OCPS and Cigna are proud to announce that the Women’s Center for Radiology’s Mobile Breast Center will be on location offering screening mammograms in April (appointments at all locations start at 8 a.m.).
Ronald Blocker Educational Leadership Center
Monday, April 17
Lake Nona Transportation Compound
Tuesday, April 18
Pine Hills Transportation Compound
Thursday, April 20
To make an appointment, call 407.841.0822, option 2.
Please note:
• Appointments are required and patients must meet the eligibility requirements in order to participate. Visit http://insurance.ocps.net and go to the Employee Wellness page for more information and instructions.
• If you or any member of your household has COVID-19 symptoms, are awaiting COVID-19 test results or tested positive for COVID-19, do not attend the mobile mammography event.
OCPS Insurance Benefits represent a significant part of employees’ total compensation. This March, we’ll ask for your thoughts in our ninth biennial insurance benefits survey. Your feedback is very important to us and we plan to share the findings with you in future editions of the Benefits Bulletin. The results of the survey will be used to identify opportunities to enhance the partnership between OCPS and employees, as well as for short-term and long-term strategic planning.
Here is a sample of the information we want to hear about from you:
• How well do you understand the insurance benefits available to you and your family?
• What insurance benefit features are most important to you?
• Are you satisfied with your insurance benefits coverage?
• How much are the insurance benefits worth to you?
• Do you want to participate in wellness seminars and screenings?
Responses are compiled by Gallagher Benefit Services, Inc. OCPS will receive aggregate data.
You can pursue better health without creating more stress. Create lasting change by separating health and weight. Improve your overall health, energy, body image and fitness in a simplified and less stressful manner.
The OCPS Employee Wellness Program and Cigna are proud to present a FREE course provided by Overcoming U – Food Truce and Body Peace.
If you’re interested in this FREE four-week, online course, register* at http://OvercomingUCourses.com/OCPSSignUp
Food Truce and Body Peace Objectives:
• Understand research on increased weight and health conditions as a result of dieting and weight cycling.
• Learn how dieting contributes to generations of eating disorders and poor body image.
• Prepare to address weight bias and stigma to advocate for oneself.
The Benefit Advocate Center is available to assist employees and family members covered by an OCPS medical plan with pharmacy questions. Maximize your pharmacy benefit with a team of licensed healthcare advocates available Monday – Friday, 8 a.m. – 6 p.m. The Benefits Advocate Center can help you:
• Find a covered medication and the cost.
• Find an in-network pharmacy.
• Explain coverage information.
Call 1.833.416.5130 or email bac.ocps@ajg.com for assistance. Emails are sent to a secure database and replies are encrypted.
CVS Caremark provides pharmacy benefits for the OCPS plans. The Benefit Advocate Center does not replace CVS Caremark, it is an additional service available to assist members with elevated pharmacy questions.
During the 2021-22 insurance plan year 41.3% of eligible OCPS Cigna members took the life saving step of receiving their colorectal cancer screening. In cancers that affect all genders, colorectal cancer is the second leading cancer killer. This doesn’t have to be the case, by starting routine cancer screening beginning at age 45 most cases can be prevented. With several types of colorectal cancer screenings available, now is the time to call your doctor and schedule the one that is best for you.
What is colorectal cancer?
Cancer is a disease in which cells in the body grow out of control. Colorectal cancer is cancer that occurs in the colon or rectum.
What are the symptoms?
Many people do not show symptoms, especially in the early stages. If symptoms do occur they may include:
• Changes in your bowl habits.
• Blood in or on your stool.
• Abdominal pain, aches or cramps that don’t go away.
• Unexplained weight loss.
What screening options are available?
The most common colorectal cancer screenings are:
• Stool Tests – These screenings are non-invasive and do not require preparation like a colonoscopy. Fecal immunochemical tests or fecal occult blood tests (FIT or FOBT) are at-home screenings that may require diet restrictions. They screen for blood in stool and are recommended every year. The stool DNA test (Cologuard) is an at-home screening that can detect blood or altered DNA in a stool sample. Depending on risk, this screening is recommended every three years.
• Colonoscopy – During this procedure you will receive medication to make you comfortable. A health care provider performs this screening
using a long, thin, flexible, lighted tube to check for polyps or cancer inside the rectum and the entire colon. During the procedure, the health care provider can find and remove most polyps and some cancers. This screening requires preparation and depending on risk, it is recommended every ten years.
Which screening is best?
If you are over the age of 45 it is important to discuss the risks and benefits of colorectal cancer screenings with you doctor. Your doctor will be able to provide insight to which one is best for you.
What is your next step?
Call your doctor and discuss which colorectal screening is recommended. If you do not currently have a doctor, you can log into www.myCigna.com and find a or call Cigna at 1.800.244.6224
Sign Up Today for the Simply IOA Corporate 5k
Presented by Key HR
Running is not required. Walkers are welcome.
Date: Thursday, May 4, 2022
Time: 6:15 p.m., Early arrival is recommended.
Location: Lake Eola, Downtown Orlando (virtual option is available)
Website: www.corporate5k.com
For more information and training plans click HERE
Days get busy and seem to fly by. Scheduling time to take care of yourself is just as important as showing up to work. This month’s Healthy Hero, nominated by her colleague Christina Savino, shared her secret to making her health a priority. Carolyn Griner, Program Assistant for Title I Federal Programs, said, “Treat exercise like a job, set a time daily that you report on the job exercising and giving 100%. The salary is good health. You only succeed with consistency and dedication.”
Savino shared that Griner promotes a healthy lifestyle sharing pictures and accomplishments with their team. We all know the struggle that occurs when there are donuts or other high sugar, low nutrient snacks in the breakroom. Griner thanks those offering the snack, but makes sure she has her own options ready to go. Her walks during breaks have inspired coworkers to start moving as well. Beyond walks, Griner is now an avid cycler and for her 53rd birthday challenged herself to a 53 mile cycle.
In November, the OCPS Employee Wellness Program hosted the Wobble Before You Gobble virtual 5k. Griner didn’t complete it just once, she took the challenge further by walking 3.1 miles every day from October 30 to November 20, 2022.
We honor Carolyn Griner as March’s Healthy Hero. Let’s follow her lead by scheduling exercise into our day.
If you would like to nominate a co-worker as a Healthy Hero, please e-mail wellness@ ocps.net with the candidate’s name, location and why they deserve the title.
It may be coincidence that March is both Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month and National Nutrition Month; however, studies show there is a connection between healthy eating habits and lowering your risk of colorectal cancer.
Incorporate these three habits to support colorectal health:
1. Boost Fiber - A diet full of high-fiber foods helps to boost gut health and reduce constipation. You can boost your fiber intake by choosing whole grains over refined white grain options, eating fresh fruits and vegetables with the skin and adding beans and lentils, when possible. Women should aim for 25 grams of fiber, while men should target 38 grams per day.
2. Choose Quality Proteins - Research links high intakes of red, processed and charred meat with increased cancer risk, so eat these sparingly. Instead, choose lean meats such as fish, white meat poultry and/or plant proteins like beans, lentils and tofu.
3. Hydrate - Staying properly hydrated can help rid your body of waste and stay regular. Many Americans fall short of water intake recommendations. Keep a reusable water bottle with you and you’ll always have some within reach.
Following these tips can help to promote colon heath, as well as overall health including weight management and lowering blood sugar. To learn more about healthy eating habits to support your overall health, email Health Coach Danielle at employeehealthcoach@ocps.net or call 407.304.8042.
The Benefits Bulletin is designed to keep OCPS employees and their families informed about available benefit programs. This information is not intended to replace professional health care. See your health care professional for information relevant to your medical history.
Editors: Kimberly Eisenbise and Beth Palmer
Graphic Artist: Kim Boulnois