WINTER 2019

City of Albuquerque

Human Resources

Article Topics:

Express Scripts

Unique Services Reimbursement

Delta Dental

New Year’s Resolutions

Upcoming BetterHealth Programs

Davis Vision

Upcoming Events

CABQ Insurance & Benefits ·BRINGING BENEFITS TO YOU·

NEW LOCAL OPTIONS FOR 90 DAY SUPPLY OF

MAINTENANCE MEDICATIONS

The City of Albuquerque is excited to announce the addition of 10

local pharmacies to the Smart90 Custom Network effective

December 1, 2019. Under the Smart90 program, you can get up to

a three-month supply and you could save money. Use home

delivery from the Express Scripts Pharmacy OR a retail pharmacy

in the Smart90 network to get those medications you take on an

ongoing basis. Two ways to get savings:

The Express Scripts Pharmacy-home delivery with free stand-ard shipping OR

A retail pharmacy in the Smart90 Custom Network (including those listed below).

Duran Central Pharmacy 1815 Central NW Highland Pharmacy 717 Encino Pl NE Best Buy Drugs 1445 Wyoming Blvd NE Menaul Compounding 11417 Menual NE ABQ Best Care 2901 Transport NE Medicine Chest 1123 Candelar ia NW Victors Regent 1643 Isleta Blvd SW Sam’s Regent 7120 Wyoming NE Phil’s Pharmacy 5510 Lomas NE John’s Pharmacy 9134 Central SE

As a reminder, all maintenance medications are required to be

filled as a 90-day prescription. To avoid paying more than you

need to for your medicine, you’ll need to get your prescription in 3

month supplies from Express Scripts Home Delivery or the Smart

90 Custom Network.

Snowy Albuquerque.

Unique Services Reimbursement Program

If you are enrolled in the Active or Independent Plan you have

the ability to reimburse out-of-pocket expenses for you and your

dependents enrolled on your plan.

On the Active Plan, you can receive up to a $150 reimbursement

per family per calendar year under the Unique Services Reim-

bursement Program for the following:

Routine vision care, exams, glasses and contact lenses

Birth control pills

Ambulance copays

LASIK surgery

Copays for x-rays, MRIs, and other scans

Smoking cessation services

Sterilization services

Weight loss programs*

Gym membership fees*

Vitamins*

Dental treatments (cosmetic services are not reimbursable)*

On the Independent Plan, you can receive up to a $250 reim-

bursement per family per calendar year under the Unique Ser-

vices Reimbursement Program for the above-listed, in addition

to the following:

Prescription drug costs

Diagnostic devices*

Alternative therapies

Hearing aids

Routine vision care, exams, glasses and contact lenses

Disease management classes*

Dental treatments* (cosmetic services are not reimbursable)

*You must submit a note or prescription from your provider

with your Unique Services Reimbursement Form.

For more information regarding Unique Reimbursement Services, please visit:

http://www.cabq.gov/humanresources/documents/USRPReimbursementForm.pdf

or

https://www.phs.org/health-plans/employer-plans/Pages/city-of-albuquerque.aspx?vu=CABQ

Xylitol Explained

Everyone has bacteria in their mouth. The sugars and starches in the foods you eat feed the bacteria, allowing them to produce acids that attack tooth enamel. The breakdown of the enamel can lead to tooth decay and cavi-ties.

The good news is that researchers have found that xylitol can make it harder for bacteria to adhere to the teeth. Xylitol is a naturally occurring sweetener that is used in place of sugar. It is just as sweet as sugar but contains 33 percent fewer calories. It can be used in preparation of diabetic meals, by those sensitive to sugar and by people interested in reducing their added sugar in-take. The sweeteners in xylitol interfere with the growth of bacteria and reduce the acids—therefore, protecting your teeth.

Researchers conducted a study with three groups of people to find out how xylitol works:

The first group chewed a standard sor-bitol-sweetened gum.

The second group chewed no gum.

And the third group chewed a xylitol sweetened gum.

After three months, the group who had chewed the xylitol-sweetened gum had the least amount of bacteria in their mouths.

Most stores now offer gums with xylitol, but they’re most often combined with other sweeteners. These gums still provide bene-fits, but experts say it’s best to chew gum with xylitol as the only sweetener.

www.deltadentalnm.com

Interactive Voice Response (IVR)

(505)855-7111

(877)395-9420

customerservice @deltadentalnm.com

1) Eat Healthier Eat 5 servings of fruits and vegetables a day Say no to sugary drinks like soda and juice Increase your fiber intake (fruits, vegetables,

beans, whole wheat flour) 2) Exercise More

Walk or run 10,000 steps a day Aim for 30 minutes of moderate physical

activity every day (walking, jogging, biking, etc.) This can be broken down into incre-ments (example: 3, 10 minute walks)

Add strength training to your routine at least 1 time a week for 30 minutes

Add a stretching routine 3 times a week

3) Stress Less Make sleep a priority and try and add 1 hour a

night to your sleep schedule Make a goal to read 1 book a month Spend more time with friends and family Get organized-whether it’s your desk, your

kitchen or your schedule

4) Save Money Track your spending and build a budget on a

free financial tracking app (Mint, Daily Budg-et, etc.)

Pack your lunch 4 days a week (also helps with eating healthier)

Try and pick a different plan to lower your bills (cable, cell phone, energy, etc.)

Upcoming BetterHealth Programs:

1) Good Measures Healthy Weight

Program *Space is Limited*

Included: Access to a registered die-

tician coach, smart app, online group

classes, Bluetooth scale and mini

challenges with prizes

Sign-up here *City of Albuquerque

employees only*

2) 28-Day Heart Health Step Challenge

Connect your FitBit or other smart

device and compete as teams of 4

and/or as an individual

Goal is 10,000 steps per day! Must

complete 50% of goal to receive

prize

Sign-up here

3) New Decade, New You Tobacco

Cessation Program

Enroll through Quit For Life

Prizes for registering for the pro-

gram and completing 5 calls with a

Coach

*Registration for all programs open

through January 30, 2020

Examples of Resolutions:

Upcoming Events

2019 Pre-Retirement Seminar—December 19, 2019 South Broadway Cultural Center, 8:30AM-12:00PM

Christmas Day—Wednesday, December 25

New Years Day—Wednesday, January 1

2020 Pre– Retirement Seminar—February 11, 2020 Manzano Mesa Multicultural Center, 8:30AM-12:00PM

Good Measures Healthy Weight Program-February 1

28 Day Heart Health Step Challenge-February 1

New Decade, New You Tobacco Cessation Program-February 1

Five Ways to Reduce Eyestrain at Your Desk

Statista Research Department forecasts that, by 2020, there will be 6.58 devices per person around the world.

Here in the U.S., industry insiders show that Americans currently have 8 networked devices per person, a num-

ber that is expected to grow to 13.6 by 2022.1 Whether you are talking about a cell phone, tablet, reader, com-

puter, smart TV, or efficiency they provide is inarguable, these perks often come with a price – eyestrain.

The Vision Council reports that 80 percent of Americans report using at least one device for more than two

hours a day, with 67 percent acknowledging that they often use more than two devices at a time.2 And, not

surprisingly, 59 percent suffer from digital eyestrain.

Eyestrain is marked by dry, tired eyes and blurry vision. One of the main reasons for this is, oddly enough, a

lack of blinking. Normally, the average person blinks 15 times or more per minute, which keeps your eyes lu-

bricated and reduces irritants. However, research shows that when you look at a screen, you blink half as often,

resulting in less lubrication and more irritation. Add to this the glare of the screen, the blue light emission, the

poor contrast between text and background image or color, and/or flickering and it’s no wonder that your eyes

pay the price. Fortunately, there are several things you can do reduce device-related eyestrain, particularly at

the office.

1) The 20/20 rule: This solution is quite simple. Every 20 minutes, focus on something at least 20 feet away

for at least 20-30 seconds. This will give your eyes a chance to relax and reduce fatigue.

2) Adjust screen settings: You can also make a few changes to your actual screen to reduce strain. Make

sure the brightness is neither too bright nor too gray. It should be subtle, not a light source. Additionally,

adjust the color temperature of the screen. Blue light can induce strain, so lower the amount of blue, aim-

ing for more in the orange or yellow realm.

3) Computerize your glasses: If you wear eyeglasses, talk to your eye care professional about modifying for

device use. If you wear progressives, consider switching to single vision lenses for close reading. You can

also ask for a blue light coating to ease strain from the blue light emission. And if you normally wear con-

tacts, consider glasses instead, as your contacts can become dry and irritated with extended device use.

4) Customize your work area: The positioning of both your chair and computer screen can impact the com-

fort of your head and neck as well as your eye. Be sure your chair height is such that feet rest comfortably

on the floor. Adjust your computer screen to be 20-24 inches away from your eyes and the center of the

screen 10-15 degrees below your eyes for ideal comfort.

By following these simple tips, you can enjoy your devices AND protect you vision.

CONTACT US

Human Resources Department

Insurance & Benefits Division

400 Marquette NW

Albuquerque, NM 87103

City Hall 7th Floor Room 702

(505) 768-3758

employeebenefits@cabq.gov