Q4 2013

tpaT day
a publication of EBMS
Symmetry
Harmony
Stability
Equilibrium
Clarity
4th Quarter
2013
Synergy
Rhythm
In This Issue:
The Place to Be p2
Maher Named CIO p3
New Medical Director p3
miHealth Manager to be Released
Shelley Van Atta, Strategic Marketing & Public Relations
EBMS and Dossia have announced an expanded partnership to launch the miHealth Manager system to all EBMS clients. The
announcement comes out just one year after EBMS, Dossia and partner organizations were chosen by the US Department of
Health and Human Services to lead a national pilot project to transform the healthcare delivery system through innovative
technology.
Using Dossia’s cutting-edge online platform, including gaming technology to optimize consumer engagement, EBMS and Dossia
launched miHealth Manager. miHealth Manager is an electronic portal that integrates personal health information and multiple
user-engagement components, to offer a personalized, user-friendly experience. In addition to the consumer-facing portal, EBMS
has added the Dossia Dashboard, pairing miHealth Manager’s personal health management platform with real-time data analytics
and evidence-based health rules to drive targeted and personalized health intervention.
City of Billings and EBMS employees were the first employee groups to test miHealth Manager. Because of their overwhelmingly
positive response to the site, and EBMS clients’ ongoing interest in wellness resources and tools that help build a healthy
workforce, EBMS will expand the miHealth Manager platform to all clients as a part of its administrative services agreements
beginning November 1.
The immense popularity of miHealth Manager stems from its ability to provide patients and their multiple providers an opportunity
to electronically access and manage in tandem, 24/7, the personal healthcare information of patients and their families.
Dossia’s user-friendly social technology makes accessing personal health information easy and fun. Features of
miHealth Manager include:
• Health Risk Assessment – an evidenced-based, user-friendly questionnaire that identifies, stratifies, and targets individuals at risk.
• Applications – members can install health apps that interest them from the marketplace to assist them in managing their health.
• Profile completeness – by completing the profile completeness task list, users will be very familiar with the systems’ capabilities
and will know exactly where to find the application or functionality they need.
• Challenges – With miHealth Manager’s social component, individuals can take on challenges in which they commit to carrying
out a variety of health-oriented actions or complete activities set forth by their employer. Users who participate in group
challenges are able to cheer each other on through Dossia’s social networking capabilities.
• News Feed – is constantly changing and updating in order to drive frequent engagement with the site. Employers can
effectively reach and engage their members with targeted messaging, such as reminding employees to get a flu shot or to
attend an upcoming health fair.
Newsletter Staff
Alice Jagiello, Editor
Katherine Meyers
Janean Honadel
Alyssa Francis
Stacey Loucks
Julie Mogan
Jen Robbins
Shelley Van Atta
Kathi Schweigert
Jessa Remington
Kerri Patterson
Linsey Bishop
Office Locations
Montana
2075 Overland Avenue, Billings, MT 59102
Colorado
5995 Greenwood Plaza Blvd,
Greenwood Village, CO 80111
Oregon
1001 SW 5th, Ste 310, Portland, OR 97204
Self-funding Is The Place To Be!
Stacey Loucks, Compliance Officer
Granted, the Affordable Care Act (ACA) provides all of us with administrative headaches, additional work and increasing
costs. However, self-funding remains the “place to be” during these uncertain times in the health care industry.
Something to keep in mind while you wade through all of the information surrounding ACA is that this is not the first time we
have experienced health care reform. Each decade has brought about a new way of financing and delivering health benefits.
The common thread during each phase of reform is that, even though the intent may be good, health care costs have
increased. Employers then look for ways to control costs for the health benefits they offer employees, often leading to selffunding. Employers want to attract and keep exceptional employees and maintain the current culture of providing valuable
benefits for their employees while remaining cognizant of the cost of doing so. Employees often feel entitled to receive health
care and other benefits from their employer.
Self-funded plans have historically experienced a slower increase in plan costs. Employers are shifting to focusing on
participant engagement and health improvement and the ACA provides for an expansion of wellness programs. Employers
with self-funded plans are provided with integrated, dynamic data aggregation tools, rather than disconnected carrier data,
to focus on the best opportunities to reduce unnecessary costs. The national health care trend average was 10.5% for the
period 2007 to 2011 (Aon Hewitt Health Care Survey). EBMS self-funded plans experienced an average inflation of 6.5% for
the same period.
Employers value the personalized attention, flexibility and expertise in plan design and administration available to their
self-funded plan. The ACA includes mechanisms that give greater flexibility to those employers that want to keep control of
their benefit plan through self-funding. A value-based plan design can steer participants to lower cost alternatives. ERISA
permits multi-state employers that self-fund their employee benefits to offer the same benefits to their employees in each
location rather than purchasing multiple policies.
Self-funding health benefits offers relief from some of the ACA provisions that may increase costs for fully-insured
plans. The following provisions do not apply to self-funded plans:
• Insurers must use 80% of all premiums on consumers’ medical claims and improvements in the quality of care or issue
rebates to consumers.
• Insurers must use a modified community rating and can only vary premium pricing based on a few criteria like location,
age and smoking status.
• Insured plans must include a minimum package of essential health benefits.
The advent of the federally facilitated state exchanges has faced some challenges. The sign-up process has been fraught
with difficulty for consumers attempting to explore their options or sign up for benefits. This frustration felt by consumers,
in addition to the limited funding mechanisms, has led some to doubt the exchanges’ ability to provide value and long-term
stability.
Due to the uncertain political scene, many employers have taken the stance that they will remain steady and continue to
reward their employees with a health plan that is not subject to the ups and downs of the insurance industry and a political
agenda. Employers are focused on providing their employees with the tools to take ownership of their own health. Despite
the additional administrative requirements and regulatory fees, self-funding will continue to thrive in the current health care
environment.
Maher Named Chief Information Officer
Shelley Van Atta, Strategic Marketing & Public Relations
Susan Maher, the former Chief Information Officer for Salud Family Health Centers in Colorado, is the new
Chief Information Officer for EBMS. With 28 years of information technology leadership experience, the last
18 of which were spent in healthcare, Susan brings to EBMS a formidable background in creating strategic
IT direction in alignment with business, IT implementation, organizational restructuring, and project
advising. Her corporate experience and strategic consulting skills have given Maher “a 360˚ view of
the opportunities and challenges in healthcare-related IT, as organizations evolve and change.”
In addition to providing leadership to the EBMS Information Technology Department, Susan will
ensure that EBMS’ IT strategic plan complies with EBMS’ corporate strategic plan, leading to
streamlined processes, sound IT applications, and plans for future implementation. She also will
maintain oversight as the HIPAA Security Officer to ensure HITECH compliance, noting that she is
proud of EBMS’ “exemplary track record of data security, which has been praised by industry and
government regulators for going above and beyond to assure the highest of standards.”
A native of Detroit, Maher attended Metropolitan State College, in Denver, Colorado.
Ragar Joins miCare as Medical Director
Shelley Van Atta, Strategic Marketing & Public Relations
EBMS miCare is pleased to introduce Todd J. Ragar, M.D., as the new Medical Director. Dr. Ragar brings 17
years of practice as a family medicine physician. A native of Glendive, Montana, Dr. Ragar says he and
his family are delighted to return to Billings, where he practiced from 2000 to 2011, after spending the
past few years overseas. He looks forward to re-joining the Billings medical community through the
miCare Medical Clinics.
Dr. Ragar is a graduate of the University of Montana, where he met his wife, Alexandra McCready.
They have two children: Maia, 13, and Myles, 10. Dr. Ragar graduated from the University of
Washington School of Medicine.
“I look forward to serving in the miCare Medical Clinics and to being part of their future
expansion,” said Dr. Ragar. “Working as a primary care physician not only is my field of medical
expertise, but it is where miCare makes the greatest impact on the health and wellbeing of our
patients. Primary care is where miCare excels, and I am excited to help build on the clinics’
established successes through the miCare tradition of cost-effective and personalized medical
services.”
Dr. Ragar says that as he looks forward to being Medical Director of the miCare Medical Clinics, “I know I have large shoes to fill
with Dr. James’ departure.”
“I welcome Dr. Todd Ragar, who will become an integral part of our miCare Medical Clinics,” said Jarrod Weenum, EBMS Director of
miCare and Prescription Services. “We know that with his sound medical guidance and outstanding medical expertise, he will build
on the current accomplishments as we take miCare to the next level of success.”
p3
Strategic Planning
p4
Promotions and
Title Changes
We enjoy celebrating the growth
of our professional staff at EBMS.
Please help us congratulate the
following employees on their recent
promotions and/or position/title
changes!
Many exciting changes have occurred at EBMS in 2013. The strategic planning
process is one of those changes. Greg Davison of ArchPoint Consulting is now
facilitating the strategic planning process. Greg is recognized as a result-driver,
resourceful problem-solver and decision maker. Greg excels in helping businesses
refocus their business objectives, optimizing organizational structures and
executing strategic business plans that result in improved levels of performance
and profitability.
In September the leaders who participate in the strategic planning process were
interviewed by ArchPoint consultants either in person or by phone. Questions
focused on growth, operations/productivity and leadership/culture. The
leaders then met in Red Lodge for a two-day planning session to develop the
strategic and operating plan for 2014. Six strategic objectives were established
including Leadership Culture, People & Process, People & Culture, Channel
Communication, Vision and Growth. Action plans will be developed prior to the
team’s meeting in December.
Christina Mill
Claims Support Clerk to
Claims Examiner
Jaylyn Waggener
Claims Specialist—Voids/Refunds to
Claims Examiner
Stephanie Long
Client Service Representative to
Claims Examiner
Erin Jimison
Lori Shelton, Corporate Trainer, and Jo Anne
Hartin, Claims Examiner, participated in a
mock disaster exercise at the 27 Street Post
Office on August 13. It was held to test the
preparedness of the various organizations
that would be involved in an Anthrax threat.
Participants were “exposed” to anthrax and
had to go through decontamination (thus
the beautiful Smurf outfits) and then were
transported to the Public Health’s POD for
“medication.”
Organizational Development
Coordinator to
Strategic Account Executive
Mayla Smith
Client Service Representative to
Claims Examiner
Lori Shelton
Claims Review Specialist to
Corporate Trainer
Julie Mogan
Claims Examiner to
Human Resources Assistant
Carol Schell
Anniversaries
We truly value our experienced and
dedicated team members! Please join us in celebrating the following employees’
anniversaries! Happy Anniversary to all of you!
Employee Name
Start Date Department Title
Sandy Martin-Funches
9/15/1999
Claims
Member Advocate
Sue Corie
10/1/1990
Claims
Claims Review Specialist--Portland
Patty Zimmerman
10/1/2001
Support Services
Receptionist
Shelly Jones
10/4/2010
Client Services
Client Service Representative
Marilyn Bartlett
10/8/2007
Executive
Chief Financial Officer
Jackie Lansing
10/8/2007
Claims
Senior Claims Consultant
Client Services Representative to
Provider Services Specialist
Noni Ramage
Stop Loss Specialist to
Client Service Representative 2
The toughest part of getting to the top of the ladder is getting
through the crowd at the bottom.
– Unknown
Anniversaries
New Employees
Justin Bough
Employee Name
Start Date Department Title
Rhonda Thomas
10/8/2008 Client Services
Senior Lead Client Service Representative
Jo Anne Hartin
10/11/2004 Claims
Claims Examiner
Brenna Yarina
10/11/2005 Legal
Corporate Legal Assistant
Darci Roskelley
10/12/1998 Quality Assurance
QA Specialist--Salt Lake City
Judi Martin
10/12/2000 Account Management
Client Success Manager
Judy Rauser
10/13/1999 Claims
Claims Support Clerk I
Joe Tochihara
10/17/2007 Provider Services
Provider Services Lead
Alyssa Francis
10/18/2010 Information Services
Project Manager
Meagan Long
10/18/2010 Account Management
Assistant Account Manager
Lisa Joki
10/21/1994 Finance
Lead Finance Specialist
Pam Castle
10/22/2012 Provider Services
Provider Services Specialist I
Lisa Frank
10/22/2012 Eligibility
Eligibility Administrator 2
Melissa Mathews-Roe
10/22/2012 Claims
Claims Examiner
Christina Mill
10/22/2012 Claims
Claims Examiner
Jodi Chavez
10/29/2001 Claims
Sr. Stop Loss Analyst
Clarice Hoffman
10/29/2007 Support Services
Flex Check/Support Clerk
Melissa Hammons
10/29/2012 Claims
Sr. Stop Loss Analyst
Kerri Patterson
11/1/2002
Consumer Reimbursement
Consumer Reimbursement Account Coordinator
Meghan LaCroix
11/5/2007
Claims
Claims Examiner
Julie Vaskey
11/6/2000
Information Services
Project Coordinator
Kathy Garretson
11/11/1992
Support Services
Receptionist
Meagen Fehlauer
11/12/2012
CareLink
Disease Management/Wellness Assistant
Mark Smidt
11/13/2000 EBMS Re
Director EBMS Re
Gloria McKay
11/15/1993
Claims
Claims Examiner
Sherri Healy
11/15/2010
Client Services
Client Services Representative 2
Dagmar Schobert
11/15/2010
Client Services
Client Service Representative
Alyson Borth
11/18/2002 Claims
Member Advocate
Erin Ryman
Linda Miller
11/18/2002 CareLink
Disease Management/Wellness Assistant
George Ehrlekrona
11/19/2007 Information Services
EDI Specialist
Karesha Bailey
11/24/2008 Finance
Finance Specialist
Account Management
Strategic Account Manager
Lisa Berendt
11/25/2004 Claims
Plan Design Specialist
Todd Porter
11/26/2001 Information Services
IS System Administrator
Debbie Taylor
11/28/2006 Claims
Claims Registrar
Debbie Hatwigg
11/29/2002 Client Services
Client Service Representative
Greg Helsel
12/1/1998
Consumer Reimbursement
Consumer Reimbursement--Denver
Kassi McBeth
12/4/2012
Client Services
Client Service Representative
Cathy Bentz
12/6/1999
Plan Documents
Plan Document Specialist
Andrea Pluhar
12/6/1999
Claims
Director Claims
Cherish LaFurge
12/9/2002
Claims
Claims Examiner
Lori Shelton
12/9/2002
Human Resources
Corporate Trainer
Mary Deal
12/10/2008 Client Services
Client Service Quality Trainer
Sherrie Grauman
12/13/2010 Claims
Claims Support Clerk II
Sheila Hutchinson
12/13/2010 Provider Services
Provider Services Specialist I
Sally Schanz
12/15/2003 Claims
Claims Examiner
Rod Kastelitz
12/16/1991
Executive Vice President of Sales
Sandra Meide
12/17/2007 Claims
Claims Support Clerk I
Trenay Hart
12/17/2011
miCare
Physician Assistant
Josh Bestrom
12/17/2012
Information Services
IS Programmer Analyst
Jaime Solis
12/17/2012
Client Services
Client Service Representative
Karen Howell
12/19/2005 Marketing
Printing Operations Specialist
Katrina Wagner
12/20/2002 Eligibility
Eligibility System Specialist
Julie Nelson
12/20/2004 Account Management
Client Success Manager
Kris Pendill
12/23/2002 Provider Services
Provider Services Specialist I
Jordan Drake
12/27/2010 Provider Services
Provider Services Specialist I
Jamie Vashus
12/27/2010 miRx
Pharmacy Clinical Manager
Billie Weston
12/29/1997
Strategic Account Manager
Angela Carlton
12/29/2008 Eligibility
Eligibility Administrator 2
Jaime Holly
12/29/2008 Claims
Senior Claims Consultant
Tammy Christensen
12/31/2012
Director Eligibility Services
Executive
Account Management
Eligibility
Client Services
Client Service
Representative
Julie Angle
Client Services
Client Service
Representative
Nilo Cabrera
IS
Lead Project Manager
Casandra Perea
Client Services
Client Service
Representative
Christina Johnson
miRx
Pharmacy Technician
Janet Biggs
miRx
Pharmacy Clerk
Patricia Duletsky
Finance
Finance Specialist
Marianne Brenden
Claims
Claims Review Specialist
p5
Schwabacher Training Workshop
Kathi Schweigert, Claims Business Analyst
p6
Promotions and
Title Changes
Continued
Laura Rookhuizen
Director of Health Risk
Management to
Director of CareLink
Misty Horton
Client Service Representative to
Sr. Lead Client Service
Representative
On September 10 and 11, EBMS hosted training workshops presented by Karen
Schwabacher of Schwabacher Health Insurance Consulting. Staff members from
various departments, including Claims, Eligibility, Plan Documents, Legal and
Quality Assurance, attended a number of workshops over the course of the two
days.
Karen is a dynamic and energetic presenter. She previously presented training to
the EBMS staff in 2002 and it was good to have her back again. EBMS is always
on the look-out for informative presentations for the staff. Lifelong learning is a
commitment that everyone should make.
Workshop topics included Coding and Billing Issues; Partnerships: Administrators,
Stop Loss Carriers and Vendors; Third Party Liability: An Under-Tapped recovery;
Infusion Therapy, Implantable Devices and More; Inhospitable Hospital & PP Oh No
Issues; Fraud and Abuse; Plan Language and Eligibility.
Some comments from the follow up survey of participants included:
• “Lots of interesting information was provided.”
• “Not only did I learn a lot, but it validated what I thought I already knew.”
• “It makes a person think about all of the different scenarios that can happen.
Good speaker and excellent concrete examples.”
Mary Deal
Sr. Lead Client Service
Representative to
Client Services Trainer
Lisa Frank
Eligibility Administrator 1 to
Eligibility Administrator 2
Achievers
Jo Anne Hartin, Claims Examiner,
became a Certified Professional
Coder in June. Jo Anne satisfied all
the requirements and successfully
passed the examination given
by AAPC. The new designation
certifies that Jo Anne is on the level
with the thousands of other coders
nationwide who have passed the
exam and who have significant
practical coding experience.
Congratulations, Jo Anne!
Situational Leadership
Jessa Remington, Employee Relations Coordinator
EBMS is excited to announce the adoption of a new leadership training program
called Situational Leadership. According to the Center for Leadership Studies, “The
Situational Leadership® Model is a powerful, yet flexible tool that enables leaders to
diagnose the variables of any given situation and adapt their management styles
to the behavioral needs of the individual or group they are trying to influence.”
A select group of EBMS managers and supervisors attended a Building Leaders
workshop on September 18, which was presented by Chris McLean, Master Trainer
and Senior Consultant with The Center for Leadership Studies. Leaders learned
about the model and how to apply it in different scenarios. They also received
the results of a self-assessment, which provided an enlightening picture of how
often they were matching their leadership styles to the needs of the individuals or
groups they were trying to influence prior to receiving the training. The same group
of leaders will be reconvening on November 15th for a recap of what was learned
and a discussion of how they have been able to apply the model.
EBMS will continue to provide on-going training on the Situational Leadership
model to a variety of audiences within EBMS and with differing focuses, such as
how it can be applied to managing change. Through a continuing emphasis on
this model, we hope to develop a shared language on how leadership develops
individuals and moves EBMS forward.
Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are
truly endless.
– Mother Teresa
Project Management: An opportunity to enhance and succeed
at organization initiatives
Alyssa Francis, Project Manager
The Project Management Institute defines a project as a “temporary endeavor…with an ongoing work effort [that] is generally a
repetitive process because if follows an organization’s existing procedures.” The utilization and oversight of project management
enables and allows organizations the opportunity to take part in lean methodologies and efficiencies. Project management is a set
of guidelines to prepare, plan and control projects from inception to implementation. There are two steps to a project manager’s
success; the first step to project success is stakeholder and high-level management and the second is the implementation of
a project management team and the integration of that team into an organization’s culture. EBMS has upgraded our project
management team (PMT) adding a Lead Project Manager, Nilo Cabrera, and a Project Coordinator, Julie Vaskey. The project team
now consists of four team members including Project Managers Lacey Wattles and Alyssa Francis.
Benefits of project management include methods of measureable cost savings, appropriate resource allocation to projects and
initiatives, and delivering projects on time and on schedule. Exploration and examination of business success can be attributed
to the use of project management methodologies and frameworks. Project management is built upon specific frameworks that
guide and instruct project personnel on the initiation to the implementation of a project. Birnberg states that “a project manager
is a businessman, a psychologist, an accountant, a technician, part designer, part nuts-and-bolts [comprising] a truly rare
combination of skills.” Projects are initiated by the needs of the organization. These needs are defined by the operations and/or
technical staff based on the requirements of the organization or specific department(s).
With the growth of the team and the utilization of project management throughout the organization, the PMO and management
teams had the opportunity to take part in a project management seminar/training in September. This was an 8-hour class taught
by Sheila McGinnis, PhD, from City College in Billings. This training was developed to “support growth of EBMS’s organization-wide
project management (PM) capacity. Two facilitated workshops provided EBMS leadership and the EBMS project management
team brief overviews of current PM practices followed by discussions and applications designed to define the EBMS approach
to PM practice.” Topics included a background of project management as a profession and what the responsibilities of a project
manager. Significant time was spent reviewing the phases of project management such as initiating the project, planning the
project, working through the implementing/execution phase, and controlling the project’s outcomes. A project manager spends a
minimum 75% of their time planning. Randolph and Ponser state that project managers are effective because they “firstly plan,
then they manage the plan and then they continue to plan/manage, plan/manage until they get the job done.” The PMT had the
opportunity to review the types of documentation required to complete and close a project. This training also took into account
the ‘people factor’ of project management; the teamwork that is put into developing and implementing a project. Randolph
and Posner state that “the most overlooked, yet fundamental, aspect of project management is that a project manager cannot
implement a project alone.” Teamwork is dynamic and takes a competent communicator to work with all aspects of the business
as well as internal and external customers.
How do you define the success of a project? Kupakuwana and Van der Berg define success as a project that is completed on time, on
budget, and to specifications. It must result in a satisfied end customer; a profitable product for the customer. The training examined
how a Project Manager and the organization can work together as partners to initiate and implement a successful project.
The training provided education and a summary of project management to the organization and to the team. The takeaways from
this seminar will support the PMO’s success as well the projects and teams they manage currently and in the future.
Sources:
Barber, E. & Warn, J. (2005). Leadership in project management: From firefighter to firelighter. Management Decisions, 43(7), 1032-1039.
Retrieved from www.search.prooquest.com
Kupakuwana, P.S. & Van der Berg, G.J.H. (2005). The goalposts for project success have moved: A marketing view. Cost Engineering. 47(5), 28-34.
Retrieved from www.search.proquest.com
Muller, R., Gluckler, J. & Aubfy, M. (2013) A Relational Typology of Project Management Offices. Project management Journal. 44(1), 59-76.
Project Management Institute, Inc. (2008) A guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide) 4th Edition. Newtown Square,
Pennsylvania: Project Management Institute, Inc.
Randolph, W.A. & Posner, B.Z. (1988). What every manger needs to know about project management. Sloan Management Review, 65-73.
p7
Blood Mobile Returns
Jen Robbins, Director of Support and Provider Services
p8
Kids Corner
Sammy Walter is a senior at Senior
High and finished fourth at the
State golf tournament. She has
been offered an academic and golf
scholarship at Rocky Mountain
College but has not yet decided
where she would like to continue
her education and golf career.
Sammy is the daughter of Chris
Walter, Finance Specialist.
Austin Walter is a junior at Senior
High; he tied for fifth at the State
golf tournament. Austin spends
every day on the golf course and
is looking forward to playing in
college and someday working in
the world of golf in some capacity.
Austin is the son of Chris Walter,
Finance Specialist.
On October 30, EBMS welcomed the blood mobile for the second blood drive this
year. The Billings Blood Bank provides blood not only for our Billings hospitals
but other hospitals across eastern Montana and Wyoming. Covering such a
large area of need creates a demand for donations in our community. EBMS has
made it possible for employees to receive paid leave for volunteering and having
the blood mobile onsite has allowed employees the opportunity to volunteer at
EBMS.
The blood drive was a great success; 20 appointments were filled! If you missed
your opportunity to donate, the blood mobile will return in January.
Mobile Mammography Returns
Meagen Fehlauer, Disease Management/Wellness Assistant
The women of EBMS weren’t spooked about
getting their mammograms this year! After a
successful event last October, the miHealth
Committee welcomed back the St. Vincent
Mobile Mammography Coach. The Coach, clad in
headlight eyelashes, was available on October
30 and 31 to ensure that every woman had
the chance to partake in this service. Halloween
costumes didn’t get in the way of screenings; during
those two days, about 40 mammograms were performed.
Healthy snacks, prizes, self-exam cards, and other educational information
were provided to all employees to help emphasize the importance of prevention.
Thanks to great nurses from St. Vincent Hospital and the added convenience,
many women felt that this was their best mammography experience. After two
successful years of screenings, EBMS plans to have this unique preventative
service return next fall!
What Not To Wear… In the Workplace
Jessa Remington, Employee Relations Coordinator
In a recent survey of 1,000 senior managers at companies with 20 or more
employees, 80% of executives interviewed said that clothing choices affect an
employee’s chances of earning a promotion. Seventy-two percent of respondents
said that clothing choices affect an employee’s promotion chances somewhat,
while 8% said that the impact was significant.
The executives surveyed also gave some outrageous examples of attire they had
actually heard of or seen someone wearing in the workplace. Here were some examples:
a space suit, coveralls, pajamas, a wolf mask, a bathing suit and a chicken suit.
The survey was developed by OfficeTeam, a leading staffing service specializing in
the placement of highly skilled administrative professionals. It was conducted by an
independent research firm and is based on telephone interviews with the respondents.
If you don’t go after what you want, you’ll never have it. If you
don’t ask, the answer is always no. If you don’t step forward,
you’re always in the same place.
– Nora Roberts
Healthy Holiday Tips
Linsey Bishop, Wellness Coach
With the holidays fast approaching, it can be difficult to stick to healthy habits. With a little extra attention, you can make it
through the holidays without losing track of your healthy lifestyle. Holidays are a time to enjoy family, friends, and food. And
contrary to popular belief, this can be done.
Keep a Healthy Mindset. Keeping the right mindset is key. It may be difficult to lose weight from Thanksgiving to New Years.
Strive to maintain your weight during this time. A great holiday motto is “maintain don’t gain.” Each week, try to develop specific,
measurable goals to keep on track. For instance, “I will walk 10 minutes for 5 days per week on my lunch break,” or “I will eat one
fruit and one vegetable at every dinner.”
Maintain Healthy Eating. In preparation for big holiday or party meals, don’t skip other meals. Skipping meals can lead to
overeating later. Incorporate strategies to avoid over-consuming. This can include using smaller plates, avoiding seconds, and
consuming alcohol in moderation. Holiday meals can be healthy and tasty. Try new recipes that are high in flavor but are also low
in fat and added sugar. Visit these websites for healthy holiday recipe ideas:
www.cookinglight.com/entertaining/holidays-occasions
www.heart.org/HEARTORG/GettingHealthy/NutritionCenter/Recipes/Recipes_UCM_001184_SubHomePage.jsp
www.diabetes.org/food-and-fitness/food/recipes/
Make Time for Exercise. As the weather gets cooler, it’s important to brainstorm ideas for incorporating new exercise regimens.
Exercise provides many health benefits including: weight control, chronic disease risk reduction and improvement of mental health
and mood. Make time to exercise as a family and develop new holiday traditions, such as a family flag football game. For more
winter exercise tips visit:
www.sparkpeople.com/resource/fitness_articles.asp?id=1594
www.everydayhealth.com/fitness-pictures/winter-fitness-activities-for-the-whole-family.aspx#/slide-1
Manage Stress. This time of year can be very stressful financially and emotionally. Realize that the holidays are stressful for
many people, and it is okay to feel this way. Take 5-10 minutes each day for yourself. This time can be spent walking, talking to a
friend, reading a book, listening to music, exercising or just breathing. If you feel overwhelmed or stressed, reach out to a friend or
family and talk about your feelings. By taking time out for yourself, you will be able to enjoy holiday gatherings and parties.
And last, enjoy the holidays and celebrate with friends and family!
Source: www.eatright.org
Warm up on a cool autumn evening with a savory soup!
Spicy Fajita Soup...............................................................................
Directions
Ingredients
1 In a slow cooker, add the onions, peppers, corn, tomatoes,
garlic, 1 tablespoon chili powder, chipotle, and broth. Season
with salt and pepper to taste. Cook on low for 4 to 6 hours.
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2 medium yellow onions, sliced
2 green peppers, cored, seeded, and sliced into strips
1/2 cup frozen corn, thawed
1 (14-ounce) can diced tomatoes
1 tablespoon chopped garlic
2 tablespoons chili powder, divided
1 chipotle pepper in adobo sauce, chopped
1 quart chicken broth
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 cups canola oil, for frying
12 corn tortillas, cut into eighths
1 cup Monterey Jack cheese, shredded
2 scallions, sliced
2 In a deep skillet over medium heat, add the canola oil and
heat to 365 degrees F. Fry the tortilla pieces until brown and
crispy, 1 to 2 minutes. Drain on brown paper and immediately
season with salt and the remaining 1 tablespoon chili powder.
Preheat the broiler.
3 Ladle the soup into ovenproof bowls or crocks and top
each with 2 tablespoons cheese. Put the bowls on a sheet pan
and put under the broiler until the cheese is brown and bubbly,
1 to 2 minutes. Garnish with scallions and serve with chips.
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Fight the Flu: Get Vaccinated
Meagen Fehlauer, Disease Management/Wellness Assistant
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Kids Corner
A group of fourth grade boys from
Columbus Elementary School
participated in and won the
Yellowstone Elementary Cross
Country meet on October 8. Chase
Anderson is the grandson of Sharon
Jacobs, Claims Examiner (the first
boy in the back row). Chase placed
25th out of 204 participants; the
team had 6 runners in the top 40.
The air is turning colder and the holidays are fast approaching, which can only
mean one thing. It’s flu season!
The flu season in the United States begins in early October and can span through
late May. This means we are in the heart of flu season and it’s time to take action
against the virus. Hand washing and covering your mouth when you cough and
sneeze are great ways to fight the flu. But, the single best way to protect against
the flu is to get vaccinated each year.
Influenza is a respiratory infection that can cause serious complications,
especially for young children, pregnant women and older adults. It’s estimated
that about 90% of flu related deaths occur in people 65 years and older. This is
why it is important that those at high risk get vaccinated, but it is just as vital
that healthy individuals get the flu shot.
Most healthy adults may be able to infect others beginning one day before
symptoms develop and up to a week after becoming ill.
You may be able to pass the flu on before you know you are sick, as well
as while you are sick. The symptoms include:
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Lexi Lewis, a senior at Laurel High
School, has taken the soccer field
by storm. She claimed the title of
most goals scored by any Class A
player in her junior year. She was
the Rookie of the Year her freshman
year. She has certainly earned the
right to wear jersey No. 1 during her
four years on LHS varsity team. Lexi
has been named to the Academic
All-State team every year and was
selected to the All-State First Team
both her sophomore and junior
years. In addition to soccer, Lexi
plays basketball and is a member
of the National Honor Society. Lexi
is the daughter of Heather Lewis,
Strategic Account Manager.
A 100 degree or higher fever or
feeling feverish
A cough and/or sore throat
A runny or stuffy nose
• Headache and/or body aches
•Chills
•Fatigue
• Nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea
Individuals with these symptoms should stay at home, except to receive medical
attention. It is also important to note that people who had the flu can still be
contagious for up to 24 hours after the fever and symptoms have gone.
The CDC recommends that anyone 6 months and older receives a flu vaccine.
It takes up to two weeks to build immunity after a flu shot, but you can benefit
from the vaccine even if you don’t get it until after flu season starts. New flu
vaccines are released every year to keep up with rapidly adapting flu viruses.
After vaccination, your immune system produces antibodies that will protect you
from the flu viruses.
Each year, people come up with excuses as to why they shouldn’t get the shot.
The first reason is that they don’t do needles. Well, there is good news! The
vaccine is now available in a nasal spray, which includes the same benefits and
protection as the shot.
The second excuse is the misnomer that the shot will give them the flu. The
vaccine does contain live viruses, but they are weakened, and therefore cannot
cause the flu. Serious problems with the vaccine are very rare. The most
common side effects are soreness at the injection site or a runny nose with the
nasal spray, both of which go away within a few days.
So now that you have all the facts, make sure to protect yourself and others by
getting the flu shot this year!
Sources: cdc.gov, mayoclinic.com, flu.gov
Nothing can stop the man with the right mental attitude from
achieving his goal; nothing on earth can help the man with the
wrong mental attitude.
– Thomas Jefferson
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2013 Block Party Alyssa Francis, Project Manager
Just as the tents went up and the tables were set-up, the clouds parted and the barbequing of the
burgers began. The annual Relay for Life Block Party was the first fundraiser for the 2014 Relay for Life
team. EBMS’ neighboring businesses gathered in the EBMS parking lot to support and celebrate the
American Cancer Society and the EBMS Relay for Life team.
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Participants enjoyed a burger and fixings and a good time. The team, headed by Shelly Roybal-Frazier,
coordinated and connected with neighboring businesses. Costco donated the chips and water; the
EBMS team provided the desserts. Donations, including extra cash paid and the sale of magnets and
bracelets, resulted in a grand total of $1038. Shelley reported that this was about $200 more than last
year! The Block Party was a great success allowing the Relay for Life team the opportunity to provide
additional donations to the American Cancer Society in their fight against cancer.
1 Jarrod Weenum, Director of miCare and Pharmacy, and Lacey Wattles, Project Manager, enjoy the warm
September day and a burger. 2 Relay for Life Team Leader, Shelly Roybal-Frazier
Halloween Festivities
1 Sondra Arnold, Controller; Lisa Joki, Lead Finance
Specialist; and Karla Stricker, Finance Specialist. 2 The Claims leadership team won the “most original” category;
Sheri Houser, Claims Business Analyst; Andrea Pluhar, Director of Claims; Tiffany Johnson, Claims Supervisor; Tara
Keehn, Claims Supervisor; Kathi Schweigert, Claims Business Analyst and Supervisor; and the Dealer, Lisa Rel,
Claims Supervisor—Specialties. 3 Dale Welzenbach, Lead IS System Administrator. 4 Terry Field, Roxanne Beil
and Rhonda Thomas, Client Service Representatives, dressed for the “Best of the West” theme. Terry placed second
in the theme category. 5 First place winner of the “Best of the West” theme category was Lisa Elings, Finance
Supervisor. 6 What would Halloween be without the Pillsbury Dough Boy—Tom Partlow, CEO?
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p11
P.O. Box 21367
Billings, MT 59104-1367
www.ebms.com
P 406.245.3575
T 800.777.3575
F 406.652.5380
C R E AT I N G
COMMUNITIES,
O N E E M P LOY E R AT A T I M E
EBMS delivers strategies to transform the health and wellbeing of individuals, organizations and communities.
miRx Mail Order Pharmacy
Shelley Van Atta, Strategic Marketing & Public Relations
Your health is important to us! miRx is here to make sure you stay healthy and to manage your prescriptions in a fast, easy and
convenient way that will help you save time and money.
miRx is a team of dedicated healthcare professionals who work hard to ensure your prescription benefits are working for you! The miRx
goal is to help you understand what medications you are taking and to help you keep on the road to a healthier you. miRx also wants to
help lower your costs on your prescription medications.
The miRx Mail Order Pharmacy is a fast, inexpensive and convenient way to have your maintenance medications delivered to your
home. A maintenance medication is one that is used to treat a long-term or chronic condition such as asthma, arthritis, diabetes, high
cholesterol or high blood pressure. Every prescription is evaluated and filled by a highly-trained, caring pharmacist.
Enrollment is easy. You must fill out a miRx patient profile if you have not already
done so. This form can be obtained online at www.ebms.com and can be submitted
via mail or fax. Prescriptions can be directly faxed from your doctor’s office to miRx
or a miRx pharmacist can transfer refills from your existing pharmacy. Refer to the
enrollment form for additional details.
The program covers any prescription medication (up to 90 days) that is covered by
your employer’s benefit plan. Please refer to your plan document for specific drug
inclusions and exclusions. Due to specific licensing and special handling requirements,
some prescriptions will not be available through miRx Pharmacy.
For your convenience, miRx Pharmacy currently accepts checks, money orders, and
the following credit cards: Visa, MasterCard, Discover or American Express.
A successful man is one who can lay a firm foundation with the
bricks others have thrown at him.
– Sherri Melsby