In this issue

2 • 2014/2015SECCspecialevents

3

The TorchispublishedmonthlybytheStatePersonnelDepartment

andisavailableonlineatwww.in.gov/spd

Submityourstoryideasto:spdcommunications@spd.in.gov

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9 • Retirementseminar• Fallfestivals

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October 2014

• OpenEnrollmentpreparation

• Flushotclinics

4• Reducecancerriskthroughdetectionandprevention

Continued on page 3

Take time now to prepare for open enrollment

• Wellnessprogramtestimonies

Openenrollmentisjustaroundthecorner.Ratherthanwaittothelastminutetodeterminewhatoptionstoselect,taketimenowtocarefullyreviewyourhealthcareneeds.Thatway,youarebetterpreparedtoselecttheplansthatbestmeetthehealthcareneedsofyouandyourfamily.

Hereareafewtipstogetstarted:

Know the dates: Markyourcalendarsforthe2015OpenEnrollmentseason.ItbeginsOctober29andendsNovember19atnoon(EST).

Review this year’s medical, vision and dental expenses.Howmuchdidyouspendonmedical,visionanddentalneeds?Theseareyourout-of-pocketexpenses.AreyouusingyourHealthSavingsAccount(HSA)effectivelyfortheseexpensives?AnHSAislikeasavingsaccountsetuptofundonlyeligiblemedical,visionanddentalexpenses.Notonlydoesthestatedepositmoneyintotheaccount,butanemployeecanalsoelectaportionoftheirpaychecktobedepositedintoaHSA,beforetaxes.AnemployeemustopenupaHSAinordertoreceivethecontributionsthestatemakestoeachaccount.

AreyoustillinatraditionalPPOmedicalplan?Comparethetotal

out-of-pocketcostsyouspentthispastyearinmedical,visionanddentalexpensesandthecostofyouroverallmedicalexpenses.Besuretoincludeyourpremiumcosts.Afteryoutotalthisnumber,aCDHPcombinedwithaHSA,maybesignificantlycheaperthanatraditionalPPO.Itcanpotentiallygiveyouothertaxadvantagessincecontributionsaremadebeforetax.

Examine how much you contribute to your Flexible Spending Account (FSA).IfyouhaveaFlexibleand/orDependentCareSavingsAccount,besuretoexamineyourout-of-pocketexpensescloselyastheseprogramsareause-it-or-lose-itprogram.Youmayneedtoincreaseordecreaseyourcontributionsaccordingly.

Understand your insurance needs.Ifaqualifyingeventhasoccurredwithinthepastyear,yourinsuranceneedsmayhavechangedaswell.Aqualifyingeventcouldbeabirth,divorce,weddingoranadoption.Ratherthansimplysigningupforthesameamountyoudidtheyearbefore,determinewhetheryouroverallfinancialsituationhaschanged,andwhetherornotyouneedmoreorlessinsurance.Ifyouexperiencedsuchaneventanddidnotrequestachangetoyourbenefitswithin30days,theopen

The Torch2

Retirement

Early planning is well planning

SECC Special EventsOnSept.3the2014-2015StateEmployees’CommunityCampaign(SECC)officiallybeganwiththetheme“HeartofPublicService.”Chairman DOR Commissioner Mike Alley,andstateagenciesarealreadyhostingspecialeventstoraisemoneytoreachourgoalof$1.3M.Belowisoneofthoseevents:

JustintimeforSECC,theAMVETSRidersofPost91inMonticellochallengedtheIndianaVeterans’Home(IVH)tocompletetheALSicebucketchallenge.Becauseveteransaretwiceaslikelyasnon-veteranstodevelopALS,thischallengewasparticularlymeaningtothestaff.Sinceenoughbucketscouldnotbefound,alocalfiredepartmenthelpedoutbydousingemployeeswithverycoldwater.Bestofall,injust24hours,theIVHstaffandvolunteersraised$381forALSresearch.

Oct.19–25,2014isNationalSaveforRetirementWeek(NS4RW).IncelebrationofNS4RW,peopleacrossthenationfocusonretirementreadiness,butthereisnoneedforyoutowaituntilOctobertoplanforacomfortableretirement.Livingwellinretirementisimpactedbyyourplanning(orlackofplanning)today.Startplanningandsavingearly(asearlyasinyourtwenties)toretirethewayyouwant.Formoreinformation,visitourInvesting101page.LikeINPRSonFacebookandfollow@INPRSonTwittertostayinformedaboutyourretirementoptions.

EnjoythrillsandchillsaswecelebrateHowl-O-WeenatGreatWolfLodge!ThisOctober,grabyourcostumeandheadtoGreatWolfLodgeforaspooktaculartimewithyourfamily.Howl-o-weenfestivitiesincludeatrickortreattrail,MonsterBashDanceParty,andCostumeParades.Enjoy20%offofourroomratesatGreatWolfLodgewhenbookingusingthecodeINDI462Bonlineatwww.greatwolf.com/masonorwithareservationistat1.800.913.WOLF.Offerbasedonavailability,restrictionsapply,mustpresentStateIDuponcheckin.

Celebrate Howl-O-Ween at Great Wolf Lodge with discount

On Sept. 9, Governor Mike Pence announced the completion of the Management and Performance Hub (MPH) Technology Center. The Technology Center, which houses the work of the Governor’s MPH initiative, aims to bring greater effectiveness, efficiency and transparency to state government, using cutting-edge, real-time data technology.

The Torch 3

Open enrollment preparationenrollmentperiodisthetimetodoso.Lifeinsurancecanbeconsideredifyoudonotcurrentlycarryit.

Review your beneficiaries and dependents.Thisisanimportantthingtodoonayearlybasis.Ifyourfamilysituationhaschangedatall,itwillcertainlymeritmakingareviewofyourbeneficiariesanddependents.

If you are married: compare your coverage against your spouse’s.Ifyouandyourspousehavedifferentcompanybenefits,makesuretoweightheprosandconsofeachhealthinsuranceandoverallbenefitspackage.Sincepremiumscanchangesignificantlyinsmaller-andmedium-sizedcompaniesbaseduponlastyear’shealthclaimratings,onecompany’sinsuranceprogramscanbecheaperthananother.Thiscouldbeachangefromtheyearbefore.Comparethelistofdoctorsinyourplantoyourspouse’stoseeifoneplanoffersmorethantheother.Ifyourspouse’sopenenrollmentperiodandeffectivedatesdifferfromthestateplans,planahead.Yourspouse’sopenenrollmentisnotconsideredaqualifyingeventtochangeplansorlevelofcoveragelaterintheyear.Also,ifyou’respouse’splandoesnotoffervisionordental,youmayconsiderpickingoneortheotherfromthestate’splan.

Openenrollmentdoesnotneedtobeastressfultime.Plan,prepareandaskquestionsnowtohelpreducethestresslater.Ifyouhaveanyquestionsorhaveauniquesituationandrequiresomeguidance,pleasecontacttheSPDBenefitsHotlineat317-232-1167(withinIndianapolis)ortoll-freeat877-248-0007(outsideIndianapolis).

Continued from page 1

KrogerpharmacistsarehostingaflushotclinicontheIndianaGovernmentCenter(IGC)campus8 a.m. to 4 p.m.onOct. 8 in Conference Room

B, andOct. 9 in Conference Rooms 1 & 2.TheStatehouseAtriumisscheduledforOctober 22.IfyoudonotcarryStateinsurance,thecostis$20payablebycashorcheck.Please Note:ifyouplantobringachildundertheageof14,itisnecessarytohaveawrittenprescriptionfromthedoctorforapharmacisttoadministerafluvaccine.Seepage10foralistofotherscheduledflushotclinicsaroundthestate.

YoumustbringyourAnthem ID card andacompletedwaiverpriortoreceivingthevaccination:• Inactivatedshotconsentform

Learnmore• Livenasalvaccineconsentform

Learnmore

KrogerPharmaciesarealsoadministeringvaccinesintheirretaillocations.Vaccinationsmayalsobeadministeredatyourdoctor’soffice,pharmacyornearbywalk-inclinic.Evenatanyoftheselocations,thestatecovers100percentofthecost,ifyoucarrystatemedicalinsurance.

IndianaStatePoliceHealthCarePlanMembersareeligibletoutilizetheseclinics;however,youmustcompleteaseparateclaimformandbringitwithyoutotheclinic.StatePoliceHumanResourcesissendingfurtherinformationregardingflushotsthathavetheclaimformsyouneed.

Thebestprotectionagainstthefluistogetaflushoteveryyearbeforetheflu

seasonstarts.Sinceinfluenzaviruseschangeovertime,itisimportanttogetashoteveryyear.Eachyearthevaccineisremadetoincludethetypesoffluvirusexpectedtocauseillnessduringthatfluseason.Thevaccinebeginstoprotectyouwithinafewdaysaftervaccination,butthevaccineisnotfullyeffectiveuntilabout14daysaftervaccination.

Ifyouarewonderingifyoushouldgetavaccine,adetailedlistcanbefoundatWhoShouldGetVaccinatedAgainstInfluenza.Acompletelistofhealthandagefactorsthatareknowntoincreaseaperson’sriskofdevelopingseriouscomplicationsfromfluisavailableatPeopleWhoAreatHighRiskofDevelopingFlu-RelatedComplications.

The time for flu shots is upon us

Please examine all personal information in PeopleSoftOneoftheopportunitiesprovidedbyOpenEnrollmentisareviewofyourContactInformation,includingcurrentpreferredemailaddress.Pleasetakethetimetoreviewyourpersonalinformationscreensandupdateyourcontacts.ThisensuresthatanynoticesfromPeopleSoft,suchasFamily-MedicalLeaveortrainingnotifications,aresenttoyouatanemailaddressyoucheckregularly,whetherit’sastateorpersonalemail.Don’tforgettocarefullycheckthespellingandpunctuationmarkstoo.TheseaddressesarepulledautomaticallyintoaRequestforFML.Misspellingscausethenoticestobemisdirected.• Click here for instructions

The Torch4

Wellness programs improve employees’ lifestyles and health

This information is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. While generally accurate, these statements may not be current or complete and may not apply to your specific medical or financial situation. Never disregard professional medical advice, or delay seeking it, because of something you read here.

SincethelaunchoftheInvestInYourHealthwellnessprogram,employeeshavebeenabletoseeresultsaftermakinghealthylifechoices.Manyhavesentgreattestimonialsandwewouldliketoshareafewofthem:

Stairs vs. the elevator“Itwasalwaystheelevator.Now,thankstothestepschallenge,theelevatornolongerexists.Thestepsaren’tthatbadafterall.Ilovemypedometer;itencouragesmetoalwaysdoalittlemorewalking.Thankyouforshowingmehoweasyitistoexercise!”–David Wandrei, Department of Correction

Walking saved me from a heart attack“Iwantedtoletyouknowthattheweeklywalkinggroupcouldhavesavedmefromhavingaheartattackandpossiblysavedmylife.Ihavealwaysbeenveryactiveinexerciseandwalking.Istoppedsmokingsixyearsagoafterbeinga35yearsmoker.Idon’tdrinkalcoholicbeveragesandreallyrampedupmyexercisingfiveyearsago.Ialwaysgothroughmyannualphysical.Severalyearsbackmycholesterolwasjustover200soIstartedtogetitdowntonormallevels.Idonothavehighbloodpressure.Overall,Iamaveryhealthyperson.ThispastfallIgotlazyanddidn’twalkasoftenordoyogaoranycardioatall.Soaftergaining10poundsduringtheholidayseason,Ijumpedatthechancetojointhewalkinggrouphere.AsIwalked,Inoticedtightness

inmychestbuttheworstwasthepaininmyteethandjaw.Ithoughtitwasfromthecoldaswewalkedthroughthecrosswalks.IttookabitforthepaintorecedebutIcontinuedwalking.

IpersonallythoughtitwaslungcancersinceIsmokedforsolongandtheshortnessofbreath.IwenttoFloridatheendofJanuaryandthoughtsinceitwas60degreesoutsideifIstillhadthesesymptomsthentherewasdefinitelyaproblem.Sureenough,itwasstillthere.ThoughIdidcontinuemywalkingregimen,mylazinesswasalsoasymptom;fatigue.WhenIreturnedhomeIwenttothedoctorFebruary13.Wedidthelungscanandx-raybutmysymptomstoldheritwasheartrelated.Ihadaheartstresstestthenextdayandtheyfoundablockageintherightartery,backsideofmyheart.IhadaheartcathonlytofindthatIhada99percentblockageinonearteryandtheyimplantedastent.HeartdiseaserunsinbothsidesofmyfamilybutIdidn’tthinkitwouldaffectme,butitdid.

SothemessageIreallywanttosendtoeveryonewhoreadsthisistolistentoyourbody.Iwastoldbymydoctorthatitwasjustamatteroftimebeforeaheartattackwouldhappenandthankfully,Ipaidattentionandknewsomethingwasn’tright.Continuedoingalltherightthingstobehealthyandstayhealthybutalsolistenandpayattentiontohowyourbodyreactsanddon’tdelay.Thankyouwalkinggroupforgettingusoutthereandmoving.“-Shelley Reeves, Department of Natural Resources

Changed my diet to prevent diabetes“OnMay6,2014Iwentintothedoctor’sofficeformyphysical.Isteppedonthescaleandsawthatnumberclimbhigherthanithasbeeninyears.The

doctorcameinandgavememybloodworkresults.AllmybloodworkwasreallygoodexceptmyfastingbloodsugarandmyA1C.Hesaid‘Iwanttoputyouonadiabetic[medication]togetthisdown.Youareinwhatweconsidertobepre-diabeticstage.’Isaidno,I’lllosetheweightandI’llgetthesugardown.Hesaidhe’dgivemethreemonthsandthenIwouldbegoingona[medication]becausehejustdidn’tseeme[being]abletoaccomplishit.Mymomisadiabetic,mygrandmotherwasadiabeticandmylittlebrotherdiedat25fromcomplicationsofdiabetes.Theoddswerestackedagainstme.Ilefthisofficemadathimandmadatmyself,butdeterminedtobeatit.Istartedwalkingeverynightandwhentheweatherwouldnotcooperate,IwoulddoaDVDworkout.Ichangedmyeatinghabitsalltogether.Inoweathealthyfoods.Idon’t‘pig-out’anymore.Nosweets,nocolasofanykind,nobread,nopotatoes.IfeelsatisfiedandbetterthanIhaveinyearswithjustthedietchange!!Idrovemyco-workersnutsaboutwalkingwithmeanddothe‘stepschallenge’.Ihavegottenonefaithfuloneoutofthebunchthatwalkswithmenightly.IwentbacktothedoctoronAugust4,2014andIamhappytosaythatmyfastingbloodsugarandA1Cwasnoteveninthecategorytobeevenconsideredpre-diabeticordiabetic!!IBLEWhimawaywithmyaccomplishment.Inthesethreemonths,Ihavelost46pounds,asofthismorningtoo!!IfeelGREAT!!”–Lisa Daughtery, Bureau of Motor Vehicles

Ifyouhaveastoryabouthowthewellnessprogramhasbenefitedyourlife,pleaseemailthemtousatinvestinyourhealthindiana@spd.in.gov.

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Reduce cancer risk through prevention and early detection

Thanks to the Indiana State Department of Health for this submission.

Today,approximatelytwoinfiveIndianaresidentsnowlivingwilleventuallyhavecancer,suggestingthateveryHoosierhasorwillhaveapersonalconnectiontocancerinsomeway.Althoughthecancerrateshavedecreased,cancerisstillIndiana’ssecondleadingcauseofdeath.

Increasingly,evidencepointstolinksbetweenhealthybehaviorsanddecreasedcancerrisk.AccordingtotheAmericanCancerSociety(ACS),asubstantialnumberofcancerscouldbepreventedthroughbetterlifestylechoices,andallcancerscausedbycigarettesmokingandheavyalcoholusecouldbepreventedcompletely.During2014,ACSestimatesthatalmost30percentofthecancerdeathsnationallywillbecausedbytobaccouse.Inaddition,theWorldCancerResearchFundestimatesthatuptoone-thirdofcancercasesarerelatedtooverweightorobesity.

Manycancerscanbepreventedoridentifiedatanearlystagewithregularmedicalcareandearlydetectionscreenings.Forexample,upto60percentofdeathsfromcolorectalcancercouldbepreventedifpersons50andolderwerescreenedregularly.Whilethesestatisticspointtotheimportanceofearlydetection,in2012,37percentofHoosiers50yearsoldorolderreportedneverhavingbeenscreenedthrougheithersigmoidoscopyorcolonoscopy.

InIndianaduring2011,71percentofallcancercasesoccurredamongpeopleages55–84;approximately27percentofstateemployeesareinthisagerange.Althoughmiddleandolderagedadultsaremostlikelytobediagnosedwithcancer,anyonecangetcanceratanyage;precancerouschangesmay

sometimesoccuryearsbeforecancerdevelops.Forthisreason,itisimportantforHoosierstobeinformedandactiveparticipantsintheirhealthcare,havingopenandhonestcommunicationwiththeirhealthprovidersaboutrisksandage-appropriatecancerscreenings.

Forstateemployeeswithstate-providedmedicalbenefits,preventivecareservicesarecoveredat100percentwithnodeductibleatin-networkproviders.Thisincludesscreeningsforbreastcancer,cervicalcancer,colorectalcancerandprostatecancer.Inadditiontoregularmedicalcareandearlydetectionscreenings,youcanreduceyourriskforcancerbymakingthefollowinglifestylechanges:

Avoid tobacco.Smokingaccountsfor87percentoflungcancerdeathsandmorethan30percentofallcancerdeaths.OveronemillionadultsinIndianastillreportbeingsmokers,makingIndiana’sadultsmokingrateoneofthehighestinthenation.Ifyouareasmoker,youcangreatlyreduceyourriskofdevelopinglungcancerbyquittingnow.Evenifyoudon’tsmoke,avoidingsecond-handsmokereducesyourriskofdevelopingcancer.StatebenefitsincludeaccesstotheLiveTobaccoFreeprogramforemployeesandtheirfamiliesthroughtheemployeeassistanceprogram.Visitwww.anthemeap.comtoaccessthisvaluableservice.Inaddition,prescriptionandsomeoverthecountersmokingcessationdrugs,withlimitsof180daysoftherapyperyearfornicotine,bupropion/Zyban,andChantix,arecoveredbyemployeemedicalplans.Forthosewithoutstateinsurance,theQuitNowIndianaisafreeresourceavailabletoallIndianaresidents.Bycalling1-800-QUIT-NOW(1-800-784-8669),orvisitingwww.QuitNowIndiana.com,Hoosiershaveaccesstofree

resources,informationandtrainedquitcoachestohelpthemquit.

Maintain a healthy body weight, eat a healthy diet and get up and move. AccordingtotheCentersforDiseaseControlandPrevention(CDC),adultsshouldparticipateinatleast150minutesofexerciseeachweek.TheCDCrecommendsbreakingthisdowninto10minuteincrements;forexample,takingthree10-minutewalks,fivedaysperweek.Thisnotonlymakesiteasiertogetinrecommendedamountsofexercise,butalsoensuresthatpeopleareactivethroughouttheweek.Inadditiontomovingmore,eatingadietthatislowinanimalfatandhighinfruitsandvegetablescanhelppreventcertaincancers.Formoretipsonhealthydietsandphysicalactivity,visitINShapeIndianaatwww.INShapeIndiana.org.

Reduce sun exposure.Tohelpreduceyoursunexposure,andriskofdevelopingskincancer,limitoravoidexposuretothesunduringpeakhoursandregularlywearsunscreenwithaSunProtectionFactor(SPF)of15orhigher.Formoreinformation,visittheOutruntheSunwebsiteatwww.outrunthesun.org.

CancerinIndianaisaburdenweallshare.It’simportantforallHoosierstounderstandhowwecanreduceourownrisk,andthentosharethatknowledgewithourfamily,friends,andneighbors.Together,wecanreducetheheavyburdenofcancerinIndiana.

The Torch6

Thanks to the Indiana Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics for this submission.

OctoberisNationalBreastCancerAwarenessMonthandoneofthemostwidelyrecognizedformsofcancer.Itshouldberememberedthatgoodnutritioncanloweryourriskofdevelopingmultipletypesofcancer.Infact,nutritionguidelinesforcancerpreventionaremuchlikethoserecommendedtopreventothermedicalconcernssuchas,heartdisease,diabetesandobesity.Althoughnoonefoodhasbeenproventopreventcancer,whatweeathasbeenlinkedtofightcancersbothdirectlyandindirectlyasnotedbytheAmericanCancerSociety’s(ACS)recommendationsfornutritionandphysicalactivity.ThefollowingtipsareacompilationofguidelinesfromtheACS,TheAcademyofNutritionandDieteticsandtheAmericanInstituteforCancerResearch,toguideyouonapathtocancerprevention:

Maintain a Healthy WeightBeasleanaspossiblewithoutbecomingunderweight.Researchdemonstratesastronglinkbetweenbodyfatandcancer.Consumingfoodsthatarehighincaloriesbutlowinnutrients,canleadtoweightgainanddecreasedappetiteforfoodsthathavemorecancerfightingproperties.Althoughscienceisn’texactlysurehow,these7cancersappeartohaveastrongerconnectiontoincreasedbodyfat:Esophagus,Pancreas,ColonandRectum,Breast(aftermenopause),Kidney,EndometrialandGallbladder.

Eat Vegetables, Fruits, Whole Grains and LegumesMake3/4ofyourplateplantbasedbyeatingmorefruitsandvegetables,includingbeans,andwholegrains.Researchshowsfruitsandvegetableslikelylowertheriskofthefollowingcancers:Lung,OralandEsophageal,StomachandColon.

Althoughit’sstilluncertainwhichspecificcomponentsprovideprotection,it’srecommendedthatwechooseanarrayofcolorfulfruitsandvegetablesandgrainsthatarewholeandlessrefinedtomaximizeourintake.Evidencesuggestsfoodshighindietaryfiber;vitamins,mineralsandphytonutrientsarehelpful.Considersomeofthefollowing:• Cruciferousanddark,leafygreen

vegetables:spinach,broccoli,cauliflower,Brusselssprouts,cabbage,collards,kale

• Fruits:citrus,berries,cherries• Whole-grains:oats,barley,bulgur,

whole-grainpastas,breads,cereals,crackers

• Legumes:driedbeansandpeas,lentils,soybeans

Monitor Meat PortionsConsumingadietthatincludesmeathasnotyetbeendefinitivelyshowntoeitherincreaseordecreasetheriskofcancer.Somestudiessuggestalinkbetweencoloncancerandeatinglargeamountsofredmeat,particularlyprocessedmeatsuchaslunchmeats,ham,baconandhotdogs,butthisresearchisnotconclusive.Animalproteinisacompleteproteinsourcethatprovidesallnineessentialaminoacidsandanappropriatewayformanytogetthisdailyrequirement.Itisrecommendedaswithallfoodsthatwemonitorportionsizebasedonourbodies’needs.

Eat Whole FoodsResearchsuggestssomerelationshipbetweenthenutrientsfoundnaturallyinfoodsandtheirprotectiveability.Whilesupplementscanbeusefulforthosewhoareunabletoeatordrinksomehealthfulfoods,thebestsourcefornutrientsingeneralarefoundinthewholefoodsfirst.Somesupplements

Make a few lifestyle and diet changes to prevent cancermaycauseharmfulinteractionswithmedicationsorothermedicalconditionsandshouldbecarefullyconsideredwiththeadviceofyourPhysician,PharmacistandRegisteredDietitian.Formoreinformationonthelatest“cancerfightingfoods”seetheAmericanInstituteforCancerResearch’swebsite.

Limit AlcoholEvidencesuggestsalltypesofalcoholicdrinkscouldincreasecancerrisk,particularlythoseofthemouth,pharynx,larynx,esophagus,breastandcolon.Ifyouconsumealcoholexpertsrecommendnomorethanonedrinkdailyforwomenandtwoformen.

Be Physically ActiveAsmentionedabove,weightiscloselyconnectedtoseveraltypesofcancers.Maintainingahealthyweightismorethanjusteatingtherightfoods.Engaginginregularexercisecanhelpreduceyourrisk,allowyoutomaintainahealthyweightandassistincontrolandpreventionofothermedicalconditions.Aminimumof30minutesofmoderatephysicalactivitymostdaysoftheweekisrecommended.Briskwalksatlunchoragameoftagwithyourkidsintheyardareacoupleofwaystoincreasedailyactivityabovethenormalroutine.

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Are you using all your available resources to prevent cancer?CancerhasbecomeoneoftheleadingcausesofdeathintheU.S.andhasaffectedmillionsofAmericansandthewaytheylive.Preventivecare,whichisofferedthroughyourStatemedicalinsurance,canhelpdetectthesymptomsofcancerandit’sofferedtoyouforfree!Someofthecancer-screeningservicesthatareavailablewithyourAnthembenefitsinclude:

• Mammograms:AccordingtoTheUnitedStatesPreventiveServicesTaskForce,itisrecommendedthatwomenaged50-74haveamammogramonceeverytwoyears.Womenyoungerthanage40whohaveahigherriskforbreastcancer(forexample,afamilyhistory)maybescreenedearlier.

• Pap smears:TheUnitedStatesPreventiveServicesTaskForcerecommendsscreeningforcervicalcancerinwomenages21to65yearswithcytology(Papsmear)every3yearsor,forwomenages30to65yearswhowanttolengthenthescreeninginterval,screeningwithacombinationofcytologyandhumanpapillomavirus(HPV)testingeveryfiveyears.

• Prostate cancer screening includingdigitalrectalexamandPSAtest.

Itisalsoimportanttorememberthathealthyhabitsarecriticaltopreventingtheonsetofcancer.Whilealotofquestionsarestillnotansweredabouthoworwhycertaincancersoccurinourbody,abalanceddietanddailyexercisecanreduce

yourriskfrommultipletypesofcancer.HealthyLifestyles,offeredthroughAnthem,canhelptrackyourcurrentprogressandeverydayhealthoritcanassistwithhabitsyouwouldliketoimproveon.WithinHealthyLifestyles,youcantrackyourexercise,gethealthyrecipesandjoinonlineforumswhereyoucanconnectwithotherswhohavesimilargoalstohelpyoustayontrack.

Anthem’sEmployeeAssistanceProgram(EAP)isanothertoolofferedtoStateEmployeesthatcanhelpyoufindresourcesandtoolsrelatedtomaintainingandimprovingnotonlyyourphysicalhealth,butalsoyourmentalhealth.EAPisavailabletoallStateofIndianaemployees,evenifyouarenotcoveredunderastatemedicalplan.Withmorethan200articlesoncancerandprevention,findinginformationcanbeaseasyasafewwordsinasearchbox.

Haveyouorafamilymemberrecentlybeenstrickenwiththenewsofcancer?AnthemEAPcanalsooffertelephonecounselingservices365daysayear,24hoursaday.Itiscompletelyconfidentialandcan

bebeneficialtobalancingyourgriefandeverydaylife.Youcanfindtheseresourcesatonlineortoll-freeat1-800-223-7723.

Ifaparticularcancerrunsinyourfamily,it’simportanttogettestedearly.Haveyoueverwonderedwhereyoucanfindscreeninglocations

andwaystoverifyifyourserviceswillbefreeorhowmuchtheywillcost?Castlightisagreattooltofindcancerpreventiveservicesandtestinginyourarea.SimplytypeintheprocedureorserviceyouwishtoreceiveandletCastlightdotheworkatsearchingforyou.Youcanfindmoreat:https://mycastlight.com/stateofindiana/

AswekickoffCancerAwarenessmonth,it’simportanttobemindfulofyourhealthandyourfamily’shealth.Asimple30minutevisitortestcouldsaveyourlife!

Ifyouhaveanyquestionsanybenefitsrelatedquestions,pleasecontacttheSPDBenefitsHotlineat317-232-1167(withinIndianapolis)ortoll-freeat877-248-0007(outsideIndianapolis).

The Torch8

Community involvement: Bicentennial Legacy Projects

Bicentennial

LegacyProjectNumberIBC-YE-26,“ATownBornofVictory”isavideoprojectabouttheTownofOrleansinOrangeCounty,Indiana.Orleans’nameistiedtotheAmericansdefeatingtheBritishatNewOrleans-anastoundingvictorythattoldtheworldthatthenewnationwasaforcetobereckonedwith.SamuelLewisandWilliamMcFarlandweresoinspiredthattheynamedthetowntheywereplattingoutintheIndianaTerritory“LittleOrleans.”

Orleans2015Bicentennialwillinclude:• “Orleans’200BirthdayParty”on

March11,2015• Aspecialcommemorativepostmark

willbeofferedthroughtheOrleansPostOffice

• TheannualDogwoodFestivalin2015willfeatureabicentennialbirthdaypartytheme.

• “ATownBornofVictory”videopremier

• “OrleansHomecoming”overthelongFourthofJulycelebration

VisitFacebookfordetails.

The Magic of Discovery: Where is Indiana’s “lost” centennial film?

In1916,a“movingpicture”becameapartofIndiana’scentennialcelebrationpromotions.Duringthefilming,weatherwasofteninclement.“Howeveritpresentsasuitableandcommendablepictureshow,suggestiveofincidentsinthehistoricallifeofIndiana.Ithasbeenshowninconnectionwithmanycelebrationsandisingreatdemandgenerally,”accordingtotheReportoftheIndianaHistoricalCommission,April24,1915toDecember1,1916.

SeligPolyscopeCompanyofChicagoproducedthepictureonnitratefilmwhichbecomeshighlyvolatilewithage.However,afewminutesoftransferredfootageexistsyettodayattheIndianaStateLibrary,theNationalArchivesandonYouTube.Istheremore?

WhileTedGreen,Indianapolisfilmmaker,wasdoingresearchfordocumentariesonbasketball’sRogerBrownandSlickLeonard,heunearthedanhistoricWWIeraIndianapolisfilm.ScenesincludedTeddyRoosevelt’sIndianapolisvisit,soldiersreturninghomefromWWIandthemovingofahotelwithrollersandhorsessotheWarMemorialcouldbebuilt.

“FindingthatoldcanisterattheStateLibrary,thenhavingEric[Grayson]digitizeitandseeingitforthefirsttime,itwaslikethemagicofdiscovery.Iwasblownaway,”saidGreen.Tothinkofhistoryslowlydeterioratinginmostlyunmarkedboxes.Imaginethepossibilities,andthecatastropheoflosingitforever.”

PleasesendanycentennialfilminformationtoDebWezensky.TolearnmoreaboutIndiana’sBicentennial,visitwww.indiana2016.org.

OctoberisNationalRideshareMonth,soCentralIndiana’srideshareprogram,CommuterConnect,isholdingachallengefromOct.1throughOct.31.Logyoursmartcommutesanytimeduringthemonth,andyou’llbeenteredforachancetowina$500Amazongiftcard,31-dayIndyGopass,agasgiftcardorabikeshopgiftcard.

Therearetwowaystowin.Signupforfreeatwww.commuterconnect.usandthenlogthetripsyoutaketoworkwhenyouridethebus,bike,carpool,vanpoolorwalk.Besurerecordyourcommutesatleastonceaweek–themoredaysyoulog,themorechancestowin.Setupthe“CommuteReminder”soyoucangetemailsortextsandrecordyourcommutewithoutlogginginandfromyoursmartphone.

Newthisyearisaselfiecontest.Postaselfiewiththe#IndyCommutehashtagonFacebook,TwitterorInstagram,andyou’llbeeligibleforweeklydrawingsforaniTunesgiftcards.

Tofindcarpoolandvanpoolpartnersorabikingbuddy,click“SignUp”onthehomepageofthewebsite.Bysigningup,thereisnocommitmenttocarpool,vanpoolorbiketowork;CommuterConnectonlyprovidespotentialmatchestohelpcommutersgetstartedwithoneoftheseoptions,iftheychoosetodoso.

Tolearnmore,visitCommuterConnect.us.

Join a rideshare and win in October!

Commuter Connect

The centennial film included President Woodrow Wilson’s visit, James Whitcomb Riley, the evolution of the street car and G.A.R. Encampment and parade, as well as 30,000 school children performing a flag drill.

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SPD

Going to retire soon? Plan to attend this free seminarIfyouareseriousaboutretiringfromstateemployment,registernowfortheupcomingPre-retirementSeminar.Theday-longworkshopis8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. onOctober 15intheIGC-SAuditorium.Anhourbreakforlunchisalsoincluded.Thisisthelastplannedsessionfor2014.

Thisprogramisdesignedtoassiststateemployeeswithadvanceretirementplanningbyprovidinginformationusefulinmakinginformeddecisions.Asoundretirementrequirescarefuladvanceplanninginvolvingnumerousinterrelatedtopics,including:• PublicEmployees’Retirement

Fund• SocialSecurityinformationand

options• Insurance–optionsforbothlife

andhealthinsurance• BenefitsobtainablethroughSocial

SecurityandMedicare• HoosierS.T.A.R.T.–prosandcons

ofdifferenttypesofinvestmentsforfutureretirementsecurity.

• Keyelementsinestateplanning,including:lastwilland

testament,livingwill,healthcareauthorization,durablepowerofattorney,anddeathtaxes.

• TheIndianaLong-TermCareProgramasanelementofretirementplanning.

Thisworkshopisfreeofcharge.EmployeesmayattendthePre-RetirementPlanningSeminaronstatetime;however,yoursupervisor’sapprovalisrequiredtoattend.PeopleSoftautomaticallysendsthispersonanemailaskinghim/hertoapproveyourenrollmentinthisseminar.Traveltimeandcostistheemployee’sresponsibility.

• Click here for instructions on how to register.

Yourspouseiswelcometoattend,butregistrationisnotnecessaryiftheyarenotastateemployee.Seatingislimited,soreserveyourseattodaybyself-enrollingintotheseminar.Questionsmaybedirectedtospdtraining@spd.in.gov.

TheHoosierYouthChallengeAcademyishostingaHaunted5kRun/WalkonOctober26startingat1p.m.Thecostis$25perpersonandkidsunder12runforfree.Thefirst100peopletoregisterreceiveafreescaryt-shirt.Bringthewholefamilytothiseventforabakesale,gamesandahauntedhouse!Registeratwww.hoosieryouthchallenge.org orbycalling317-507-0347.TheHoosierYouthChallengeAcademyislocatedat10892NorthStateRd140,Knightstown,Indiana46148.

Sign up for a Haunted 5K to support the Hoosier Youth Challenge Academy

Artwork by Jerry Williams

Fall festivals are coming to State Parks!

Autumn fun

EachStateParks&Reservoirspropertyoffersatleastonespecial,family-orientedfallfestivalweekend.Eachhasadifferentflavorbasedonhistoryandnaturalfeatures,butmostfeaturetrick-or-treating,campgrounddecoratingcontests,crafts,pumpkinsandmore.Seeacompletelistingshere.

MorespecialOctoberactivities:• Burnthemidnightoilwiththe

naturalistsforoursixthseasonofsaw-whetowlbandingatIndianaDunesStatePark.Signupforalerts

• BikeBackinTimeonascenicridearoundMonroeLakeonOct.5or18.Registrationrequired

• CamouflagetheDuckBlindsatMonroeLake’sStillwater-NorthforkWildlifeAreaonOct.4.Helpclean,repair,andcamouflagethewaterfowlblindsfortheupcominghuntingseason.

• PioneerDayatMoundsStateParkonOct.11.Flint-knapping,Dutchovencookingandlaundrywashingtheold-fashionedway.

The Torch10

Congratulations to the Steps Challenge team and individual winners!Date(s) Time(s) Agency/Location Address

10/1/2014 7:30a.m.–10:30a.m. GreenfieldINDOT 32SouthBroadway,Greenfield,IN4614010/2/2014 2pm–3:30pm IndianaSchoolfortheBlind

andVisuallyImpaired7725N.CollegeAve.,Indianapolis,IN46240

10/7/2014 1p.m.–4p.m. DOC-PEN,IREF 2010EastNewYorkStreet,Indianapolis,IN46201

10/08,10/09 8a.m.–4p.m. IndianaGovernmentCenterSouth

Indianapolis

10/9/2014 9a.m.–11a.m. LakeCountyDCS 661BroadwaySt.Gary,IN10/14/2014 12p.m.–2p.m. MonroeCountyDCS 1781West3rdStreetBloomington,IN

4740410/17/2014 9a.m.–11a.m. JohnsonCountyDCS 1784E.JeffersonSt.Franklin,IN4613110/22/2014 8a.m.–4p.m. IndianaStatehouse Indianapolis10/22/2014 9a.m.–11a.m. DepartmentofRevenue 7811MilhouseRd.,Indianapolis,IN46241

Flu shot clinics around the state:

Allgamesbeginat7:15p.m.unlessotherwisenoted.

Games Dates Available for Discount*:10/18-Saturdayvs.Gwinnett11/01-Saturdayvs.Indianapolis11/19-Wednesdayvs.Greenville12/05-Fridayvs.Kalamazoo12/20-Saturdayvs.Reading12/31-Wednesdayvs.Toledo01/03-Saturdayvs.Kalamazoo01/17-Saturdayvs.Cincinnati02/07-Saturdayvs.Indianapolis03/14-Saturdayvs.Orlando03/20-Fridayvs.Florida03/29-Sundayvs.SouthCarolinaat5pm

Seating Prices Clubsectionregularprice:$28DiscountedRate:$21CenterIceregularprice:$24DiscountedRate:$18Cornersregularprice:$20DiscountedRate:$15Goalzonesregularprice:$18DiscountedRate:$13

*Foradditionalregulargamesatthediscountedratecontact:EvanSchludecker,812-463-6394

Location:TheFordCenter-Evansville,INWebsite:www.evansvilleicemen.comOffer expires on March 29, 2015Proofofemploymentnotnecessaryforpurchase.Offerisgoodforemployees,families,andfriends

Exclusions:• Ticketsmustbepurchased

inadvanceofgamedateinordertoreceiveticketdiscountthroughIceMenTicketRepEvanSchludecker.

• DiscountedticketscannotberedeemedorpurchasedatTheFordCenterBoxOfficeondayofthegame.

Evansville IceMen’s state employee discounts details