AEE PEBB Introduction and Update
- Ann Rittenhouse

Hello AEE members! I wanted to take this opportunity to introduce myself as the PEBB insurance representative and give you an update on important wellness programs and facts.

Nearly 50,000 state employees receive health benefits through PEBB. As one of the largest employers in Oregon, state governments recognize that employers can provide a workplace environment supportive of healthy options that helps reduce chronic conditions. On January 25th 2017, Governor Kate Brown signed Executive Order 17-01, State Agency Employee Wellness. The purpose of this order is to promote supportive workplace structures, systems, and policies that support employee health and wellness. Key elements of the Executive Order include:

PEBB Wellness Manager

  • Facilitate and staff the statewide Coordinating Council created under the Executive Order

  • Assist with the development and implementation of the worksite wellness communications plan

  • Provide training and technical assistance on evidence-based worksite wellness to state agencies and other PEBB-covered groups

Coordinating Council

  • Includes agency leaders, PEBB, OHA Public Health, DAS, Governor’s Office, and representatives from the state’s two largest unions and another smaller union

  • Provide guidance to state agencies, PEBB, and Governor’s Office on worksite wellness

  • Develop and implement a worksite wellness communications plan that addresses the primary drivers of increased health care costs

State Agency Wellness Plans

  • Develop 2-year agency wellness plans consistent with guidelines developed by the Coordinating Council and Wellness Manager

  • The wellness plans will describe objectives and activities to address improving employee health

  • Agencies will measure and report progress on their wellness plans

At this point, we’ve all selected our insurance plans for the 2017 enrollment year. Here’s what’s new:

Medical

  • Outpatient visits to in-network providers for mental health services have no deductible

  • Kaiser has a $50 copayment for Specialty Drugs.

Dental

  • ODS (Moda) plans cover Athletic Mouth Guards and Night Bite Guards

  • Kaiser Dental has a $5 copay for visits for non-preventive services and covers Athletic Mouth Guards

  • Willamette Dental covers Night Bite Guards

Vision

  • If you chose the VSP Plus plan, you will get better coverage for frames, coatings and progressive lenses.

HEM and Wellness programs

  • Overall, members participating in HEM had lower per member cost (inpatient costs and total costs)

  • Flu shots can be counted as a healthy action

Helpful links and online resources: