Have you experienced a Life Event?

When you elect a Health and Dental option, you are locked in at that level until the next re-enrolment period, which is every 2 years. However, if you experience a Life Event during a plan year that affects your coverage needs, you may make changes to your benefit options without waiting until the next re-enrolment period.

Any of the following is considered a Life Event:

• Acquiring a spouse
• Acquiring a child (birth, adoption or step-child)
• Gain or involuntary loss of similar coverage through your spouse’s group benefit program (for example, because of a change in your spouse’s employment status)
• Death of your spouse or child
• Your spouse or child ceasing to qualify for coverage (for example, through divorce or your child’s attainment of a limiting age)

For more information see your benefits booklet.

What do you do if you experience a Life Event?

If you experience a Life Event, contact Human Resource Services with your details no later than 60 days after the Life Event occurs. If you are electing to change your Flex Option and it is not reported within 60 days of the Life Event, the change will not take effect until the next re-enrolment date.

Additionally, any time you experience a Life Event resulting in a change to your family status, you should review your beneficiary designation.

For more information on your Flex Options, refer to your benefits booklet.

Coordination of Benefits

Coordination of Benefits, or COB, is a benefit claim procedure developed by the Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association for individuals covered under two or more Health and/or Dental policies.

Applying this procedure ensures that you and your dependents receive the maximum eligible benefits available from all policies under which you are covered. It also outlines the method used for determining where to submit your claims first.

An EOB (also called a payment summary) is a letter from the insurance company which is sent to you with the claim reimbursement. It outlines the amount of the expense and how much of it was reimbursed. For drug claims paid via your drug card, your pharmacy receipt is considered your EOB.

Here is how COB works:

Your Own Expenses

1. Submit your claim to your Great-West Life plan.
2. If a portion of your claim is not covered by the Great-West Life plan (such as a deductible, coinsurance or an amount over a maximum), submit the EOB form from Great-West Life to your spouse’s plan (if you have family coverage) for reimbursement of the remaining portion.
3. If a portion of the claim is still not reimbursed, you may submit the EOB form from your spouse’s insurer to your Health Care Spending Account.
4. If your spouse has a Health Care Spending Account, this plan would be the last payor.

Your Spouse’s Expenses

1. Your spouse will first submit their own claim to their own insurer.
2. If a portion of their claim is not payable under their own plan, the EOB can be submitted to your Great-West Life plan, if you have family coverage.
3. If a portion of their claim is still not payable, the remaining portion can be submitted to your spouse’s Health Care Spending Account, if applicable.
4. The last payor for your spouse’s expenses is your Health Care Spending Account.

Your Dependent Child’s Expenses

1. If both your Great-West Life plan and your spouse’s plan include coverage for dependent children, the claims should first be submitted to the plan of the parent whose birth date is earlier in the calendar year. For example, if your birth date is February and your spouse’s birth date is August, the claim should first be submitted to your Great-West Life plan. (In situations where you and your spouse have the same birth date, the claim should be submitted to the plan of the parent whose first name begins with the earlier letter in the alphabet.)
2. If the first payor doesn’t cover the full expense, the EOB can be forwarded to the other parent’s plan. Regardless of the above rules, if the parents are separated or divorced, the first payor is the insurer of the parent with custody of the child, then the plan of the spouse of that parent, then the plan of the parent not having custody of the child and finally the plan of the spouse of that parent.
3. Health Care Spending Accounts are the final payors. To determine which Health Care Spending Account the remaining portion of the expense should be submitted to first, apply the birth date rule as described in step 1.

Supporting Your Wellness

The LifeWorks website contains useful tools and articles to help you and your family. You even have access to seminars at www.lifeworks.com.

Explore strategies to help you preserve your emotional well-being by checking out these recommended resources:

• Podcast – Making Positive Choices
• New Seminar – A New Attitude: The Truth About Mental Illness

Red River Rebel Riders 2014: Deron, Marnie, Mar-Zeus, Miguel, Guy, Dayna, and Mike by the fire at the end of day-1.

September 12th and 13th, your intrepid Red River Rebel Riders (rrrr…) will be cycling their 12th MS Riding Mountain Challenge (a biker’s dozen). Their goal? Raise another $5,000 for MS! Guy Dugas, Dayna Graham, Michael Poitras, and Deron Warkentin have signed up from the Roblin Campus, and new members Kristen Cameron and Tyler Steiner have joined the team from Notre Dame. This is the call for a few more of you to come on board.

How can you help?

Simple. You can join the team or support us with a donation, or both!

Canada has the highest rate of MS in the world. 100% of the money we raise goes directly to MS research and valuable services for families affected by Multiple Sclerosis.

• Join the 2015 team. It’s a beautiful 150 km round trip ride through Riding Mountain National Park. We drive to Dauphin Friday the 11th after work, cycle Dauphin to Clear Lake the morning of the 12th and back to Dauphin on the 13th, getting back to Winnipeg early that evening. Sign up and train with us through August to get in shape for the big ride! Email Guy Dugas (guy@spright.ca) for details or simply click here and then click on the Join team button.
• Donate securely online by clicking on any team member’s name at this site. All monies raised go to supporting those suffering with MS or to MS research.

Together we can end MS.

Dig out your ball and glove and come out for a fun and friendly competition at the 9th annual Red River College’s Staff Co-ed Slow-Pitch Community Event!

You can register as a team or register as an individual and be placed on a team. Teams consist of at least TEN players and must have a minimum of FOUR females playing in each inning. Every team can play up to three games.

The event takes place on June 4th from 9:30am to 4 pm at the John Blumberg Park ball diamonds, at 4540 Portage Ave. Registration is available from the RRC Wellness Blog page or by contacting “Super” Mario De Negri (mdenegri@rrc.ca).

Each player must contribute $15.00, which covers park fees, use of equipment, and a lunch. Please state if you are a vegetarian in your registration. This will also get you one raffle ticket to win one of many prizes through out the day. Make cheques payable to Red River College Slow-pitch event.

You can also register to play one of our many Low Organized Games such as bocce and ladder toss or bring a musical instrument to jam if slow pitch isn’t your forte but would like to be a part of the event. $15.00 will also include a lunch and raffle ticket.

If you feel you would just like to come out for the day or even a few hours please feel welcome at no cost. Food cannot be paid for on the day of the event to RRC.

This is an eco-friendly event so please minimize all waste. Bring reusable water bottles or jugs as water is not supplied at the diamonds but refilling can be done in the clubhouse. Pack out what you pack in. Bring your own gloves, sun lotion, and hat.

Registration deadline is May 25th,2015

Location of the tournament is John Blumberg, 4540 Portage ave. Every registered player will be forwarded game rules and a game schedule.

Directions to John Blumberg is head west on portage ave just passing the perimeter. It will be on the south side.

Slow Pitch Registration 2015

Paramedical Coverage

As part of Red River College’s group benefits, Benefit Eligible Employees may have coverage for the following professional services. Your coverage is based on your Flex Option choice.

• Audiologists
• Athletic Therapists
• Chiropractors
• Dieticians
• Massage Therapists
• Naturopaths
• Osteopaths
• Physiotherapists
• Podiatrists/Chiropodists
• Psychologists/Social Workers
• Speech Therapists

For detailed paramedical coverage information refer to your benefits booklet.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month[1]

Mental health is key to being truly healthy. Mental health involves how we interact with the world around us and how we feel, think and act. Mental health is not about achieving the ‘perfect life’ by avoiding problems. Mental well-being is much more than the presence or absence of a mental illness; rather it is about living well and feeling capable despite challenges.

Each person’s path to mental well-being is different and unique just as each person’s goals, challenges, talents and supports are. Maintaining your mental health requires effort every day, but the rewards are great! Everyone can achieve good mental health! Here are some tips and activities to apply on a regular basis to help you get started:

• Build a healthy self-esteem – Self-esteem is being able to see all of your abilities and weaknesses together, accepting them, and doing your best with what you have. Take a look at your skills and interests, and then what you have difficulty with. All of us have our positive and negative sides. Build confidence by developing weaker areas and regularly reminding yourself of the things you’re comfortable and proud of.
• Build a positive support network – Social support is a very important part of mental health and people in our networks can offer many different kinds of support. Make time to just be with important people in your life.
• Get involved – You make a difference, and being involved in the things that matter to us provides a great feeling of satisfaction and purpose. Getting involved connects you with others, builds confidence and promotes personal growth. Read to children, serve on a committee or board of your favorite charity, or simply help a neighbor.
• Build resiliency – Stress is a normal part of life. Resiliency means coping well with problems, stress, and other difficult situations that are a normal part of life. Build a resiliency tool kit that might include skills like problem solving, assertiveness, and balancing obligations and expectations.

For more mental health information including more tips and activities visit the Canadian Mental Health Association website.

Supporting Your Wellness

The LifeWorks website contains useful tools and articles to help you and your family. You even have access to seminars at www.lifeworks.com.

Whether you have questions about bedtime routines, or if you’re struggling to set limits, LifeWorks can help you find solutions to your family’s sleep issues! Check out these recommended resources:

• Podcast – Helping Your Child Get a Good Night’s Sleep
• New Seminar – Positive Discipline

[1] Mental Health – Why is your mental health so important? Canadian Mental Health Association. 2015.

Thursday April 23

South Gym will be closed from 8am to 4pm due to exams

Friday April 24

South Gym will be closed from 8am to 4pm due to exams

North Gym will be closed all day and evening due to exams

Loft will be open from 6:30am to 8am and 4pm to 6:45pm

Monday April 27 to Friday May 1

South Gym will be closed from 8am to 4pm due to exams

North Gym will be closed all day and evening due to exams

Loft will be open from 6:30am to 8am and 4pm to 6:45pm

Have you ever been so tired that you can barely keep your eyes open? Or how about that horrible groggy, sluggish feeling after a night of tossing and turning that no matter how much coffee you drink, doesn’t go away?

Hopefully, you don’t feel this way often. If you do, you’re probably suffering from lack of sleep or poor quality sleep. Both can be detrimental to your daily functioning and ability to pay attention and do well at school.

If you want to do something about feeling so tired (who wouldn’t?), try these tips for getting some high quality shut-eye:

• Create a healthy sleep environment. Ensure your bedroom temperature is on the cool side and that your room is dark. You also might want to try some white-noise in the background. This could be a fan on a low setting or some soothing, soft music.
• Exercise: Being physically active during the day can help regulate your sleep pattern. Just be sure to try and finish physical activity at least three hours before bedtime.
• Park it. Set aside some time an hour before you head to bed to make a to-do list for the next day. This will free up your mind for the night and enhance the quality of your sleep. Just promise yourself once the list is complete, that’s it for the night!
• Head to bed and wake up at the same time. Get in the habit of going to sleep and waking up at the same time every day, even on the weekends (I know, this can be tough). This will help regulate your body’s internal clock, which will make it easier to get up and start the day without feeling sluggish.
• Wind your mind and body down. Do something relaxing before you sleep. Reading a book or listening to calming music are both good winding-down activities. Try to stay away from electronic screens (laptop, smartphone) right before heading to sleep as the brightness stimulates your brain and can make you feel alert. Still not sleepy? Try drinking some warm milk or having a light snack.
• Deep breathing. Thinking about your breathing as you lay in bed can help calm you down and reduce anxiety. Here is one breathing exercise you might want to try.
• Reflect. Think about what you did that day, everything you accomplished and things that you’re grateful for. This will leave you feeling calm and positive as you drift off.

Want more info on sleep? Visit the National Sleep Foundation.

Using drugs or alcohol is a personal choice. Some students don’t use either, while others choose to use one or both recreationally, or more often.

If you are choosing to use drugs or alcohol, it’s important to keep in mind how they can affect you. It’s also important to know that if you think your drinking or drug use is problematic, that there are many resources available to you.

Only you can truly know whether or not your consumption of alcohol and drugs is a problem. If you’re not sure if you have a problem but want to try taking more control of your alcohol or drug use, here are some strategies that may be helpful.

• Make a list of the advantages and disadvantages of your alcohol or drug use. Which list is longer? Do you want the disadvantages list to shrink?
• Keep a journal of your alcohol or drug consumption. At the end of two weeks, look back at what you wrote down. Did you consume more or less than you expected? How does this information make you feel?
• Get some feedback from someone you really trust. Do they think there is cause for concern?
• Try limiting your exposure to social events that involve alcohol and drugs. How do you feel about not being there? Do you miss hanging out with friends, the alcohol or drugs, or both?
• Think about what emotions trigger your alcohol consumption and drug use. Do you tend to drink or use drugs when you feel certain emotions? Are there any alternatives to dealing with these feelings?
• You may want to try a month of abstinence. Is it easy or difficult for you to stop your alcohol or drug use?

Counselling and Accessibility Services is there to help if you are dealing with substance abuse or addiction. If you would like to make an appointment, please complete the online intake form and someone will contact you to set up an appointment.

Being true to yourself

Coming out as gay or lesbian is an amazing time because it means you’re ready to be 100 per cent true to yourself. But it can also be scary for some people.

It’s important to accept and like yourself for who you are. Your sexual identity is a part of you, but it’s not everything about who you are. You are still the same person you always have been, you are now just sharing another piece of your identity that was always there.

Preparing to come out

When you are coming out to your family and friends, sadly, there are some things you should consider in order to protect yourself. Unfortunately, some people may not accept you right away and others may not want to continue a friendship with you. If you are coming out, look for hints about what people’s beliefs systems are ahead of time. Do they know other LGBTT* people? Have they demonstrated openness and acceptance of the LGBTT* community or have they shown intolerance and discrimination? The answers to these questions can give you clues about how people might react, but keep in mind that some people who you thought were accepting may show they are not, and people who you thought were discriminatory might surprise you.

Preparing yourself emotionally for whatever the outcome might be is important. Sometimes you end up having to be a support to people that might become emotional themselves, so when you are coming out, it is important to be in a place where you’re comfortable with who you are and are strong in your sense of self. This is one of the few times in life when a special moment that should be all about you (coming out) can turn into a moment that’s all about them! Be ready to be a support or offer people you are coming out to more information.

Something else to consider when coming out is your safety. Safety comes in many forms — this can be your physical safety but also safety in terms of housing and support. If you come out to your family, will they be accepting? Will you be allowed to stay at home or is your housing at risk? Are you financially dependent on your family? Will this be cut off? If you think these things may be at risk, consider this in your decision to come out to your family and how you may need to make plans that will ensure your safety and well-being.

Supports at RRC

At the College, you will have a lot of support if you choose to come out. Counselling and Accessibility Services has counsellors who are available to support students around personal issues such as coming out, as well as academic issues.

Red River College also has an LGBTT* Initiative Program that identifies, trains and supports allies at the College. The Initiative works to create a safe and inclusive environment at the College so all students have the opportunity to learn and feel supported.

There is also a new LGBTT student group that has formed at Red River College. Information on this group can be found on their Facebook page.

Supports in the community

Outside of the College, there are many great supports and ways to get involved in the LGBTT* community. The Rainbow Resource Centre provides counselling and support, access to resources and a library and ways to get involved in social events and with volunteer opportunities. The Centre can also help connect you with other community groups, supports and services outside of the College.

What kind of supports did you find helpful when you were coming out? Tell us in the comment section below!

April is Cancer Awareness Month

2 in 5 Canadians will develop cancer in their lifetime and about 1 in 4 Canadians will die of cancer.[1]

In 2014, it is estimated that 191,300 Canadians will develop cancer and 76,600 will die of cancer. [2] April is Daffodil Month. The daffodil is considered a symbol of strength and courage by the Canadian Cancer Society. Funds raised during Daffodil Month are used to lend a helping hand for families and those receiving treatment for cancer, fund lifesaving clinical trials, advocate for cancer patients and provide access to services in your community.

For more information on Daffodil Month, please visit: http://www.cancer.ca/en/get-involved/events-and-participation/find-an-event-near-you/daffodil-month/?region=mb

Prevention

There are a number of factors that contribute to whether you are susceptible to cancer. You can help minimize your risk by[3]:

1. Quitting smoking and limiting your exposure to second hand smoke.
2. Eating a healthy diet with lots of vegetables, fruit and fibre with little fat and sugar.
3. Keeping physical activity as an important part of your day with at least 30 minutes of moderate activity a day.
4. Be aware of your family genetics.
5. Reducing your alcohol intake.
6. Being safe in the sun by covering up, wearing sunglasses, using sunscreen and staying hydrated.
7. Getting the right amount of Vitamin D.
8. Monitoring environmental factors such as what household cleaners are being used and what residues are left behind especially if you have young infants and toddlers who spend an ample amount of time on the floor.

Screening

You know your body better than any one else as you will know what is normal for you. When cancer is found early, it is often easier to treat. Having regular checkups with your doctor will help reduce the risk of a health problem being ignored. Screening tests help find some types of cancer before you have any symptoms. Talk to your doctor to learn more about your risk of cancer and what screening tests you should have. Be sure to mention any family history of cancer.

Benefits and risks of screening[4]:

Benefits:

• Better survival rates
• Better quality of life

Risks:

• False positive results
• False negative results
• Over-diagnosis
• Increased exposure to harmful procedures

Upcoming Events

There are a number of events throughout the year all over Manitoba in support of the Canadian Cancer Society and the fight against cancer.

Relay for Life – numerous dates based on location from May to July across the province

River City Dragon Boat Festival – June 5 & 6 at the Manitoba Water Ski Park

Walk Because You Can – June 13 at Assiniboine Park

Manitoba Dragon Boat Festival – September 11 – 13 at The Forks

If you enjoy the intrinsic benefits of being a volunteer, consider supporting the Canadian Cancer Society and volunteering your time and skills to a wonderful cause. There are a variety of volunteer opportunities available.

For more information about fundraising events and to access the volunteer application form, please visit www.cancer.ca.

Supporting Your Wellness

The LifeWorks website contains useful tools and articles to help you and your family. You even have access to seminars at www.lifeworks.com.

This month the recommended seminar is ‘A Personal Guide to Managing Change’. Learn how to thrive through change throughout your life!

Did You Know?

STRATA Select Blackline Safety (a division of Blackline GPS) offers the highest technology in worldwide personal safety devices.

The safety device will send an alarm when:

1. There is a fall or collision sensed by the device.
2. There is no motion sensed by the device (e.g. person is unconscious).
3. The user activates the silent Alert.
4. The user activates the audible alarm (used if there may be people near your vicinity to help).

Once the alarm is triggered:

1. A text and email are instantly sent to the people that have been identified or to 3rd party monitoring personnel.
2. An email will also be sent identifying the exact location the incident occurred and what triggered the alarm.

These safety devices can provide improved safety for:

• Outdoor activities (hunting, fishing, snowmobiling, quading, cross-country skiing, etc.)
• Seniors living at home
• Anytime someone is alone

Log on to your STRATA Select website for more information.

Login: rrc              Password: voluntary

[1] Canadian Cancer Statistics 2014. www.cancer.ca/statistics. 2014.

[2] Canadian Cancer Statistics 2014. www.cancer.ca/statistics. 2014.

[3] Canadian Cancer Society. Prevention & Screening. www.cancer.ca. 2014

[4] Canadian Cancer Society. Prevention & Screening. www.cancer.ca. 2014

It may sound simple, but one way to help maintain a balanced mood is to eat healthy. Just as there is a relationship between food and our bodies, there is a connection between food and our minds.

Eating lots of fruits and vegetables is always good for us, but there are also other foods containing important vitamins and minerals that contribute to our overall mental health. Here are some to be sure to grab the next time you’re out grocery shopping!

• Beans, peas and lentils 


Folic acid is one of the B vitamins that’s linked to the “feel good” chemicals in the brain — serotonin, dopamine and norepinephrine. This is why people with a folate-deficiency have been found to experience symptoms such as irritability, fatigue and depression.
B vitamins including folate are destroyed by substances such as alcohol, refined sugars and nicotine and are not stored in the body long-term so you have to make sure to consumer them regularly.

• Nuts and seeds

People with low levels of selenium, an important mineral for overall brain functioning, tend to feel more anxious, depressed and tired. Brazil nuts as well as pumpkin and sunflower seeds are a great source of selenium, so head out to Bulk Barn this week and stock up! Your mood will thank you.

• Whole grains


Zinc plays a role in modulating the brain and body’s response to stress and a zinc-deficiency can lead to symptoms of depression. Whole grains such as whole wheat bread and pasta, wild rice and quinoa contain high levels of zinc.

Whole grains are also naturally rich in an amino acid called tryptophan, which your body needs to produce serotonin and melatonin. Serotonin, the “feel-good hormone,” improves mood and relaxes brain and body, while melatonin helps establish and maintain steady sleep cycles. All in all, whole grains are pretty awesome so make sure you’re getting your three to five servings per day!

• Salmon and tuna


Studies suggest that Omega-3 Fatty Acids have a mood-stabilizing effect and may protect against depression and other mood disorders. Other sources of omega-3 Fatty Acids include canola, flax seed or walnuts.

Click here for more information on the relationship between food and mental health.

Thanks to Kathleen McClinton, registered dietician, for sharing information and insight that helped to create this blog post.