Carolina Wellness Matters: Pets can improve owners’ health and well-being
State Health Plan enrollment ends March 30
Deadline approaches to file flexible spending claim forms

Chancellor’s award nominations open
Star Heels

Pets can improve owners’ health and well-being

For many of us, our family pets are important — even essential — to our lives. The American Veterinary Medical Association says approximately 60 percent of all households in the United States have a pet. Of those, about 65 percent of pet owners acquire their pets free or at a low cost. These furry or feathered family members provide unconditional love and companionship. 

Many studies have been done to prove the varied health benefits of pet ownership, including: 

  Pet owners have lower blood pressure and cholesterol;

  Pet owners feel less afraid of being a victim of crime when walking or sharing a residence with a dog;

  Pet owners have fewer minor health problems and better psychological well-being;

  Pets decrease feeling of loneliness and isolation;

  Seniors who own dogs go to the doctor less; and

  Animal therapy can reduce the loneliness of residents in long-term care facilities.

The Humane Society of the United States (www.hsus.org) works to promote the protection of animals. There is a wealth of information about pets on their website. It includes general pet-care tips, information on the importance of spaying or neutering, finding a local animal adoption center or coping with the death of an animal companion.

The American Society for the Protection of Cruelty to Animals (www.aspca.org) also provides a variety of online resources. This site has a variety of information on pet care and adoption, as well as volunteer opportunities and a counselor to help pet owners with the loss of a pet.

If you and your animal companion are ready to join a national network of volunteers and their pets who visit hospitals, nursing homes, rehabilitation centers and schools, visit the Delta Society (www.deltasociety.org). Their mission is to improve human health through service and therapy animals.

If your animal companion is a cat or dog, you may be interested in finding out more information about the Menu Foods precautionary recall of dog and cat food manufactured between Dec. 3, 2006 and March 6. To find out more or to see if your pet’s food is affected, check the recall website (www.menufoods.com/recall).

State Health Plan enrollment ends March 30

The enrollment period for the State Health Plan’s health insurance options continues through 5 p.m. on March 30. This enrollment period includes both the Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) and Comprehensive Major Medical (CMM), or indemnity, plans.

For questions on the PPO, call State Health Plan customer service (888-234-2416). For questions on the CMM, call State Health Plan customer service (800-422-4658). For questions on the enrollment period, contact your HR facilitator or your HR generalist.

What do I need to do?
If you do nothing, you will remain in your current plan.

If you want to make any changes in your coverage or update your personal information (for example, your address) complete the Annual Enrollment Change form located in your enrollment kit (also available at statehealthplan.state.nc.us/annual_enrollment.html).

Return the completed change form to Benefit Program Administration, CB# 1045 or Suite 1700 in the Administrative Office Building, by 5 p.m. on March 30. Lines 1, 2 and 14 on the change form are required in order to process your changes. Any changes you make during annual enrollment will become effective
on July 1.

What are the rates for the 2007-08 benefit year?
The rates for the 2007-08 benefit year have not been established and will be determined during this year’s legislative session. Based on the market trends, it is likely that all plan options will experience a rate increase. The potential rate increase should not change the premium structure between plans. Therefore, the 70/30 PPO plan will still most likely have the lowest premium for dependent coverage, and the 90/10 PPO plan will most likely have the highest premium for dependent coverage. Unfortunately, the actual rates and benefits for both the PPO and Indemnity plans will not be made available until after annual enrollment. If there is a rate change, the State Health Plan will evaluate the rates when they are approved by the legislature.

Deadline approaches to file flexible spending claim forms

March 31 is the deadline for filing reimbursement claims on the NCFlex Health Care Flexible Spending Account and the NCFlex Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account for expenses that were incurred on or before Dec. 31, 2006.

Claims must be received by Aon Consulting no later than March 31.

After March 31, employees will not be able to claim any of the remaining monies in their year 2006 flex account(s).

Download the claim form (www.osp.state.nc.us/ncflex/Forms/ClaimForm_2a.pdf) or request a copy from Benefit Program Administration. Mail or fax claims forms directly to: Aon Consulting, Flex Administration - #00001, P.O. Box 3002, Arlington Heights, IL 60006-3002.

Note that the mailing address for claims forms has changed and this is the only acceptable address to avoid processing delays.

Fax claim forms to Aon Consulting (866-887-3212). If you fax a claim form, save the fax confirmation statements and call Aon the next day (877-371-2926) to ensure your fax was received. Keep a copy of all submitted claims for your records.

Contact your HR Generalist if you have questions.

Chancellor’s award nominations open

Nominations are now being accepted for the 2007 Chancellor’s Award for Excellence.

In 1991, the University established the Chancellor’s Awards Program, which celebrates meritorious or distinguished accomplishments made by University employees. The five nominees chosen as 2007 Chancellor’s Award recipients will be honored at a recognition luncheon with the chancellor in the fall. Each will receive a monetary award of $1,000 and a special leave award of 24 hours.

The awards are based on accomplishments “clearly above and beyond that which would be expected from dedicated employees who are fully and competently discharging all of the duties and satisfying all of the requirements of their jobs” while a University employee. The award categories are: outstanding state government service, innovation(s), public service, safety/heroism, human relations and other achievements.

Any permanent employee may nominate a University employee (including retired and deceased employees) for the Chancellor’s Award. Nomination forms will be mailed via campus mail to all University employees. Forms are also available online at https://hr.unc.edu/employees/spa-employees/recognition/chancellorsaward. The nomination deadline is April 20. Return completed nomination materials to Employee Services, CB# 1045.

Barry Womble
Housekeeping Services

Barry Womble does an excellent job of keeping things orderly, neat and prepared for the students and faculty of UNC. He has been performing the duties of housekeeper in a most impressive manner for all of his seven years at the University.

In nomination materials for Womble’s recent Star Heel Award, the chair of the pharmacology department, Gary L. Johnson, said, “In my four years as chair, he has by far and away been the best housekeeper we’ve had on the floor.  He works very hard to clean, is very experienced and respectful of everyone.”

“Barry is always a pleasure to be around,” another customer wrote. “He has a good and pleasant disposition and furthermore seems to have an honest concern to do a good job and to maintain his high standards.  I know that the housekeepers’ duties are usually considered invisible ones, but it is very noticeable when things are awry and I feel that Barry helps keep this from becoming a problem.  His work helps us work to the best of our ability.”

Womble’s dedication, hard work and positive attitude do not go unnoticed. We [at Human Resources] thank Barry Womble for his years of contributions and congratulate him on being a Star Heel at Carolina.