October 9, 2003

Benefits Fair is Oct. 14

The ninth annual Health and Benefits Fair Tuesday (Oct. 14) will provide faculty, staff, students and alumni with a forum to learn about health plan options — including premium rates, co-payments, coverage changes and a new HMO, Aetna HMO — and other benefit plan options.

The event will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Louis Room of Norris University Center and surrounding area.

The fair should be especially helpful for health plan members who must select a new health plan and physician for 2004 as a result of changing HMO and physician relationships.

Participants will have the opportunity to obtain informational materials and speak with health care, insurance and investment company experts who can outline their benefit programs, answer questions, and highlight specific options.

The fair also will provide the opportunity to learn about other benefit plan options provided by the University.

More than 50 groups will be involved this year. The array of topics, screenings and information will range from heart, stroke, cancer, diabetes, exercise/fitness, and personal training to exercise equipment, sports medicine, nutrition and healthy cooking.

Information also will be available on smoking, HIV/ AIDS, childcare, child health/ fitness, senior health/fitness, eldercare, dental health, cholesterol, weight management, stress and relaxation, mental health/ depression and women’s health.

Other topics will be sexual assault/violence prevention, marital/family therapy, back care, health and safety, CPR, arthritis, alcohol and drug use, spiritual wellness, youth education, adult education, communication disorders, and travel.

The workshop “Getting through life one laugh at a time: the value of humor in healthy living,” noon to 12:30 p.m., will be presented by Jeff Blaine of Perspectives, Inc. (Perspectives, Inc. provides confidential evaluations, counseling and referral services at no charge as part of the Faculty and Staff Assistance Program.)

JoEllen Kaufman of the American Cancer Society will present the “Healthy, quick meals for busy lifestyles” workshop, 12:30 to 1 p.m. “Maximizing your prescription benefit: how to be an enlightened consumer of pharmaceutical care,” noon to 1 p.m., will be presented by Walgreens Health Initiatives.

A raffle will be held at the conclusion of the fair. Winners will be notified.