• March is Kidney Month

• Benefits Corner

• Save Your Vision Month

• Fitness Center Discounts
  for MISD Staff

• Water Aerobics

Save Your Vision Month

A good education for your child means good schools, good teachers and good vision. Your child's eyes are constantly in use in the classroom and at play. So when his or her vision is not functioning properly, learning and participation in recreational activities will suffer.

The basic vision skills needed for school use are:

• Near vision. The ability to see clearly and comfortably at 10-13 inches.

• Distance vision. The ability to see clearly and comfortably beyond arm's reach.

• Binocular coordination. The ability to use both eyes together.

• Eye movement skills. The ability to aim the eyes accurately, move them smoothly across a page and shift them quickly and accurately from one object to another.

• Focusing skills. The ability to keep both eyes accurately focused at the proper distance to see clearly and to change focus quickly.

• Peripheral awareness. The ability to be aware of things located to the side while looking straight ahead.

• Eye/hand coordination. The ability to use the eyes and hands together.

If any of these or other vision skills is lacking or not functioning properly, your child will have to work harder. This can lead to headaches, fatigue and other eyestrain problems. As a parent, be alert for symptoms that may indicate your child has a vision or visual processing problem. Be sure to tell your optometrist if your child frequently:

• Loses their place while reading;

• Avoids close work;

• Holds reading material closer than normal;

• Tends to rub their eyes;

• Has headaches;

• Turns or tilts head to use one eye only;

• Makes frequent reversals when reading or writing;

• Uses finger to maintain place when reading;

• Omits or confuses small words when reading;

• Consistently performs below potential.

Since vision changes can occur without you or your child noticing them, your child should visit the optometrist at least every two years, or more frequently, if specific problems or risk factors exist. If needed, the doctor can prescribe treatment including eyeglasses, contact lenses or vision therapy.

Remember, a school vision or pediatrician's screening is not a substitute for a thorough eye examination.
 

Copyright © 2005 American Optometric Association

Water Aerobics

Wellness...a way of life!

March is Kidney Month

More than 20 million Americans have chronic kidney disease, and another 20 million more are at increased risk, according to the National Kidney Foundation (NKF), yet most don’t even know it. During March, National Kidney Month, the NKF urges all Americans, especially those at increased risk, to get tested for kidney disease.

“Chronic kidney disease usually causes no symptoms until it reaches an advanced stage, but simple tests can be done to detect kidney disease early,” said Brian J.G. Pereira, M.D., president of NKF. “If caught early enough, chronic kidney disease can be treated to prolong or even prevent associated complicating factors, such as heart disease,” Pereira concluded.

According to Pereira, it’s important that people visit their doctor or a clinic to find out if they could be at increased risk for chronic kidney disease. Anyone can get chronic kidney disease, but some people are more likely than others to develop it. People in high-risk groups include:

• Diabetics or those with a family history of diabetes

• Those with high blood pressure or family history of hypertension

• Those with a family history of chronic kidney disease

• African-Americans, Hispanics, Pacific Islanders and Native Americans

• Senior Citizens

The National Kidney Foundation recommends three simple tests for those at risk: blood pressure measurement, urinalysis to check for protein and a blood test to test for the level of serum creatinine, a waste build-up that would indicate that the kidneys are not doing their job of filtering the blood well enough.

Kidney disease strategies include:

• control blood pressure by using ACE inhibitor medications or by exercising and eating a low-salt diet

• control blood sugar for diabetics

• stop smoking, especially for those with high blood pressure

• keep weight down.

For more information about chronic kidney disease, call the National Kidney Foundation at (800) 622-9010.

Copyright © 2005 National Kidney Foundation, Inc.

HEALTH/DENTAL PLAN FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
 

Q:	How do I verify that the benefit election change requested during the Open Enrollment Period for a January 1, 2005, insurance effective date have taken effect?
A:	Payroll deduction changes resulting from changes made to Health/Dental and Voluntary Insurance Plan benefits during the October open enrollment period should have been reflected in the December pay check stub for cancellations and January pay check stubs for additions.  You should review your paycheck stub and report any errors to the Employee Benefits Office.  To verify the coverage change, contact the respective company or the Employee Benefits Office.
Q:	Why have I not received my new insurance card?
A:	Health Insurance ID Cards reflecting the changes made during the enrollment period for January 1, 2005, effective dates were mailed to employee’s home address. If you have not received your updated Mutual of Omaha Health ID card by now, please contact the Employee Benefits Office.  Employees that to date have not receive any card from Mutual of Omaha should also contact Employee Benefits Office.  Employees presenting Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) Health ID Card to a health care provider after October 1, 2004, may have services delayed or denied.
Q:	How long do I have to enroll a newborn or spouse?
A:	You have 30 days from the date of birth to add a newborn to your coverage as well as 30 days from wedding date to enroll a spouse.
Q:	Do I need to precertify for inpatient surgery?
A:	For non-emergency inpatient surgery, precertification is required five working days in advance or a $500 penalty will be imposed.  Precertification is not required for outpatient surgeries or procedures.
Q:	Do I need to precertify for medical consultation, treatment or other services related to Mental/Nervous and/or Substance Abuse Conditions?
A:	Precertification is required with Deer Oaks EAP Services at 1-877-865-9322.  Failure to contact Deer Oaks will result in the claim being denied and no benefits paid.
Q:	Do I need to notify Mutual of Omaha since my covered dependent is turning age 25 and therefore will be losing eligibility?
A:	When a covered dependent reaches the age of 25, Mutual of Omaha will automatically cancel coverage and no claims will be paid.  The employee will need to come by the Employee Benefits Office to update the benefit records.  This will prevent any undue payroll deductions due to the change in coverage.  This step is necessary because payroll deduction records are not automatically changed to reflect this change in coverage.  If the records are not updated, it could result in overpayment of premiums that are non refundable.  The opportunity for continuation of group health benefits due to the loss of dependent eligibility will be made available in accordance with federal law.

Mr. Andres Silva is the Director of Employee Benefits/Risk Management

Statistics prove regular exercise can help reduce, stress, depression, insomnia, high blood pressure and heart disease. It can also improve circulation, weight management, muscle tone, self - esteem, and osteoporosis, so what are we waiting for, lets get started.

There are two fitness centers that offer group discounts for MISD employees.

Have a great workout!