University Times

Wellness through the Eyes of Davis Vision

The University has placed an emphasis on wellness and preventive services available at no cost through the health insurance program. Likewise, members should consider wellness as it relates to vision care. Through the Davis Vision Program, eye examinations are covered annually at no additional out-of-pocket cost through a network provider. Davis Vision is a subsidiary of Highmark and it is part of one of the largest fully integrated vision care providers in the nation.

When you visit your local eye care professional, your thoughts are probably on having your vision tested, obtaining a new lens prescription or making sure there is no evidence of cataracts or glaucoma. But, did you know that a thorough eye examination can provide clues about your overall health and signal evidence of many diseases before their symptoms show up elsewhere in your body?

A dilated fundus evaluation (DFE) can do just that. An important part of a complete eye health screening, the DFE is an excellent means of detecting and assessing the signs of diseases of both the eye and the rest of your body. It is a very useful, painless diagnostic tool that only takes an average of five minutes to perform.

A DFE is considered to be one of the most valuable tests conducted during an eye examination because it can detect some signs and physiological effects of various circulatory, metabolic and neurologic disorders such as high blood pressure, diabetes and some types of tumors. It can also aid in the diagnosis and assessment of the following eye problems:

* Cataracts

* Cloudy Retinal

* Tears and Detachment Optic Nerve Disease

* Glaucoma

At present, over 65 percent of faculty and staff elect vision coverage. Consider taking advantage of the annual vision examinations. It is also part of your Fitness for Life.

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UPMC Health Plan Initiates Member Advocate Program

For the past few years, you may have seen television commercials for the “Concierge Service” offered to post-65 retirees as part of the UPMC for Life coverage. This program has been very successful. The experience and lessons learned have been applied to a similar service for active members called the “Member Advocate Program.”

Members will receive an introductory letter and pamphlet announcing the program. When you call Member Services, you will be assigned a member advocate (your primary contact). On subsequent calls you are routed to the member advocate. All member advocates will have backups that work closely with your primary contact to immediately handle calls if the call volume is high.

The University of Pittsburgh will be the first commercial group to experience this new service. Features of the member advocate program will include:

* Reminders for preventive care

* Providing information on recent benefit enhancements

* A more detailed understanding of coverage

* Birthday greetings

* Information on healthy lifestyle programs

* Get well cards following a hospital stay

As a reminder, the Member Services contact information for UPMC Health Plan is listed below:

Telephone: 1 888-499-6885

Pharmacist Helpdesk: 1-800-396-4139

Life Solutions/FSAP: 1-800-647-3432

Website: www.upmchealthplan.com

To learn more about the Member Advocate Program call:

Telephone: 1-888-876-2756

TTY: 1-800-361-2629

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Weight Race Reaches Midpoint

The response to the weight race was overwhelmingly positive. 1,279 members of the University community participated in the initial weigh-in.

As an update, after week four of participation, listed below are the standings.

Oakland

Rank Team Name % Of Goal Met

1 Brody’s Baam-Babes 84.60%

2 Cochran’s Carb Counselors 71.60%

3 POWER – Provost’s Office Women 61.59%

Bradford

Rank Team Name % Of Goal Met

1 PB and J’s 50.00%

2 Big Boned and Beyond 31.95%

3 Bradford Team 19.47%

Greensburg

Rank Team Name % Of Goal Met

1 Waisting Away in Greensburg 38.98%

2 Bomb’s A Weigh 36.13%

3 The Melt-Aways 27.63%

Johnstown

Rank Team Name % Of Goal Met

1 A Ton of Fun 51.00%

2 UPJ Rascals2 49.56%

3 Lawn Mowers 38.33%

Mechanicsburg

Rank Team Name % Of Goal Met

1 Mechanicsburg Pound Droppers 37.57%

2 Foxes and The Hound 31.95%

3 Team Katie – We’re Going to Lose 80 17.00%

Titusville

Rank Team Name % Of Goal Met

1 Fab Five 44.50%

2 Reluctant Losers 42.00%

3 Twiggy and the Phat Four 39.00%

Many creative team names have been developed. To view the complete weight race standings of the 263 competing teams and to learn more of the team names enter the link listed below:

www.hr.pitt.edu/fitness/WeightRaceStandings.htm

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2008 Wellness Fair

The 2008 Wellness Fair, under the direction of Dr. Fredric Goss and the University’s Wellness Program, will be held on March 25. This year’s event will also be co-sponsored by UPMC Health Plan.

Over 35 organizations/departments will be represented. Many interactive activities will be available including health screenings for:

* Body Composition

* Blood pressure

* Cholesterol

* Hand Strength

* Carbon Monoxide

* Nutrition

Demonstrations of other activities will be conducted including: Yoga, Dance, Aerobics, Fitness Boxing, and Walking for Fitness.

What: Wellness Fair

Where: William Pitt Union

When: March 25

Time: 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.