Benefits Bulletin

Love Yourself: Get Heart Healthy

Information provided by the American Heart Association and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

About half of all Americans (47%) have at least one of the three key risk factors for heart disease: high blood pressure, high cholesterol and smoking. Some risk factors for heart disease cannot be controlled, such as your age or family history. But you can take steps, especially during American Heart Month, to lower your risk by changing the factors you can control.

Common conditions that increase the risk of heart disease:

• High blood pressure (also known as hypertension)

is often called a “silent killer” because it usually has no symptoms. The only way to know whether you have high blood pressure is to measure your blood pressure. Learn more at https://www.cdc.gov/ bloodpressure/measure.htm.

You can lower your blood pressure with lifestyle changes or medicine to reduce your risk of heart disease and heart attack. When left untreated, the damage that high blood pressure does to your circulatory system is a significant contributing factor to heart attack, stroke and other health threats. Visit https://www.heart.org/en/health-topics for more information.

• Unhealthy blood cholesterol levels. Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance made by the liver or found in certain foods. Your liver makes enough for your body's needs, but we often get more cholesterol from the foods we eat. There are two main types of blood cholesterol: LDL (low-density lipoprotein) cholesterol, which is considered to be “bad” cholesterol because it can cause plaque buildup in your arteries, and HDL (highdensity lipoprotein) cholesterol, which is considered to be “good” cholesterol because higher levels provide some protection against heart disease. High cholesterol usually has no signs or symptoms. The only way to know whether you have high cholesterol is to check your cholesterol. Your primary care physician can do a simple blood test, called a “lipid profile,” to measure your cholesterol levels. Visit https://my.cigna.com to find a provider in your area.

• Diabetes Mellitus (Type 2 Diabetes). Diabetes causes sugar to build up in the blood. The risk of death from heart disease for adults with diabetes is higher than for adults who do not have diabetes. Talk with your doctor about ways to prevent or manage diabetes and control other risk factors.

• Obesity. Obesity is excess body fat. Obesity is linked to higher “bad” cholesterol, triglyceride levels and lower “good” cholesterol levels. Obesity can lead to high blood pressure, diabetes and heart disease. Talk with your health care team about a plan to reduce your weight to a healthy level.

Know the Signs of Heart Attack, Stroke and Cardiac Arrest

Heart Attack Symptoms

• Chest discomfort. Most heart attacks involve discomfort in the center of the chest that lasts more than a few minutes or that goes away and comes back. It can feel like uncomfortable pressure, squeezing, fullness or pain.

• Discomfort in other areas of the upper extremity.

Symptoms can include pain or discomfort in one or both arms, the back, neck, jaw or stomach.

• Shortness of breath with or without chest discomfort.

• Other signs may include breaking out in a cold sweat, nausea or lightheadedness.

Stroke Symptoms

Spot a stroke F.A.S.T.

• Face drooping. Does one side of the face droop or is it numb? Ask the person to smile.

• Arm weakness. Is one arm weak or numb? Ask the person to raise both arms. Does one arm drift downward?

• Speech difficulty. Is one's speech slurred, unable to speak, or is s/he hard to understand? Ask the person to repeat a simple sentence, like “the sky is blue.” Is the sentence repeated correctly?

• TIME TO CALL 911. If the person shows any of these symptoms, even if the symptoms go away, call 911 and get s/he to the hospital immediately.

Cardiac Arrest Symptoms

• Sudden loss of responsiveness. No response to tapping on shoulders.

• No normal breathing. The person does not take a normal breath when you tilt his/her head up and check for at least five seconds.

*Content is meant for informational purposes only. Concerns related to your health should be discussed with a medical provider. In case of emergencies, call 911 or go to an emergency room.

Good sleep isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity.

The OCPS Employee Wellness Program and Cigna are excited to present a FREE, virtual course provided by AdventHealth - The Rest of Your Life. You will learn about the latest in sleep science and behavioral change techniques. This program offers practical, evidence-based solutions to the pressing problem of sleep deprivation and teaches participants how to end exhaustion, enhance energy and sleep smarter. You will be provided with dozens of strategies to combat common sleep thieves and help you create a personal action plan to take control of your rest.

Employees who register for The Rest of Your Life will have the option to participate in the live class or watch the on-demand replay. The live course will be offered on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 3:30 p.m. beginning Feb. 15 and will run through March 10. Each course will last approximately 30 minutes. By participating, you will be able to engage in lesson activities and conversations.

The on-demand replay will be available within 48 hours of the scheduled class, and a web link will be emailed to those who are registered. Registered OCPS employees will be automatically entered into The Rest of Your Life – Employee Wellness Program drawing with prizes awarded at the end of the program.

To register, go to https://orangepeal.pub/RestofLifeForm. For questions, email wellness@ocps.net.

Find Help for Chronic Conditions

Even when you are doing well on your own, there are times when you may need extra help with a chronic condition. OCPS Cigna plan members have access to support from health advocates provided through Cigna.

Your health advocate can assist you with:

• Managing your chronic condition. • Making educated decisions about your health and treatment options. • Saving money on medically related expenses. • Understanding medication and doctor's orders. • Identifying triggers that affect your condition. • And more.

To have a confidential, one-on-one conversation, call 855.246.1873. Or, visit https://my.cigna.com for information and self-help resources.

Opt-in to access IRS Form 1095-C

OCPS provides health care coverage to all benefited employees who meet the IRS definition of minimum essential coverage. As required by the IRS, OCPS provides Form 1095-C to all employees enrolled in the medical plan.

Employees may use the information on Form 1095-C to help complete 2021 tax returns regarding health care coverage. However, employees do not need the form to complete their 2021 tax returns.

For more information, please visit the IRS's ACA website at https://www.irs.gov/Affordable-Care-Act/ Individuals-and-Families.

Why choose an online form?

9 Earlier access. You'll be able to view and print your form as soon as it's processed electronically. No waiting for envelope stuffing or mailing.

9 Access when and where you need it. Visit the myOCPS portal when you're ready.

9 It's more secure. Online delivery eliminates the chance that your Form 1095-C will get lost, misdirected or delayed during delivery.

How do I elect to receive my form online?

1. Login to myOCPS at https://sapportal.ocps.net/. 2. Select the Employee Self-Service tab. 3. Select Benefits. 4. Select 1095 Consent for Electronic Delivery. 5. Click GRANT CONSENT.

All employees will receive notification when the online Form 1095-C has been processed and is ready to view online. If you do not elect to receive your form online, a paper form will be printed and mailed to the address on file by March 2. If you need to update your address, please visit the myOCPS portal at https://sapportal. ocps.net/.

Benefit Advocate Center is Here for You!

OCPS and Gallagher Benefit Services are pleased to introduce the Benefit Advocate Center, available to assist employees and family members covered by one of the OCPS medical plans with pharmacy questions. Maximize your pharmacy benefit with a team of licensed health care advocates available Monday-Friday, from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. EST. Benefit advocates can help you:

• Find a covered medication and the cost. • Find an in-network pharmacy. • Explain coverage information.

Covered OCPS members can call 833.416.5130 or email bac.ocps@ajg.com for assistance. Emails are sent to a secure database, and replies are encrypted.

It's Time to Get Active!

In March, The OCPS Employee Wellness Program sponsors its annual Get Active event. The purpose of Get Active is to encourage everyone – employees and students – to do some form of physical activity for at least 15 minutes.

Work locations in the district join in this lighthearted competition to see who has the greatest participation and most innovating event. Contact your worksite wellness representative to find out if your school or location is participating. “Walking is the best possible exercise. Habituate yourself to walk very far.” – Thomas Jefferson

This is what Avalon Elementary's dynamic walking duo did in 2021. Patrick Hernan, first grade teacher, and Cathy Stallings, media specialist, walked an impressive 4,502 combined miles last year.

You may ask yourself, how did they accomplish such an amazing feat? Hernan and Stallings have a history of motivating each other by participating in various 5k races. In 2021 they decided to expand on their fitness endeavors with the challenge of walking a combined 2,021 miles over the year.

When asked what they had discovered by completing their challenge, Hernan said, “that you can achieve a goal as long as you set your mind to it. 2,021 miles seems like a long distance, but by walking each day, you gain that confidence that it can be reached!”

Stallings learned that she “had to make a commitment to walk. Some days were harder than others, but having someone to motivate me kept me going.”

With 2022 just beginning, the walking duo has set its sights on walking – you guessed it: 2,022 miles.

If you would like to nominate a co-worker as a Healthy Hero, please email wellness@ocps.net with the candidate’s name, location and why they deserve the title.

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.

Upcoming Virtual Workshops via WebEx:

Feb. 9, 5-6:30 p.m.

Social Security Planning

https://orangepeal.pub/FebSocialSecurity

Feb. 16, 5-6:30 p.m.

Estate Planning for Busy People!

https://orangepeal.pub/FebEstatePlanning

Feb. 23, 5-6:30 p.m.

Medicare Planning - Choose Wisely!

https://orangepeal.pub/FebMedicarePlan

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