The following employees attended SMU & YOU on May 16, 2012. During this session, which is an element of the Total Orientation Process, new employees learn about the culture, values and spirit of the SMU community and explore how their work supports the mission of the University.
From left to right:
Seated: Julia Davila, Kelly Baxter, Mayra Moss, Erin Crosby
Standing: Art Endress, Chris James, John Roeder, Julie Furnival, Nyoka Flotz, Bob Palcic, Jessee Hunt, Creston Lynch
Are you stressed out? Are you willing to try something new that may improve your stress level and overall wellbeing?
Southern Methodist University is recruiting women ages 25-45 to participate in a study examining effects of hot yoga on stress and psychological wellbeing. You may be eligible to participate if you do not currently practice yoga or exercise regularly.
What will you get out of this treatment study?
If you think you might be interested in taking part in this treatment study, take the screening survey below or contact the SMU Yoga for Stress & Wellness Study by emailing yogastudy@smu.edu or calling 214-768-4877. You are also welcome to visit the website. Choose “Yoga for Stress” from the “Services” drop-down menu.
Take the screening survey for the Yoga for Stress & Wellness Study at SMU:
When: May 14, 2012
Time: 8:00 am to 4:00 pm
Where: East Campus Parking Lot (Just east of Expressway Tower)
Pre-register by calling 214-645-2560 or Toll Free 1-866-277-0710
A generator issue on the mobile unit caused several appointments to be cancelled on April 26, so we’re bringing the unit back on Monday, May 14, to complete those screenings and to provide another opportunity for others to participate.
MAMMOGRAPHY BENEFIT COVERAGE FOR SMU STAFF/FACULTY
As a benefit to employees covered by the SMU Health and Wellness medical plan administered by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX), SMU will cover all routine annual mammogram charges for women age 40 and above. Have your insurance information available when you call. BCBSTX will process the claim and SMU will pay it at 100%. If you participate in insurance plans outside of SMU, please inquire about other billing arrangements when you pre-register.
You may use this benefit with your own physician or medical provider in the community, so if you prefer to make an appointment elsewhere, please do!
WELLPOWER CREDITS
Don’t forget you may enter 1 Body credit for this screening. You may also enter 1 Body credit each for a full physical, dental exam, eye exam, gynecological checkup, and for getting your flu shot.
GUIDELINES FOR MAMMOGRAM SCREENING
If it has been a year or more since your last mammogram, please call to schedule your appointment.
INFORMATION YOU WILL NEED WHEN YOU CALL TO PRE-REGISTER
Please bring your ID and your insurance card to your appointment.
214-645-2560 or toll free 866-277-0710
The following employees attended SMU & YOU on April 24, 2012. In the session, which is an element of the Total Orientation Process for new employees, they learned about the culture, values and spirit of the SMU community.
From left to right: Jeffrey Herman, Ada Negraru, Collette Parker, Ashley Sirkel and Guy Rogers
Yup, it looks like rain! But we won’t let a little rain dampen our spirits! We’ve moved today’s Wellpower Walk to the track at Dedman Center. Meet in the lobby by noon and we’ll walk the track together.
A Dedman Center membership IS REQUIRED to use the track. Be sure to bring your SMU ID card with you and go early if you’d like to sign up for a membership today.
Participants are welcome to walk for a bit and then attend the groundbreaking for the new Residential Commons. The groundbreaking will take place on Doak Walker Plaza just outside of Dedman Center. Participants not attending the ceremony are welcome to continue walking.
If you plan to drive to Dedman, go early! Both Moody and Binkley garages may be full with visitors for the Residential Commons ceremony. You may still want to take an umbrella for the short walk to Dedman Center.
Date: April 20, 2012
Questions? Email us at wellpower@smu.edu
More Information About Compass!
As announced in a BenefitsU email on March 27, SMU is partnering with Compass Professional Health Services to provide a service that will enable you to identify high-quality doctors, hospitals, imaging centers, etc., and make choices that can significantly reduce your expenses.
This service is paid by SMU at no cost to you. Your health information will not be shared with BCBSTX, your doctor, or anyone else – without your personal consent. Your health information will never be shared with SMU.
Compass Webinars
The employee meetings scheduled for April 9 and 16 are now completely booked so we have made arrangements for two one-hour interactive webinars.
The webinars will be held on Tuesday, April 17 at 9.30 a.m. and Friday, April 20 at 2.00 p.m. You will have an opportunity to ask any questions you may have. Click one of the links below to access the dial-in instructions for your webinar.
Dial-in instructions for the webinar on Tuesday, April 17 at 9:30am
Dial-in instructions for the webinar on Friday, April 20 at 2:00pm
Note: HR received several calls from employees who missed the March 27 Benefits U email announcement, and were concerned when they received an email yesterday from a Compass Health Pro, Jeremy Garrett. This email is legitimate!
When: April 26, 2012
Time: 8:00 am to 6:00 pm
Where: East Campus Parking Lot
(Just east of Expressway Tower)
Pre-register by calling 214-645-2560 or Toll Free 1-866-277-0710
MAMMOGRAPHY BENEFIT COVERAGE FOR SMU STAFF/FACULTY
As an added benefit to employees covered by the SMU Health and Wellness medical plan administered by Blue Cross Blue Shield of Texas (BCBSTX), SMU will cover all routine annual mammogram charges for women age 40 and above. Have your insurance information available when you call. BCBSTX will process the claim and SMU will pay it at 100%.
You may use this benefit with your own physician or medical provider in the community, so if you prefer to make an appointment elsewhere, please do!
If you participate in insurance plans outside of SMU, please inquire about other billing arrangements when you pre-register.
WELLPOWER CREDITS
Don’t forget you may enter 1 Body credit for this screening. You may also enter 1 Body credit each for a full physical, dental exam, eye exam, gynecological checkup, and for getting your flu shot.
GUIDELINES FOR MAMMOGRAM SCREENING
• The mobile unit is designed for routine screening only. If you have any known breast problems, please consult your physician.
• Screening is recommended for women age 40 and older. Check out the BCBSTX preventive care guidelines for more information.
• Most insurance plans, including Medicare, cover the cost of screening once a year.
If it has been a year or more since your last mammogram, please call to schedule your appointment.
INFORMATION YOU WILL NEED WHEN YOU CALL TO PRE-REGISTER
• Personal information (age, date of birth, Social Security number, etc.)
• Insurance information; if you are covered by your spouse’s plan, they will also need your spouse’s name, date of birth, and social security number
• Doctor’s name, address, phone number - if you want a report sent to your doctor
• Emergency contact name and phone number
• When and where you had your last mammogram
• Please let them know if you have had breast augmentation
Please bring your ID and your insurance card to your appointment.
214-645-2560 or toll free 866-277-0710
Did you know that the cost of medical services can vary by as much as 300%, even within the BCBSTX network? For example, one in-network facility might charge $500 for a CT scan and another facility might charge $1,500. These cost variances also apply to surgical, anesthesia, and hospital room & board charges.
With that in mind, the SMU Department of Human Resources is partnering with Compass Professional Health Services, to provide a service that will enable you to identify high-quality doctors, hospitals, imaging centers, etc., and make choices that can significantly reduce your out-of-pocket expenses.
Compass services will be available April 1, 2011 to faculty and staff enrolled in one of SMU’s BCBSTX medical options. This service is paid by SMU, at no cost to you.
Compass provides unbiased guidance because they are not affiliated with any insurance company, doctor’s office, or hospital. Your health information will never be shared with SMU, your insurance company, your doctor, or anyone else — without your personal consent.
For more information, watch for an information packet to arrive at your home address on or before April 1, 2012.
RSVP for an on-campus Employee Meeting to learn more about the service and how to access it.
Are you or a family member a tuition benefits recipient? If so, the upcoming deadlines are very important for processing future tuition benefits requests.
Request Deadline Terms
March 26, 2012 May Term 2012 (Counseling/Dispute Resolution Program)
April 30, 2012 Summer Term 2012
June 25, 2012 Academic Year 2012-2013 (Fall 2012 – Summer 2013)
These dates have been set to help enable the processing of tuition benefits requests before the Bursar’s payment deadlines. You can view your requests for May or Summer terms at Access.SMU > Self-Service > Benefits > Tuition Benefits Requests > Review Summary.
Reminder: The academic year 2012-2013 is comprised of the following terms: Fall 2012, Jan Term 2013, Spring 2013, May Term 2013, and Summer Term 2013.
If you have any changes to a prior request, send your change of hours to tuitionbenefits@smu.edu and include your SMU ID number in the subject line.
Did you know that you can get a free membership? SMU’s Employee Assistance Program is providing a one-year AARP Membership to you at no cost!
SMU is committed to offering you benefits that promote health, wellness, and financial security. Now, we are pleased to offer you a special offer – a one-year AARP membership at no cost through SMU’s Employee Assistance Program administered by Magellan Health Services. Not yet 50? You may share this gift with a friend or family member who is!
AARP is the nation’s leading organization for people age 50 and older. AARP membership gives you access to a wealth of valuable benefits designed to help you live your best life.
It includes:
• Trusted information and resources, like AARP The Magazine
• Everyday discounts on travel, hearing, entertainment, vision care, dining, and more
• Tools to help with everything from finances to healthy living
• Volunteer opportunities in your community
Already an AARP member? Registration extends your membership for an additional year.
Not 50 years old yet? AARP’s sign-up page allows you to pass-along a one-year membership to someone you know aged 50+.
We encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity. There is no cost to you, and no obligation to continue your membership once your complimentary year of membership expires.
To get started, log on to www.MagellanHealth.com/member and access the AARP link on the Welcome Page.
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