benefitspulse.org benefitspulse.wordpress.comVol. 23 No. 3 Winter 2013

D i s c o v e r h e a l t h a n d b e n e f i t s n e w s f o r c i t y o f H o u s t o n e m p l o y e e s a n d r e t i r e e s

Improve ProgramNets Results

Pages 5

RetireeHealth Pages 6

Just SoYou Know

Page 8

J uan Buendia rarely goes to the doctor’s office. The trip requires him to skip a day of work, which

means no pay for the carpenter. And to pay for services out of pocket because the small company he works for doesn’t offer insurance.

But the healthcare landscape is changing for Buendia and America. Because in 2014, when the new Affordable Care Act individual mandate kicks in, Buendia has to find coverage before filing his taxes next year or face a $95 penalty.

Through the new healthcare exchanges created as a result of the ACA, a top-flight plan would cost Buendia $80 a month for coverage beginning Jan. 1.

Instead, he wants to join his wife’s plan available to her as a city of Houston employee.

That’s proven quality coverage, said his wife, Maria Buendia, a customer service rep I with Health and Human Services. Maria is also one of the “navigators” helping residents apply

See ACA on page 2

City health plan trumps ACACut through all the Affordable Care Act chatter – what does it meanfor city employees?

By Dave Schafer

for benefits through the healthcare marketplace. (See “Community navigators” box.)

Health Plan Q & APage 4

2 Winter 2013

ACA continued from page 1

Because he’s not sure if he can get coverage through the exchange for just four months, he’ll pay a one-time penalty in 2014 and then sign up for the city plan during open enrollment.

City coverage will offer him more protection than what’s mandated by the federal government. And that’s why the changing landscape is hardly affecting the city’s coverage for its employees, said Jocelyn Wright, Human Resources division manager for strategic benefits planning and design.

“The ACA isn’t really going to affect us,” she said. “We already provide a higher level of coverage than is required.”

Staying diligent about changesThe city medical plan covers around

55,000 people including spouses, dependents and retirees with about 19,000 employees. Some employees have coverage from other sources, such as the military or a spouse.

Because the law requires individuals to have coverage before the city’s next plan year begins, the city got proactive this year. Human Resources had a full benefits enrollment in the spring, requiring all eligible employees to enroll or decline medical insurance and other coverage. During next year’s open enrollment, eligible employees will automatically be enrolled in the city’s lowest-price medical plan unless they sign an opt-out waiver to comply with the ACA.

The IRS, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and Department of Labor are overseeing the ACA. With that many moving parts, administrative steps aren’t always lined up, so portions of the requirements are being delayed, Wright said. But some dates seem to be set in stone, including March 31, 2014, the final date to enroll in a marketplace plan to avoid a penalty. (For the few exceptions, go to healthcare.gov.)

The changing rules and dates mean that the city has to stay on top of the

act ’s changes and how they affect employers, Wright said. So the city put together a taskforce of HR, Legal, HAS, HITS and ARA representatives that meets once a month. The taskforce has presented information about the ACA to the City Council health benefits subcommittee, city senior leadership and Health Benefits Advisory Committee.

“You have to stay on top of this,” Wright said, “and we have. Very closely.”

Already an “affordable plan”One requirement of the ACA,

commonly called ObamaCare, is that employers with 50 or more employees provide an “affordable plan” to those employees. An affordable plan has a premium cost for the lowest-paid employees that is not more than 9.5 percent of their salary for single-person coverage. That formula doesn’t hold for plans that cover dependents and spouses.

The city already offers better rates

Benefits Pulse

Published by the city of Houston Human Resources Department 611 Walker, 4-AHouston, TX 77002 832-393-6100

Mayor Annise Parker

Director Omar C. Reid

Deputy Directors Ramiro Cano Jane Cheeks

Assistant Director Gerri Walker

Publications Manager Leslie Denton-Roach

Managing Editor David Smith

Reporters David SmithElise Rambaud Marrion

IllustratorPaul Beckman

DesignerHeidi Bane

hrenewsletter@houstontx.gov benefitspulse.org

CHAN

GES U

NDER

THE A

FFOR

DABL

E CAR

E ACT The ACA has forced some minor

changes in the city’s employee health insurance coverage:

1 New employees become eligible for coverage after just 30 days on the job, with coverage effective the 1st or the 15th of the month following those 30 days.

2 The city issued a lactation policy that requires supervisors to give breastfeeding moms the time and opportunity to pump breast milk during the day.

3 Dependents to age 26 are eligible for coverage regardless of college or marital status.

2

Do you have any benefits Q&As or ideas for stories? Email it to hrenewsletter@houstontx.gov.

Answers to the sudoku puzzle on page 7

3benefitspulse.org

NAVIGATORS FOR THE

COMMUNITY

than that, Wright said.And employees aren’t likely to find a

better rate on the exchange marketplace, she said. On average, the city picks

up 75 percent of the plan costs for employees. If an employee chooses private coverage, they’ll pay the entire plan cost.

Simple plan changes“We didn’t have to do a big

plan redesign like some companies did,” Wright said. In fact, the act only required three changes, which have already been implemented, and one change that is forthcoming.

In 2010, the city began covering dependents to age 26, regardless of college or marital status as a result of the ACA.

New employees are now eligible for benefits after 30 days employment. Until this year’s enrollment, that was 90 days.

And the city created a policy to ensure that supervisors give nursing mothers the time and opportunity to pump breast milk at work. That was already happening, Wright said, but they issued the policy to make the requirement official.

Other act requirements were already included in the city plans, such as free well-men and well-women exams.

In 2014, city plans to offer coverage to all employees who average 30 hours or more per week. Currently, only 40-hour-a-week employees and PT-30 employees are offered benefits.

“The city has always offered – and plans to continue offering – the best benefits that we can at an affordable rate,” Wright said.

Well-done wellness programsThe ACA focuses on wellness

programs to drive down healthcare costs. For the city, preventive benefits have been a priority for years.

Statistical data show that

The Affordable Care Act isn’t just affecting the coverage the city offers employees. The Health and Human Services Department is helping residents apply for benefits through the healthcare exchange, which offers insurance options that might save them money and offers insurance to previously uninsured and underinsured people, said Deborah Moore, bureau chief of the Harris County Area Agency on Aging.

“Implementation of the health insurance marketplace means that residents can compare health insurance options and select the one that best meets their and their family's needs,” she said. “It means that residents cannot be denied insurance due to pre-existing conditions.”

The department has assigned more than 50 navigators to provide outreach, education and enrollment assistance.

“During their regular work, many of them interact and provide services to consumers who will benefit from options provided through the marketplace. So it makes sense to certify department staff to provide these marketplace options,” Moore said.

The department received a grant to help cover additional costs, but the city is adding resources above grant funding, Moore said.

when people comply with wellness programs, chronic ailments are less likely to develop or progress, Wright said.

The city recently expanded the Employee Assistance Program to address stress, depression, mental health and more. The city gives wellness workshops to help people battle chronic diseases such as high blood pressure or diabetes, and it has a “fall education series” that covers a variety of topics, including weight loss and healthy eating, Wright said.

The city also provides free prescription medicine and testing strips for diabetics when they use mail order.

The Employee Wellness Advisory Committee spreads the program to the departments and encourages departments to hold wellness programs.

“We do whatever we can to help our employees stay healthy,” Wright said.

Buendia and Maria aren’t happy that he has to pay for coverage. But once he gets it, “I will make sure he gets his annual each year, because before a physical was expensive. With our insurance

it’s free and copayments are not expensive,”

Maria said.

4 Winter 2013

Questions & Answers

Healthy Eating

DirectionsIn a small pan, combine milk, pumpkin butter and sugar. Cook on medium heat, stirring, until boiling. Remove from heat, stir in vanilla. Using an immersion blender, blend until smooth (or whisk well with a wire whisk).

Pour into two mugs, add the hot espresso and top with fat free whipped cream and a dash of pumpkin pie spice on top.

Servings: 2 • Serving size: 1 latte • Calories: 115.6 • Fat: 0.4 g • Protein: 6.6 g • Carbohydrate: 20.8 g • Fiber: 0.7 g

Ingredients11/2 cup fat free milk2 tablespoons pumpkin butter1 teaspoon vanilla extract1/2 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice2 teaspoons sugar or sugar substitute (to taste) 1/4 cup espresso (or 1/2 cup strong brewed coffee) fat free whipped topping pumpkin pie spice for topping

This alternative recipe from skinnytaste.com takes a little more effort, but will be kinder on the wallet and waistline. As a bonus, this treat also includes a recipe for a quick pumpkin butter that can be used throughout the season on a variety of healthy snacks.

Pumpkin Spiced LatteSkinny Pumpkin Butter

Ingredients31/2 cups pumpkin puree, or 1 (29 oz. ) can (not pumpkin pie filling)2 teaspoons vanilla extract3/4 cup apple cider or juice1 cup packed brown sugar 2-3 cinnamon sticks1-2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice (to taste)

DirectionsCombine pureed pumpkin, vanilla, apple juice, spices, cinnamon sticks and sugar in a large saucepan; stir well. Bring mixture to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 30 to 40 minutes or until thickened. Stir frequently. Adjust spices to your taste. Makes 3 3/4 cups.

Servings: 30 • Serving size: 2 tbsp • Calories: 32 • Fat: 0.1 g • Protein: 0.5g • Carbohydrate: 9.5g • Fiber: 1.3g • Sugar: 8g • Sodium: 3.5g

Q My domestic partner and I were married in a state in which same-sex marriage is legal. I heard the Mayor say that legally married same-sex spouses are now eligible for benefits. How and when can I enroll?

A Employees who want to add their same-sex spouse to their medical, dental, vision and life insurance and increase their contribution to the Healthcare Flexible Spending Account may do so by Monday, December 23.

If you miss the December 23 deadline, you can: • Apply for medical insurance coverage at any time. Spousal coverage will be effective the 1st or 16th after a 90-day eligibility waiting period, or add your spouse during open enrollment in March 2014.• Add your spouse to your dental or vision insurance during open enrollment March 2014. • Apply for spousal life insurance during annual open enrollment

or any other time during the year. Coverage will become effective after the insurance company approves it. • Increase your HFSA during open enrollment in March 2014.

How to enroll:• Complete and submit the medical/dental/vision, life insurance or HFSA forms.• Include the SSN and date of birth information for your spouse on the form.• Submit a copy of your certified marriage cert i f icate. Cert i f ied marriage certificates from any state or country in which same-sex marriage is legal will be accepted. You can fax a copy to 832-393-7213.

Q I forgot to enroll in the vision plan during open enrollment. When can I enroll?

A Unfortunately, you can only sign up for vision benefits during open enrollment,

which will be from mid-March to mid-April. Benefits will be effective May 1.

Q I am having difficulty paying copayments for my diabetes medications, especially because I am taking three kinds of pills. So, to save money, I don’t always buy my medicines when I should. Does my Limited Network Plan offer any subsidy to assist with costs?

A Yes. Your medical plan now covers a 90-day supply of generic diabetes medications at 100%, when you use Cigna Home Delivery Pharmacy. Your medications will be delivered to your front door – free of charge to you. Call 1-800-285-4813 to make the switch.

This free benefit is also available to active and retired employees enrolled in the Open Access Plan, Consumer Driven Health Plan and the Retirees of Texas Plus Plan.

4

5benefitspulse.org

Employees’ sources of motivation are varied — lowering blood pressure, reducing blood sugar, losing weight, getting a better night’s sleep, training for athletic events, good-natured competitive spirit and saving money. Regardless of the reason, the result of the Improve! wellness campaign is that city of Houston employees are moving toward better health.

The proof is in the numbers — on your paycheck, that is. Employee participation in wellness programs helped the city to reduce medical plan contributions and copayments as of September. While this is certainly good news and a move in the right direction, there are still many employees who continue to pay more for their health insurance by not earning their wellness points.

Lisa Alford, an administrative specialist in HAS, has led an active life teaching dance, running charity races and chas ing af ter three l i t t le boys. Modest weight gain and increased blood pressure inspired her to refocus on her health and get back in shape. Now Alford works out twice a week at the Bush Inte rcont inenta l Ai r por t employee workout room plus at home on the weekends.

“The campaign has helped to remind me why I need to stay active and healthy. It gave a purpose to my workouts, especially on those days when I was less motivated,” Alford said.

Lisa Alford

In the video, Malcom “Mack” Eisenberg said he was improving to beat Human Resources Director Omar Reid’s racing time in the MS 150 bicycle race between Houston and Austin. Eisenberg, a HR manager, is still working on improving his time as he continues to train for his fourth MS 150. In addition to his workouts, Eisenberg is earning his wellness points by joining one of the Weight Watchers programs throughout the city.

“My goal is to become so healthy and live so long that I completely drain the city’s pension fund dry,” he joked.

Malcom Eisenberg

Improve! wellness campaign motivates employees toward better healthBy Elise Rambaud Marrion

Charlie Lee, a project manager for Solid Waste Management, said he is improving for his family. Lee is monitoring his weight and bloodsugar because he was approaching diabetic levels. Adopting a new no-starch diet and running with his adopted dog from BARC, Lee has lost 20 pounds since February.

“My blood sugar and blood pressure are improving, and my weight loss is encouraging,” Lee said. “As for setbacks, I had to place my exercise partner, an adopted dog from BARC, in obedience school, so I’m not as excited about daily exercise as I was.”

Charlie Lee

In the v ideo, Matthew DeLeon, a business development coordinator for the Office of Business Opportunity, said he was improving for the future. Already active before participating in the improve campaign DeLeon said he appreciates the different ways employees can earn their points.

“ T h e p ro g r a m r e a l l y encourages people to go to the doctor and find out if they have any health risks,” DeLeon said. “It helps employees to understand the benefits of preventative care for your future. Men, in particular, often have a mentality to walk it off or ignore warning signs of health risks.”

Matthew DeLeon

Wellness points are easy to earn. The biometric screening and online health assessment are the first steps in saving up to $300 on your medical insurance next year. Employees who collect 500 points by participating in qualifying wellness activities by March 31 will receive a discount on their medical plan contributions starting May 1, 2014. Use the results of your screening to complete your online health assessment by Dec. 31, which helps you earn half of the minimum 500 points.

Benefits Pulse checked in with a few of the stars of our “I’m Improving For …” video and other employees who volunteered to document their journey through the Wellness program.

6 Winter 2013

Retiree Health

6

By David Smith

T he key to triumphing over those forgetful senior moments may be found in 23 across.

OK, to be clear, doctors are not about to suggest that crossword puzzles cure all mental decline. But more and more, experts agree: brain games and all manner of intellectual stimulation can form a regimen of mental calisthenics that help people stay sharp as they age and stave off a gradual dulling of the mind.

Forgetting someone’s name or where you put your keys is not necessarily a

Workingon the

of memorymaintenance

As you age, brain games and intellectual stimulationare an important piece of mental fitness

PUZZLE

big deal. That happens to everyone. But growing older can involve an increasing amount of forgetfulness.

It doesn’t have to be that way, though. According to AARP, research indicates that mental and physical stimulation can slow or even prevent some memory loss commonly seen in the aging process.

Faye Rogers can attest to that. Formerly of Dallas, she continued to work past the earliest possible retirement age. Then seven years ago she moved to Houston to be near her

daughter, Kathryn Liberto, who works for Municipal Courts, and family.

For Rogers retirement is as active as her career.

“My sister says I didn’t picture retirement like this. If I had I might not have retired,” Rogers joked.

Playing mind gamesNow 76, her days involve looking

after great-grandchildren, cooking, even some laundry. But there is another constant in her life that goes back

7benefitspulse.org 7

I’ve just kept at it. I can sit there and do (crosswords) for hours. They have helped me. In my mind I don’t feel that old. I must be doing something right.” FAYE ROGERS

‘‘LIFT WEIGHTS — Any

exercise is good for mind and body, but weight lifting and resistance training may offer special benefits, according to at least a couple of studies on women.

LAUGH — No joke: Humor is healthy. A hearty laugh provides short but similar benefits of aerobic exercise for improved heart (and brain) health and immunity. Laughter also elevates the production of neurotransmitters linked to improved memory and alertness while decreasing stress hormones that can cloud thinking.

TAKE A NAP — In addition to improved daytime alertness, good sleep — night after night — helps keep memory and learning well-tuned. But a regular afternoon nap for about 90 minutes can produce measurable improvements in decision-making, problem-solving, creativity and even tasks like recalling directions.

Meditate — Studies find that daily meditation can strengthen connections between brain cells, increase growth in the part of the brain that controls memory and language, and may even bolster the ability to process information and make decisions more quickly. Most forms of meditation involve spending 15–60 minutes at least once a day.

decades — brain games.“I used to work for Motorola in the

semiconductor division. I’ve always been good with numbers,” Rogers said. “But I started working the word jumble in the Dallas Morning News back in the ‘80s. I’m a big fan of crosswords.”

After filling in the daily crossword in the Houston Chronicle, she can move on to other puzzle books she gets and work more crosswords. In fact, a new crossword book was a gift for her recent birthday.

Rogers also reads books, newspapers and periodicals and watches TV shows that involve word puzzles and quick-response knowledge, where viewers can answer before the studio contestants — Wheel of Fortune and Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, for example.

She also attributes her healthy longevity to genetics: quite a few of her relatives have lived well into their 80s. But the brain games and mental and physical activity are important to keeping her mind sharp.

“I’m blessed,” she said. “I’ve just kept at it. I can sit there and do (crosswords) for hours. They have helped me. In my mind I don’t feel that old. I must be doing something right. Somebody up there likes me.”

Variety is the spice of lifeRogers is not alone. Helen Beckman,

75, whose son, Paul, works for human resources, said mixing mental ly challenging activities with an social active life and physical exercise help keep her mind fit.

“I stay active, stay involved, read, do puzzles. You know, the usual stuff seniors do,” said Beckman, a Pearland resident. “I try to keep up with current events,

have conversations with interesting people, stay involved in the community, volunteer, try something new.”

She also finds that laughter and seeking variety in her relationships lift her mood and helps. That is consistent with what aging experts suggest. The National Institute on Aging lists depression as a factor in memory problems. Beckman avoids that by keeping a mental balance and finding the humor in life.

“I think if you get a belly laugh, it’s a good way to expel air from your lungs. It’s better than yelling,” Beckman said. “There’s always something to laugh at. Find humor in everyday life.

“And don’t just hang around with old people. That can be depressing. I try to hang around with multi-generational crowds,” she said.

Her religious faith is also a cornerstone.

“I am active in my church and am a believer. I think that helps, because then you don’t worry about things as much,” she said.

It’s never too lateAlthough Rogers’

a n d B e c k m a n ’ s healthful habits are deep-rooted, experts

say seniors can see positive results even if they are newcomers to mental activities.

A Harvard report found that it’s never too late to work on maintaining a sharp mind and preventing memory loss.

Additionally, Harvard experts say a unified regimen is best, with physical exercise an important part of the approach. Taking steps to promote good health can reduce illnesses that might affect memory, which in turn reduces the need for medications that may have damaging side effects, they reported.

BOOST BRAIN

Answers on page 2

8 Winter 2013

Just so You Know

Surface tension: We wipe down our kitchen and bathroom surfaces at home, but how clean do you keep your work space? If communal work refrigerators are any indication, employees could stand to adopt some tidier habits. Regularly wiping down frequently touched surfaces such as phones, keyboards, desks, Walkie Talkies, steering wheels and all shared work equipment can keep you healthy.

We’re all grownups here. We know we are supposed to wash our hands to prevent the spread of germs, but bacteria have a way of breeding in unexpected places especially on the job.

From driving vehicles and garbage collection to health services and animal control, city employees are helping Houstonians every day, and we simply don’t work in a germ-free vacuum. A few tips could help employees break the dirty work bad habits before cold and flu season gets in full swing.

Bad Habits Breed Bacteria

What’s in your cup of Joe?Whether you are grabbing a cup of coffee from the communal break room pot or brewing your own at home, be sure to clean the coffeemaker regularly. A National Science Foundation study found that coffeemakers commonly breed yeast, mold and

even coliform, t h e f e c a l b a c t e r i a that includes

E. coli.

Sterilize your mugs, bottles and cups: If your favorite cup is wearing yesterday’s lip shade or has been sitting on your desk or in your work vehicle for more than a day, take it home and sterilize it in the dishwasher. Don’t just rinse it in the sink. If the mug or bottle sits unwashed on your desk after being used, germs will start reproducing immediately and can remain for up to three days.

Badge of dishonor: That employee ID card that hangs from your neck or belt? Yeah, you wear that everywhere – on the bus, in the elevator, to lunch, even the restroom. Credit

cards are notorious germ carriers;

it stands to reason that

ID badges are guilty as well.

Pushing your buttons: It is common sense to wash your hands after touching elevator buttons, opening doors and using the restrooms, but don’t forget the printers and copiers, fridge and microwave doors, drinking fountains and vending machines. Aside from the health benefits of avoiding the calorie-laden treats in vending machines, employees should remember to wash their hands after using vending machines and before eating their snack.

Nature Calls: Keep your phone in your purse or pocket when you are in the restroom. Just like driving, that text can wait. Flushing the toilet can send a spray of microbes that can easily land on your phone, which you put next to your face. Likewise, using the phone without washing your hands is a dirty habit.

City of HoustonEmployee

9benefitspulse.org

Five mobile apps to improve your healthIn the digital age, we are increasingly becoming dependent on technology. Why not put those smart phone apps to good use? Here are five wellness apps employees can use to make better food choices, track physical activity, monitor health problems like diabetes and blood pressure, and find ways to get the most out of your city benefits.

Fooducate: Free on iOS and AndroidThis app uses a barcode

scanner to give your food a nutrition grade (A, B, C or D), explains what's really inside each product, and offers healthier alternatives. The app can tell the user whether the product contains ingredients to avoid like trans fats, artificial sweeteners, excessive sugars, additives and preservatives, and even if it is a genetically modified organism.

Couch to 5k Free on iOS and AndroidThis app is for people

who need a little more encouragement to get into an exercise routine. Couch to 5k provides step-by-step

workouts for 30 minutes a day, three days a week for eight weeks. Stick to the program and you could be comfortably running a 5k in less than three months. Participating in a 5K is yet another way to earn your wellness points.

MyCigna Mobile App: Free to members on iOS and AndroidE m p l o y e e s w h o

subscribe to Cigna health plan have access to this resource to help you find a doctor, dentist, health care facility, compare prescription drug costs, view your ID cards, review deductibles, account balances and claims.

H e a r t W i s e B l o o d Pressure Tracker: 99 cents from iTunes

The HeartWise Blood Pressure Tracker app allows the user to track systolic and diastolic blood pressure, resting heart rate (Pulse), and weight and calculates mean arterial pressure, pulse pressure, and body mass index.

G l u c o s e B u d d y - Diabetes Helper: Free on iOS and Android You’ll never forget to

take your blood sugar again with this helpful app. Glucose Buddy will give you constant reminders via push notifications. Plus, it will track your blood sugar levels, carb intake, medicine, A1C levels, and more.

Don't be the workplace flu bugIt’s the busiest time of year, and nobody wants to spend the holidays sick

in bed and nobody wants to be the one who gets the whole office sick. Employees are encouraged to get a flu shot to help stop spread of the flu virus. Even if you don't feel sick, it is possible to spread the virus to your family, friends and co-workers.

Limited Network KelseyCare Members:

- Make a nurse-only f lu vaccine appointment at a Kelsey-Seybold Clinic or get a flu shot at your regularly scheduled doctor’s appointment.

Renaissance IPA Members:- Contact your doctor

Open Access and CDHP members:

- Contact your doctor.

- Or, get a flu shot at HEB or CVS pharmacies. Members will have to pay out of pocket for the vaccine and file a claim for reimbursement.

“I get my flu shot every year because I probably shake hands with hundreds of people a week. It’s just as important to prevent the spread of the flu to other employees and the public as it is to protect yourself.”

- Mayor Annise Parker

10 Winter 2013

needed to make some major changes to improve her health, but the “Biggest Loser” contest kick-started her into action. She was finally fed up with all the medication, shortness of breath, stomach pain, and many other diabetes-related

complications.“You can’t just start

losing weight because someone says you need to. You just have to want it badly enough,” Turner says. “Making a game out of it really helped. If somebody thinks you

can’t do it, prove them wrong.”In addition to the encouragement and

friendly competitive spirit among her coworkers, Turner said her husband of 36 years and her 14-year-old grandson are her biggest cheerleaders. Turner has

adopted a strict new diet, practically eliminating carbohydrates (except for ¾ cup of Rice Krispies in the morning.) She walks three times a week and rides her bike, often with her grandson. She doesn’t even allow herself a day when she can cheat on her diet — not even when she was on vacation, though she still craves pasta.

Betty Turner has been living with diabetes for more than 20 years. Just six months ago, Turner

was taking 30 units of insulin three times a day to control her diabetes and experienced frequently debilitating health complications.

T h a t c h a n g e d when Turner, a senior regulatory investigator in Administration and Regulatory Affairs, lost 65 pounds in a weight-loss challenge among A R A e m p l o y e e s . Patterned after NBC’s “Biggest Loser” reality show, ARA held a competition to see who could lose the most weight between May and July.

After losing 100 pounds by December, Turner is now only taking insulin once or twice a week.

“Weight can be a touchy subject for people, so my co-workers didn’t want to ask me to participate in the contest at first,” Turner said. “I said, ‘Sure, count me in,’ and I beat everybody the three months we were competing.”

Tu r n e r , a c i t y employee for nearly 28 years, said she knew she

By Elise Rambaud Marrion

Making a game out of it really helped. If somebody thinks you can’t do it, prove them wrong.

-Betty Turner, ARA

“My husband has always been my supporter, and my grandson tells me, ‘I’m going to exercise and eat better with you, Nana, but I don’t like vegetables,’” Turner said.

Turner works in the field most days, enforcing ordinances and processing applications for permits. Her weight loss has given her more energy and her breathing has improved. Though she doesn’t see a significant difference in her appearance, she receives compliments and comments daily.

“My friends at church tease my husband by saying he has a new wife every week at church.”

Betty TurnerWELLNESS CHAMPION:

ARAs weight loss competition motivates Betty Turner to lose 100 pounds

Below: Betty Turner is pictured while on vacation in the early stages of her weight loss journey. Above: Turner is shown in early December after losing 100 pounds.

11benefitspulse.org

TURNS OUT YOUR INSURANCEDOESN’T COVER ANESTHESIA ...

SO WE’RE COUNTING ONTHIS LEFTOVER THANKSGIVING

DINNER TO KNOCK YOU OUT. FOOD RIGHTBEFORE MYSURGERY?

by Paul BeckmanDrawing Conclusions

HOLIDAY DINNER CALORIE BREAKDOWNHOW LONG IT

WILL TAKE TO BURN OFF DINNER

YOGA193

calories per hour

WALKING486

calories per hour (very brisk pace)

RUNNING518

calories per hour (14 min. mile)

PUSHUPS, SITUPS544

calories per hour (vigorous effort)

Need help managing holiday debt?

EAP can help with that.Debt and other financial woes are a major source of stress and work distraction. You are not alone. The average American owes

$15 , 158 in credit card debt. (Federal Reserve Sept. 2013)

The Employee Assistance Program can help provide resources and referrals to help you:

• Learn how to avoid debt collection scams. • Learn how to deal with debt collectors. • Learn how to find a reputable credit counselor.

Employee Assistance Program

Call 855-378-7485 or visit guidanceresources.com Web ID: HOUSTONEAP

Turkey 6 oz.(white & dark meat)

340Ham 6 oz.

300Green Bean

Casserole 1/2 cup

225

CranberrySauce 1/2 cup

190

Stuffing1/2 cup

180

CandiedYams 1/2 cup

150

MashedPotatoes 1/2 cup

150

Gravy 1/2 cup

150 110Roll 1 roll

100

Salad (with light dressing) 3 cups

451 pat of butter

Pumpkin Pie 1/8 of a 9in. pie

18050Eggnog 1 cup

Total Calories = 2,170

City of HoustonHuman Resources Department611 Walker, 4-AHouston, TX 77002

The city of Houston reserves the right to change, modify, increase or terminate any benefits.

City of Houston Benefits Division 832-393-6000 • 888-205-9266Cigna in city Benefits Division832-393-6191 • 832-393-6193 832-393-6192 • 832-393-6194Cigna 24/7 Customer Service800-997-1406 | mycigna.com

Aetna800-307-4830aetnamedicare.comKelseyCare Advantage866-534-0554kelseycareadvantage.comHealthSpring 800-846-2098texashealthspring.com

TexanPlus 866-556-4614Medicare supplement plan F800-392-7537uhc.comUnited MedicareRX888-556-6648

Medical and Dental Medicare Advantage PensionDeferred Compensation (Great West) 713-426-5588 Municipal Pension (Pension and DROP) 713-759-9275Fire Pension (Pension and DROP) 281-372-5100Police Pension (Pension and DROP) 713-869-8734

United Healthcare (Dental)866-605-2599DHMO: yourdentalplan.com/npdIndemnity: myuhcdental.com

Block Vision866-265-0517www.blockvision.com

Call Cigna Home Delivery Pharmacy NOW!1-800-285-4812 or www.myCigna.com

FREEDiabetic Medications and Supplies

DELIVERED

TO YOUR DOOR

Preferred Brand Diabetic test strips include: • AccuChek Aviva Plus System• AccuChek Nano SmartView System • OneTouch Ultra 2 System• OneTouch UltraMini System• OneTouch Verio IQ System

$0 for a 90-day supply of your generic diabetic medications. $0 Blood Glucose Meters (AccuChek or One Touch Ultra)

$0 Preferred Brand Diabetic test strips

for the city of Houston medical plan members