colorful vegetables for extra flavor.

Of course, general nutrition rules still apply. This means staying hydrated, not skipping meals, and being mindful of your caffeine and alcohol intake. It’s a good idea to discuss with your doctor if you should (or should not) drink caffeine or alcohol based on your personal health history and goals, and if so, how frequently in order to stay healthy.

You may find it easier to take things a day at a time or implement a new substitution each week. For example, one week you could replace processed sugar with fresh fruit, and the next week you could add more vegetables and lean protein. There’s no one-size-fits-all when it comes to your health.

Being present and mindful while we eat is another effective tool that can combat cravings or overeating. Try to notice the way your food smells, tastes, and feels as you eat it, and take note of how the nutritious snacks and meals make you feel afterward. Some people who move to a mostly plant-based diet, for instance, often notice that their energy and focus are sustained throughout the day.

It may take days or weeks before you start to feel the mood-boosting effects of a better diet. It depends on how many changes you make. Lasting transformation doesn’t happen overnight, but the healthy choices you make each day build on each other. In time, you’ll see the positive results in both your mind and body.

Find more wellness information and tips here.  
 

feedback

 

We Value Your Feedback! State of Alaska employee input is valued and important. Below is a list of ways to contact us with your feedback. Also, a full list of AlaskaCare health plan and partner contact information can be found on our website.

AlaskaCare – Plan Administrator

  • Toll-Free: (800) 821-2251
  • In Juneau: (907) 465-4460
  • TDD: (907) 465-2805
  • Fax: (907) 465-3086
  • Email: doa.drb.mscc@alaska.gov
 

Physical Address: 

State Office Building
6th Floor
333 Willoughby Avenue
Juneau, AK 99801

Mailing Address:

State of Alaska
Division of Retirement and Benefits
P.O. Box 110203
Juneau, AK 99811-0203

  
Health Benefit Contact Information

Division of Retirement and Benefits
Member Services: (907) 465-4460 | Toll-Free: (800) 821-2251

Medical Benefits: Aetna
Member Services: (855) 784-8646

Dental Benefits: Moda/Delta Dental
Member Services: (855) 718-1768

Pharmacy Benefits: OptumRx
Member Services: (855) 409-6999

Health Flexible Spending Accounts (HFSA): Inspira
Member Services: (800) 416-7053

Surgery Plus
Member Care Advocate: (855) 715-1680

Vision: Aetna VSP
Member Services: (855) 784-8646

Teladoc
Member Services: (855) 835-2362