AlaskaCare Employee News | Quarterly Newsletter | Summer 2024
Alaska Department of Administration sent this bulletin at 07/30/2024 08:43 AM AKDTHaving trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.
Summer 2024 | #112
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
Call The Eye Guys at 907.376.3917 for an appointment, or visit vsp.com for more information.
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AlaskaCare employees and eligible dependents are invited to participate in the 2024 Coalition Health Fair. Lab tests will be available at the health fair to adults over age 18. Test results will be sent to you directly. Pre-registration for lab tests and flu shots is required and opens on August 1, 2024. The Coalition Health Fair offers fasting and non-fasting labs at some locations. Non-fasting locations will be noted when you pre-register. The following screening tests are paid 100% by your health plan at no cost to you!
Flu Shots: The Quadrivalent flu vaccine is offered to eligible participants age 9 and over (pending vaccine availability) and provided by the Coalition. High dose flu shots will not be offered. *Soldotna participants between the ages of 9-17 will receive a flu shot voucher. You MUST register in advance to attend any of the following events:
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Understanding Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Many people are exposed to traumatic events at some point in their lives. These may include car accidents, natural disasters, acts of violence or other events. Any experience that causes severe distress can be “traumatic.” You don’t have to experience an event to be traumatized by it. Vicarious trauma can come from seeing videos or hearing stories about an event.
Reactions to trauma
Many people experience a stress response after a trauma. This is sometimes referred to as “traumatic stress.” This stress can show up in your emotions, your body or your thinking. And it has nothing to do with how strong or weak you are. It’s a natural reaction to an unnatural event.
Here are some common reactions:
- Emotions — Feeling numb, having mood swings, feeling guilt, shame, isolation or hopelessness
- Physical — Trouble sleeping, changes in appetite, physical complaints, feeling “edgy,” poor self-care
- Mental — Shock and denial, confusion, forgetfulness, poor concentration, thinking about the event, distrusting others, wanting to control things
Stress reactions may last several days or a few weeks. For most people, these symptoms will decrease over time on their own.
Symptoms of PTSD
In some cases, traumatic stress symptoms don’t go away. They remain. This may be a case of PTSD. Your risk of developing PTSD goes up with the severity, length and physical closeness to a traumatic event. Some people may experience PTSD after one traumatic event. But others may experience cumulative PTSD after exposure to multiple traumas.
PTSD is only diagnosed if your symptoms have lasted more than a month. And symptoms usually show up within the first three months after the event. But they can also surface months or even years later.
PTSD symptoms are a little different from traumatic stress. Here are some things you might notice:
- Nightmares, unwanted and distressing memories, flashbacks, severe distress when reminded of the event
- Avoidance – Trying not to think about the event or avoiding people, places and things that remind you of it
- Thoughts and feelings – Emotional numbness, guilt and shame, feeling detached from others, negative thoughts about yourself, others or the world
- Reactions – Being easily startled, trouble sleeping, sudden outbursts
Working through trauma
Everyone reacts differently to stress. And there’s no “right way” to handle trauma. Healing takes time. And the time it takes varies for each person. We know that dealing with emotional pain can help you heal. It can be tempting to try and avoid thinking about a traumatic event. But avoiding may make it harder to move forward.
Treatment can help you recover from PTSD. This may include therapy, medication or a special treatment called eye movement desensitization and reprocessing (EMDR). What matters is that you recognize PTSD symptoms and seek help.
Resources:
- 24/7 Confidential support: 1-855-417-2493, TTY: 711
- Find a Counselor
- Resources for Living website
Anytime Support: Aetna Resources For Living
Resources for Living is part of the State of Alaska Employee Assistance Program, provided by Aetna. This program consists of support services, seminars, and resources to support your well-being and mental health. Read on to learn about some of the things the program offers and where you can go to find additional information.
Emotional Well-being Support: You can access up to 8 counseling sessions per issue each year. You can also call at anytime for in-the-moment emotional well-being support. Counseling sessions are available face to face, via televideo or chat therapy. Services are free and confidential and offer a wide range of covered issues such as:
- Anxiety
- Relationship support
- Depression
- Stress management
- Work/life balance
- Family issues
- Grief and loss
- Self-esteem and personal development
- Substance misuse and more
Daily Life Assistance: Competing day-to-day needs can make it tough to know where to start. Personalized guidance is available to you with resources for:
- Child care, parenting and adoption
- Care for older adults
- Caregiver support
- School and financial aid research
- Special needs
- Pet care
- Community resources/basic needs
- Home repair and improvement
- Summer programs for kids
- Household services and more
Legal Services: You can get a free 30-minute consultation with a participating attorney for each new legal topic. If you opt for services beyond the initial consultation you can get a 25 percent discount. You also have free access to legal documents and forms on your member website. Services must be related to the employee and eligible household members. Work-related issues are not covered. Discount does not include flat legal fees, contingency fees and plan mediator services. Legal topics can be related to:
- General
- Family
- Civil/Criminal law
- Elder law and estate planning
- Divorce
- Wills and other document preparation
- Real estate transactions
- Mediation services
Resources for Living Webinars:
Join live webinars on topics such as communication, stress, self-improvement and more. You can also view webinars on demand from the webinar library.
For more information, please visit the Resources for Living webpage.
Playing Defense with Diet: Longevity
Numerous studies and just plain common sense tell us that what we consume has a tremendous impact on so many aspects of our health and overall quality of life. For those interested in adopting a healthier way of life and aging well, a closer look at diet may be in order. It may be time to adopt some of the dietary components of other cultures that have been shown to have positive effects for the long term.
A recent study in the British Medical Journal found that the classic Mediterranean diet was associated with a longer lifespan among elderly Europeans. A Mediterranean diet is:
- High in vegetables, legumes, fruits, and cereals
- Moderate to high in fish
- Low in saturated fats
- High in unsaturated fats, especially olive oil
- Low in dairy products and red meat
- Moderate in alcohol intake, primarily in wine
Many studies have noted the beneficial effects of this type of diet. This particular study followed over 74,000 healthy men and women over the age of 60. Information gathered and analyzed included diet, lifestyle, medical history, tobacco use, levels of physical activity, etc. Those who followed the diet more closely had a lower mortality rate. So for example, a three to four-point increase in the dietary scale used to measure adherence resulted in a reduction in total mortality by 11% and 14% respectively. It was found the association was strongest in Greece and Spain, which the study’s authors attributed to a strong cultural adherence to this type of diet.
A few simple modifications may be all that’s needed to align more closely with the Mediterranean mindset when it comes to food and experiencing the benefits. One of those just might be a longer life!
For more articles on healthy habits, fitness, nutrition, mental health, and more, please visit Resources for Living, which is a resource provided by the Employee Assistance Program and Aetna.
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:
- Online: Teladoc.com/Aetna
- Mobile App: Teladoc.com/mobile
- Phone: (855)-Teladoc (835-2362)
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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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
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