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During Open Enrollment, you can make changes to your benefit elections and add or remove eligible dependents, with most changes going into effect on January 1 of the following year. With this year’s Open Enrollment period fast approaching, you may be reevaluating your current medical plan. Keep reading to learn about GW’s medical plans and identify what questions to ask when deciding which plan to choose.

GW offers two medical plan options: GW Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) and GW Health Savings Plan (HSP). Both plans share the UnitedHealthcare (UHC) Choice Plus network, featuring more than 911,000 doctors and health professionals, 5,647 hospitals and over 2,220 convenience care centers.

Both the GW PPO and the GW HSP allow you to visit your doctor of choice, with no requirements for selecting a Primary Care Physician to coordinate your care and no need to obtain referrals for specialty care. Both plans cover in- and out-of-network services (you pay less out-of-pocket for services received in-network), and include 100 percent coverage for in-network preventive care. Take a closer look at services provided under the GW PPO and GW HSP with this medical comparison chart (PDF).

There are a couple of things to keep in mind when examining the two medical plans. Each plan has its limits, meaning that not everything will be covered. Carefully review the Summaries of Benefits and Coverage (SBCs) and Summary Plan Descriptions (SPDs) for both plans at benefits.gwu.edu/medical-benefits to understand what’s covered (and what’s not) under both plans. Moreover, while premiums may be lower for the GW HSP, your annual deductible and out-of-pocket maximum will be higher:

Deductibles (In-Network)

• GW HSP: $2,000 (individual) and $4,000 (family)
• GW PPO: $750 (individual) and $1,500 (family)

Out-of-Pocket Maximums (In-Network)

• GW HSP: $4,000 (individual) and $7,900 (family)
• GW PPO: $3,000 (individual) and $6,000 (family)

You’ll want think about what you prefer. For example, would you prefer to pay less per paycheck but pay more out-of-pocket initially (your deductible for medical and prescription under the HSP), or pay more per paycheck and less out-of-pocket initially (under the PPO)? Remember, under both plans, you’ll pay less if you use providers that belong to the plan’s network.  Tip: Check out this health costs worksheet (PDF) to compare your coverage options and estimate your potential costs.

In addition, depending on which plan you choose, you may be eligible to open a Health Care Flexible Spending Account (FSA) or a Health Savings Account (HSA).

FSAs and HSAs

The Health Care FSA and HSA allow you to set aside money from your paychecks on a pre-tax basis to pay for eligible out-of-pocket expenses. You are only eligible to participate in the HSA if you are covered under a high deductible health plan, such as the GW HSP. In contrast, you do not need to be covered under a GW health plan in order to elect the Health Care FSA.

Other major differences between the Health Care FSA and the HSA include the following:

• GW makes a matching contribution to your HSA (but not to your Health Care FSA). If you have individual HSP coverage, GW will match your HSA contribution on a dollar-for-dollar basis up to $600; if you have family HSP coverage, GW will match your HSA contribution on a dollar-for-dollar basis up to $1,200.
• FSAs are “use to or lose it,” meaning that you forfeit any unused balance at the end of the plan year, and you must re-enroll in the FSA each year. In contrast, HSA contributions will roll over from year to year and accumulate.
• HSA contribution amounts can be changed at any point throughout the year, while FSA contribution amounts can only be changed during Open Enrollment or if you experience a Qualified Life Event (QLE).

When choosing your medical plan for 2019, take into consideration whether the Health Care FSA or the HSA would be a good fit for you and your family. Learn more about the difference between the FSA and HSA.

Upcoming Seminars: How to Pick a Medical Plan

Hosted by UHC, the How to Pick a Medical Plan seminars will provide an overview of the university’s medical plans, including a comparison of the GW PPO and GW HSP. Understand your medical options and choose the best plan for you and your family this Open Enrollment season. Seminars will be held both in-person at Foggy Bottom and virtually, and will include a Q&A portion. Light refreshments will be served at the in-person sessions.

• Foggy Bottom Campus (Marvin Center 307)
  August 22, 2018 |  Noon – 1 p.m.
  September 25, 2018  |  Noon – 1 p.m.
• Virtual (via WebEx)
  August 23, 2018 |  Noon – 1 p.m.
  September 26, 2018  |  Noon – 1 p.m.

WebEx details for virtual sessions are available at benefits.gwu.edu/events.

Employees, with the help of their supervisors, are responsible for reporting and managing their paid time off and leave. Take the time to review and understand GW’s paid time off and leave policies, including the concept of accrual rates and the effect of unpaid leave on accruals.

Prorated Accrual of Annual Time

Normally, annual time, or paid time off, is accrued on the basis of a full calendar month of employment and credited on the last working day of the month.

There are a few reasons why the accrual of annual time for a month may be prorated, such as:

• If a new employee begins work following the first workday of the month
• During a period of unpaid absence, such as leave taken under the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA) or personal leave

The chart below details the proration of annual time during a month in which unpaid leave is taken:

Prorated Accrual of Sick Time

Sick time begins to accrue following an employee’s first working day of the month and is credited at the end of each month. Similar to annual time, sick time may be prorated based on employment start date or due to periods of unpaid absence.

The chart below details the proration of sick time during a month in which unpaid leave is taken:

Paid Status

Employees who remain in paid status while taking leave accrue annual and sick time at their normal rates. Pay types that fall into this category include those paid through GW payroll, such as GW Paid Short-Term Disability, Staff Paid Parental Leave, annual time, sick time, jury duty, bereavement time, voting time and holiday pay. The following categories are paid by outside vendors and are not considered paid status for accrual purposes: worker’s compensation, Voluntary Short-Term Disability and Long-Term Disability.

Borrowing Annual or Sick Time

If you borrow annual time before you have accrued it, and end your employment with the university, an amount equal to the borrowed time will be deducted from your final paycheck. Sick time cannot be used prior to its actual accrual.

Important: If you or your employees need to take unpaid leave, you should notify GW Benefits ahead of the date you or the employee will transition to unpaid status. Failure to do so may negatively affect your or your employee’s benefits and/or pay.

For questions regarding paid time off or leave, please contact GW Benefits at (571) 553-8382 or benefits@gwu.edu.

When planning your next vacation, consider taking a break from the constant flurry of text messages, emails, online shopping and web surfing with a digital detox.

In our digital age, it can be difficult to break from our favorite gadgets, but if you find yourself compulsively checking your devices and substituting online interactions for real-life ones, you may have a digital dependency.

Signs of a digital dependency include:

• Spending more time online than originally intended
• Hiding, lying or becoming defensive about online activities
• Feeling euphoric while online, and feeling restless, moody or nervous while offline
• Frequently choosing to spend time online in lieu of interacting with people in real life
• Fearing that you’re missing something when offline
• Allowing your online use to interfere with your job, social life or responsibilities
• Facing complaints from friends and family about your persistent online activities

Even if you don’t display any signs of a digital dependency, you can still benefit from a break from your screens. Divorce your devices for a few days while on vacation, or consider making small adjustments to your daily tech use with the following tips:

• Disconnect from all devices completely for a set block of time each day
• Avoid checking your phone immediately after the ping of a text or notification
• Silence your phone during meals and outings, especially when in the presence of friends or family
• Avoid taking your phone to bed or using it as an alarm clock

Are you up for the challenge? Consider taking your first step with Mute, the phone use-tracking equivalent of a Fitbit. Keep tabs on your daily screen time and how frequently you check your phone, and find ways to reclaim time from your phone each week.

If you think you may have a digital dependency, consider using a support service. GW employees and their families have access to the Wellbeing Hotline, which includes up to five free counseling sessions per person, per issue, per year with licensed network professionals. UnitedHealthcare members can take advantage of Telemental Health (PDF), which provides private mental health appointments through secure, video-calling technology.

According to the American Cancer Society, skin cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the United States. The risk of skin cancer and other health problems, including cataracts and premature wrinkles, increases with just a few serious sunburns. Protect yourself and your family this summer with these sun-safe tips.

1. Apply and reapply

Sunscreen protects your skin from the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays by absorbing, reflecting or scattering sunlight. The sun protection factor (SPF) rates a sunscreen’s effectiveness in providing defense against UV rays. The Mayo Clinic recommends applying a broad spectrum sunscreen (broad spectrum sunscreens protect against both UVA and UVB rays) with at least SPF 15 before heading outdoors, even on cool or slightly cloudy days. If you remain outside for an extended period of time, remember to reapply sunscreen every two hours, especially if you are swimming or sweating. Finally, keep an eye on your product’s expiration date – while most sunscreens have a shelf life of no more than three years, exposure to high temperatures can shorten the product’s shelf life.

2. Cover up

If possible, wear long pants or skirts, long-sleeve shirts and hats with wide brims. The SPF rating of a typical t-shirt is less than 15, and this value decreases when clothing is wet. Shield your eyes with sunglasses, particularly those that wrap around and block 99 to 100 percent of UVA and UVB rays. Tip: Check out the American Optometric Association’s sunglasses shopping guide for help finding protective sunglasses.

3. Find shade

Limit exposure to the sun as much as possible. Seek shade under an umbrella, tree or other shelter, particularly during the peak hours of 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. when UV radiation is at its strongest, according to the World Health Organization. Even when you are in the shade, continue to protect your skin by using sunscreen or wearing protective clothing.

4. Pay attention

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the sun’s UV rays can damage unprotected skin in as little as 15 minutes, but you may not notice the full effect of the damage for several hours. Pay close attention to your skin for signs of turning slightly pink, and head inside if it does. Examine your skin regularly for new markings – such as moles, bumps, color changes and scaly spots – and keep an eye on moles for changes in color, size, shape or texture. Tip: Some health care providers include skin exams as part of annual wellness exams. Remember, preventive care is 100 percent covered by the GW Health Savings Plan (HSP) and the GW PPO.

5. Stay hydrated

Up to 60 percent of the human body is water, and proper hydration is critical to our health. Water helps the body regulate temperature, lubricate and cushion joints, carry waste and protect your spinal cord and other sensitive tissues. Heat and increased activity levels require a greater water intake, so make sure to drink plenty of water when you spend time outdoors. You can also stay hydrated by consuming foods with higher water content, such as cucumbers, tomatoes, watermelon and strawberries.

Each June, Men’s Health Month seeks to raise awareness of preventable health issues and encourage early detection and treatment of disease among men and boys. In line with this vision, we’ve put together five tips to improve men’s health.

1. See your doctor

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, men are less likely than women to visit the doctor and have a life expectancy of approximately five years less (PDF) than women. Preventive care screenings are crucial to helping you gage your current health status and identify any health issues before they become more serious. GW employees covered by a university medical plan receive preventive care services at no cost if the services are received in-network. Read the full preventive care guidelines for children and adults (PDF).

Need help finding a doctor? Castlight helps you find doctors and compare them by cost and quality, and is free for GW employees and their spouses and adult dependents enrolled in a university medical plan.

2. Vary your workouts

Try a mix of aerobics, strength training and stretching to keep your body guessing. GW offers free group exercise classes for faculty and staff, as well as fitness discounts. Consider biking as an alternative means of getting around the city, since GW employees can enjoy a significant Capital Bikeshare discount.

3. Focus on nutrition

Practice healthy eating habits by focusing on both the quantity and quality of your food. Control portion sizes and take advantage of healthy substitutions. For instance, substitute margarine and butter with heart-healthy olive oil, swap out simple carbohydrates for complex ones and choose low-sodium products over originals. Read 10 Secrets to Making Recipes Healthier.

4. Prioritize sleep

Aim for at least seven hours of sleep each night to improve productivity, boost energy, encourage healthy eating and reduce the risk of chronic health problems.

5. Check your head

Mental health is just as important as physical health. Learn to recognize signs and symptoms of mental health concerns, identify if you are drinking too much and find out if you have a family history of mental illness.

Telemental Health (PDF) is available through your UHC Medical Benefit, offering private mental health appointments with a network of over 3,000 providers in all 50 states – all from the comfort of home.

Recent reports of several high-profile celebrity suicides could lead to an increase in suicide and suicidal behaviors in the United States. The phenomenon is real, and it’s called suicide contagion. What is known about suicide contagion, and what can be done to prevent it?

Systematic scientific investigations on suicide contagion, or copycat suicide, were spearheaded by David Phillips in the 1970s. The largest copycat effect found was for Marilyn Monroe. When Monroe died in August 1962, with the cause listed as probable suicide, the nation reacted with grief, extensive media coverage and a wave of suicides; according to one study, suicide rates in the U.S. spiked by 12 percent compared to previous years during the month of her suicide.

Following the suicide of Robin Williams in August 2014, suicide rates in the U.S. rose by nearly 10 percent in the four months that followed.

“When I heard about Bourdain, I was sad for him and for all the people who were going to hear about it, and I am also sad for people who might be influenced by it,” said Madelyn Gould, a professor of epidemiology in child psychiatry at Columbia University, referring to the recent death of celebrity chef and travel documentarian Anthony Bourdain.

But what can be done about suicide contagion?

“Following exposure to suicide or suicidal behaviors within one’s family or peer group, suicide risk can be minimized by having family members, friends, peers, and colleagues of the victim evaluated by a mental health professional,” announced the Department of Health and Human Services. “Persons deemed at risk for suicide should then be referred for additional mental health services.”

Where and How to Get Help

If you feel that you are in immediate danger of hurting yourself or others, please call 911 or your local emergency services immediately. Other resources include your health care professional or the National Suicide Prevention Hotline at (800) 273-TALK (8255).

GW employees and their families also have access to a number of support services, including the Wellbeing Hotline, which includes up to five free counseling sessions per person, per issue, per year with licensed network professionals. Counseling sessions are available in-person, by phone or via televideo.

In addition, UnitedHealthcare (UHC) recently introduced Telemental Health (PDF), which offers private mental health appointments from the comfort of home and features a network of over 3,000 Telemental Health providers in all 50 states. The service uses secure, video-calling technology to provide real-time access to a behavioral health professional, with no travel and less wait time for appointments.

• You can reduce your wait time for mental health appointments (in-person or virtual) with Express Access. When selecting a provider from UHC’s online directory, choose a provider with a stopwatch icon next to his or her name if you need an appointment quickly; the stopwatch icon indicates to members and care advocates that the provider has agreed to offer an appointment within five business days of the request.

A wealth of mental health resources is available to you and your loved ones online at www.liveandworkwell.com, including a Mental Health Center, a Suicide Prevention Center and a Coping Center.

Moreover, UHC is offering a free emotional Public Help Line that provides access to specially-trained mental health specialists. The Public Health Line’s toll-free number is (866) 342-6892, and is available 24/7 to anyone who may be in need of help.

Read UHC’s Mental Health Support: Suicide Prevention pamphlet (PDF).

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has recently announced a surge in vectorborne diseases in the United States. From 2004 to 2016, diseases spread by mosquito, flea and tick bites tripled, with Lyme disease accounting for 82 percent of cumulative reported tickborne diseases.

“Each year, more than 30,000 cases of Lyme disease are reported nationwide, while studies suggest the actual number of people diagnosed with Lyme disease is more likely about 300,000,” the CDC announced.

Lyme disease is an infection caused by bacteria called Borrelia burgdorferi. The disease is transmitted to humans through the bite of infected blacklegged ticks (or deer ticks), which must generally be attached for 36 to 48 hours before they can transmit the Lyme disease bacterium.

The risk of exposure to ticks is greatest in the woods, where they populate the leaf litter on the forest floor and the tips of grasses and shrubs. Ticks may also be carried by animals (such as deer) onto lawns and gardens, as well as into homes by pets.

Learn how to protect yourself from Lyme disease this summer with these tips

Avoid tick-infested areas, especially during the months of May, June and July. Certain states have areas where infected ticks are common.

Use insect repellant that contains 20 percent or more DEET, picaridin or IR3535 on exposed skin. Clothing (as well as tents and some camping gear) may be treated with permethrin. Many natural products may also be used to repel or kill ticks.

Perform tick checks after being outdoors, including in your yard. Removing a tick quickly (within 24 hours), greatly reduces your chances of getting Lyme disease. Remove attached ticks using fine-point tweezers and cleanse the area with an antiseptic. When performing a tick check, always check under the armpits, in the hair, behind the knees and in the groin area.

Create a tick-safe zone through landscaping to make your yard less attractive to ticks.

Bathe or shower as soon as possible after coming indoors (preferably within two hours) to rinse off any ticks that may be crawling on your skin.

Tumble dry clothing in a hot dryer for 10 minutes after coming indoors to kill any ticks that may be attached to clothing.

Learn more about preventing tick bites.

Early signs and symptoms of Lyme disease

Early Lyme disease (days to weeks) is usually marked by one or more of the following symptoms:

• Erythema migrans (bull’s eye) skin rash
• Fatigue
• Chills and fever
• Headache
• Muscle and joint pain
• Swollen lymph nodes

Treatment

Several antibiotics are effective for treating Lyme disease, and patients treated in the early stages of infection usually experience rapid and complete recovery. Timing is crucial in the treatment of Lyme disease. If you recently visited a place likely to have ticks and you develop symptoms of Lyme disease, reach out to your physician immediately.

If seeing your primary care physician is not possible, consider using Virtual Visits or visiting an urgent care center to receive lower out-of-pocket cost medical care than you would at the emergency room. Use Castlight* to compare prices and read patient reviews for doctors and medical services.

Learn more about Lyme disease, and how to prevent it, with this handy brochure created by the CDC.

*Free for GW employees and their spouses and adult dependents covered under a university medical plan.

We don’t live in a perfect world. In life, we can experience many ups and downs, which affect our mood and energy levels. It’s important to recognize when challenges begin to interfere with your daily life and prevent you from enjoying it.

Recognize the symptoms

Signs and symptoms of mental health concerns vary depending on the affliction, circumstances and other factors. According to the Mayo Clinic, some indicators to look out for include:

• Feelings of sadness
• Mental confusion or difficulty concentrating
• Excessive fears or worries, or extreme feelings of guilt
• Extreme mood changes of highs and lows
• Withdrawal from relationships and activities
• Unusual tiredness, low energy or difficulty sleeping
• Detachment from reality (delusions), paranoia or hallucinations
• Inability to cope with daily issues or stress
• Difficulty understanding and relating to situations and to people
• Abuse of drugs or alcohol
• Significant changes in eating habits, such as eating much more or less than usual
• Changes in sex drive
• Excessive anger, hostility or violent behavior
• Thoughts of suicide

Symptoms of a mental health disorder can sometimes manifest themselves physically, such through stomach or back pain, headaches or other unexpected aches and pains.

When to see a professional

Most mental health disorders do not improve on their own. Left untreated, mental illness can progressively worsen over time. If the symptoms listed above sound familiar, you should consider seeing your primary care provider or a mental health specialist.

Did You Know? Telemental Health is available through your UHC Medical Benefit

Telemental Health offers private appointments from the comfort of home, and features a network of over 3,000 Telemental Health providers in all 50 states. The service uses secure, video-calling technology to provide real-time access to a behavioral health professional, with no travel and less wait time for appointments.

To learn more or to schedule a Telemental Health visit, log in to your myuhc.com account. From the home page, click on “Find a Doctor,” then select “Behavioral Health Directory.” Select “People” and then “Provider Type.” Scroll down to the bottom of the page and select “Telemental Health Providers.”

Tip: Reduce your wait time for mental health appointments (in-person or virtual) with Express Access. When selecting a provider from UHC’s online directory, choose a provider with a stopwatch icon next to his/her name if you need an appointment quickly; the stopwatch icon indicates to members and care advocates that the provider has agreed to offer an appointment within five business days of the request.

Even if you go in-network, prices for imaging and lab work can vary. Often, this cost disparity is not linked to significant differences in quality.

When you need outpatient care such as lab tests, radiology services, outpatient procedures or other services, consider using a UHC freestanding network facility (also referred to as GW’s preferred network). Freestanding facilities perform outpatient services and submit claims separately from any hospital affiliation, and may be a lower cost option – both in terms of coinsurance as well as the cost of the medical service.

When you visit a GW-preferred network for labs, x-rays and major diagnostics, you will pay 20 percent coinsurance (after your deductible) under the GW PPO or GW HSP plans. In contrast, visiting a facility that isn’t in the preferred network will cost you 40 percent coinsurance (after your deductible) under both health plans. And remember, LabCorp is GW’s preferred vendor for lab work.

So now that you’ve resolved to utilize freestanding facilities for lab tests, radiology or outpatient surgery outside of your doctor’s office, what next? Below are a few example questions you can ask your doctor’s office:

• Do you know the cost of the tests you are ordering?
• Is the provider or laboratory in my insurance’s network?
• Since my share of the cost is less for services performed in a freestanding facility that is not connected to a hospital, can the test or service be performed at a freestanding facility?
• Can you recommend a freestanding facility in the UnitedHealthcare network?

You can also do a quick search for a freestanding network facility through Castlight. When you search for an outpatient center or laboratory on Castlight, be sure to choose a facility that is marked “Freestanding Facility” to help reduce your out-of-pocket costs.

When it comes to choosing a facility for outpatient care, stay informed of your available options. Doing so can help save you money.

In today’s fast-paced society, it can sometimes be difficult to slow down, even if you’re not feeling well. A recent study found that 69 percent of working Americans choose not to take sick days because they don’t want to miss a day of work, even if they’re actually sick. The study also found that 62 percent of working Americans have gone to work sick, and 60 percent of those surveyed witnessed a coworker sneeze without using a tissue.¹

These numbers are dangerous, especially in light of the most recent flu season, which is expected to exhibit a late-season bump due to increasing numbers of people being infected with a secondary strain of the respiratory virus.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that, if you’re sick, you should stay home, rest and remember to:

• Cover your coughs and sneezes with a tissue or your sleeve.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water.
• Clean frequently-touched surfaces and objects.

UHC member? See a doctor from the convenience of your computer or mobile device with UHC’s Virtual Visits, available 24/7 (no appointment necessary). Get care in 20 minutes or less for cold/flu, sore throat, fever, pinkeye, bronchitis, sinus problems, stomachache and more! Learn more about Virtual Visits.

And don’t forget – GW regular staff employees (full-time and part-time) accrue paid sick time, which may be used for absences due to illness or medical treatment, or medical care of yourself or a family member. (Faculty and medical residents can refer to their applicable manual/handbook for additional paid time off details.)

1. Wakefield Research conducted a survey between January 22nd and February 2nd, 2015, among 1,000 U.S. nationally representative adults aged 18 and older. The margin of error at the 95 percent confidence level is +/- 3.1 percentage points. Survey sponsored by the makers of PURELL Hand Sanitizer.

March is National Nutrition Month^®. Now is the opportune time to reevaluate and clean up our diets to achieve the numerous benefits of healthy eating.

This year’s theme, “Go Further with Food,” goes beyond emphasizing the nutritional benefits of healthy eating. The campaign’s second focus is the reduction of food loss, which may be achieved through the management of food resources at home.

By making informed food choices, we can develop sound eating and physical activity habits and cut down on food waste.

Steps to Saving Nutrients (and Money):

1. Incorporate a healthy sampling of nutritious foods from all the food groups on a regular basis.

2. Consider the foods that you already have on hand before purchasing more to limit food waste.

3. Purchase food in limited quantities – generally, enough to be eaten or frozen within a few days. Plan to use leftovers later in the week.

4. Keep an eye on portion sizes, which have grown dramatically in the past several years. Quiz yourself on Portion Distortion to see how today’s portions compare to those available 20 years ago.

5. Practice good food safety practices in every step of food preparation.

6. Discover physical activities that you enjoy, and try to be active most days of the week. Mix it up! Try a free group exercise class, such as yoga, HIIT or functional training. If you prefer the gym, be sure to check out GW’s faculty/staff fitness discounts.

7. Consider consulting with a registered dietitian nutritionist for easy-to-follow, personalized nutrition advice that agrees with your lifestyle, preferences and health needs.

UPCOMING EVENT: Staying Healthy with the Season – Spring Reset

March 19, 2018  |  12 p.m. – 1 p.m.  |  Marvin Center 307

You’ve heard about eating seasonally, but what does it really mean? What are the benefits to your health, the planet and your wallet? As we prepare for spring, learn what foods we should incorporate into our diets to reap nature’s rewards. Join renowned cooking consultant and chef Debbie Amster for an eye-opening journey through nutrition and mindful eating.