New Items and Upcoming Events

-The State Employee Health Commission announces a series of educational meetings to outline the upcoming changes to the State of Maine Point of Service group health plan effective July 1, 2012.

**Meeting Registration Link**

Benefit Meeting Handouts

-The State Employee Health Commission has awarded the contract to administer the group health plan to Aetna. This change will take effect July 1, 2012. Click here for a copy of the announcement to members. (*Please note, this does not affect State of Maine retirees who qualify for Medicare.) Aetna Member Services is now open to answer your questions: 1-855-850-0039 (Monday-Friday 8am-6pm).

-The State Employee Health Commission announces a new voluntary prescription drug program that is now available to members of the Point of Service (in-State) and out-of-State PPO group health insurance plans sponsored by the State of Maine. Enrolled members of these health plans include State of Maine employees, ancillary employees, non-Medicare retirees and all covered dependents. For more information about the new MaineMeds program please visit www.mainemeds.com.

-National Infant Immunization Week (NIIW) is an annual observance to highlight the importance of protecting infants from vaccine-preventable diseases. This year, NIIW is scheduled to be held April 21-28. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has updated their immunization guide for parents of children through age 6. For more information about infant immunizations, visit www.cdc.gov/vaccines.

-State Employee Health Commission: Next meeting will be held on 5/10/2012.

-Deferred Compensation Advisory Council: Next meeting will be held on 9/20/2012.

Other items of interest:

-Preferred Hospital List effective March 26, 2012 The new list effective July 1, 2012 will be available soon....

-Participating Walk-In Clinics - updated January, 2012

-Considering retiring from the State of Maine? Check out our newly revised Pre-Retirement Guide

-GetBetterMaine.org - your link to the Maine doctor and hospital ratings. A physician practice is considered preferred if they rate Good, Better or Best in at least two categories. (The hospital ratings are informational and cannot be used to determine preferred status.)

-The State of Maine Wellness Centers have a new website! www.wellnessworksme.org. Also check out the State of Maine Gym Program.

-Join the Diabetes Self-Management Program and save money at the pharmacy too! First-time enrollees may enroll in the basic program. Graduates of the basic program may now enroll in the TDES2 program. For more information, go to the TDES home page or contact Phonse Allen-Laney at Medical Care Development by e-mail or (207)622-7566, ext. 252. (all inquiries are confidential.)

-Get on the pathway to better health! The Maine Aligning Forces for Quality ("AF4Q") effort has just launched Twitter and Facebook pages to help Maine people manage and prevent chronic disease.

*Please note: the Workers' Compensation section of this site is currently under construction. Questions may be directed to 287-6655.

Frank A. Johnson, Executive Director
#114 State House Station
220 Capitol Street
Augusta, ME  04333-0114
(207)287-6780

Contact Us if you have any questions about our benefit programs or if you need to follow up on an application you submitted. Forgot an item at a recent meeting? Contact Heather Sargent for Lost and Found.

EMPLOYEE HEALTH COMMISSION: 2012 Meeting Schedule.