Time to Think About Flu Shots!

What’s one of the best ways to stay healthy this fall and winter? Get a flu shot! The best news of all is that flu shots are free to state health plan participants and their family members. You and your family can choose to go to a doctor’s office or visit a pharmacy that participates in the state flu shot program. The list of participating pharmacies will be finalized soon for each health plan. So it’s important that you call your local drug store to ask if it is taking part in the state’s flu shot program and when flu shots may be scheduled. Participating pharmacy lists will be posted on this site as soon as they are available.

Governor’s Policy on Fairness & Equity in the Workplace

Executive Directive Number One represents the Governor’s policy regarding fairness and equity in state employment. In addition to prohibiting illegal discriminatory practices in the workplace, “civility, fair treatment, and mutual respect shall be the standard of conduct expected in state government. Allegations of any violation of law or this standard shall be brought promptly to the attention of the Director of the Department of Human Resource Management for review and corrective action.” Allegations of illegal discrimination as enumerated by Executive Order Number Six (2010) and Policy No. 2.05 – Equal Employment Opportunity will be investigated. For additional information on submitting concerns under Executive Directive Number One or filing a discrimination complaint under Executive Order Number Six, click on the appropriate link.

Free Emergency Preparedness Training Available To State Employees

Virginia Citizen Corps and the Virginia Department of Emergency Management are offering free “State Safe” Training to Virginia state employees.

"State Safe" Training teaches Community Emergency Response Team basic first aid, search and rescue, fire safety and terrorism preparedness – all skills that can be used at work and at home. Classroom and hands-on instruction will be followed by a final exercise.

Originally set for July, this training has been rescheduled for September 13,14,16,17, 20, 21 and 22 at the Monroe Building in downtown Richmond.

The training is free and seating is limited. There are eight modules to complete. Each module will be held twice to help fit busy schedules. Students must attend each module once to receive a certificate of completion.

Register online at www.vaemergency.com/train/calendar_course.cfm? id=142. For more information, contact Lisa Perry at (804) 897-6500, ext. 6595, or lisa.perry@vdem.virginia.gov.

Additional Health Plan Change Effective July 1, 2010

COVA Care and COVA Connect members will pay less for some behavioral health services as a result of mental health parity legislation. See more here.

EAP Offers Additional Tools

Your Employee Assistance Program offers a variety of resources, including multimedia educational tools, to help you deal with health and life issues. You may want to take another look at your health plan’s EAP benefit. Using the EAP is as simple as making a toll-free telephone call. You receive up to four sessions at no cost for counseling on a particular issue. There are new tools available on EAP Web sites, including 5-to-12 minute videos on the COVA Care EAP site under “What’s New” and companion guides with a list of suggested articles on the topic covered. Other helpful tools and articles are available for COVA Connect, COVA HDHP and Kaiser Permanente HMO members.

Education Program for Bariatric Surgery

The Commonwealth has launched a pre-surgery education program for COVA Care and COVA Connect members considering bariatric or lap band surgery. See more information...