See the attached 2012 Health Observances Calendar for significant health related events throughout the year.

Join us for these upcoming benefits workshops in January and February sponsored by the Peralta District Benefits Office. All Staff, Faculty and Retirees are welcome to attend!

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) requires employers to report the aggregate cost of employersponsored group health plan coverage on their employees’ Forms W-2. The purpose of the reporting requirement is to provide information to employees regarding how much their health coverage costs.

See the attached document for a table of IRS indexed figures for 2012 in comparison to 2011 figures.

The District is offering and early retirement incentive for current, active and eligible employees. Read the newsletter for details.

Take our employee/retiree activity survey – how do you want to have fun with the Peralta Community? Interested in a group cruise? Do you want to help plan the District-wide picnic for peralta employees, retirees at Marine World/Six Flags in Vallejo? Answer a few questions, give us your feedback?

Take the Survey Here

President Obama has signed H.R. 2 which is the Children’s Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009.  It is the purpose of this Act to provide dependable and stable funding for children’s health insurance under titles XXI and XIX of the Social Security Act in order to enroll all six million uninsured children who are eligible, but not enrolled, for coverage today through such titles.
 
If you would like to know additional information about H.R. 2, please click: 
http://www.govtrack.us/congress/bill.xpd?bill=h111-2&tab=summary  or HR2 (PDF) 

Tomorrow, you walk into Wal-Mart...and you see signs everywhere which say:

*** NEW PRODUCT NOW BE OFFERED AT WAL-MART ***
*** DISCOUNTED LEGAL SERVICES ***

The benefits of the plan Wal-Mart now offers includes the following...

• Fill prescriptions at thousands of participating pharmacies across the country
• Enjoy the ease of home prescription delivery from the mail service pharmacy
• Look up your prescription history and benefit information on the Internet

Though the common cold and seasonal influenza share several symptoms, there are points of differentiation that will help you identify which you may have and seek proper treatment. It is important to tell the difference, as the flu can result in more serious health complications, while the cold likely will not.

Maintaining good posture is a simple yet effective way to keep the structures in the back and spine in good working order. In fact, good posture and back support are essential in reducing back and neck pain. Even sitting at a desk all day can wreak havoc on the back and neck, and result in painful strains.

Vision problems affect one in 20 preschoolers and one in four school-aged children. Vision problems can begin at an early age; therefore it is important that children receive proper eye care. Untreated problems can worsen and lead to permanent vision loss and delayed development. Because it is possible for your child to have a serious vision problem without being aware of it, infants should be screened for common eye problems during their regular pediatric appointments.

H1N1 flu is an infection caused by the influenza A virus. It is a respiratory disease of pigs; however, human cases of H1N1 have been identified in the U.S. as well as internationally. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has determined that H1N1 is contagious and is spreading from human to human.

Sun exposure is the most preventable risk factor for skin cancer, including melanoma. You can have fun in the sun and decrease your risk of skin cancer. Here are some tips on how to safely enjoy your time in the sun.

Caffeine myth or caffeine fact? It's not always easy to know. Chances are you have some real misperceptions about caffeine. For starters, do you know the most common sources of caffeine? Well, maybe two of the sources aren't too hard to name -- coffee and tea leaves. But did you know kola nuts and cocoa beans are also included among the most common caffeine sources? And do you know how much caffeine content can vary from food to food? Turns out it's quite a lot actually, depending on the type and serving size of a food or beverage and how it's prepared.

The holidays are here and it’s usually a time of celebration but for some, it may be a time of self-evaluation, reflection on the past and even anxiety about the upcoming year. Sometimes, we feel the stress that accompanies the holidays and our eating habits may have an effect on our job performance.

Truth or myth: You need 8 hours every night? Stay up and read this tonight (you’ll thank us in the morning!)

Is bottled water better than tap? Prepare to be shocked. Bottled water - already a more than $10 billion industry - is the fastest-growing beverage category in the U.S. But is it good for you? Here's the pure truth.

The Internal Revenue Service today announced an increase in the optional standard mileage rates for the final six months of 2011. Taxpayers may use the optional standard rates to calculate the deductible costs of operating an automobile for business and other purposes.

Congress has not acted to extend the monthly allowable transit benefit that was increased as a part of The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. The Transit Benefit extension was not included in the Temporary Payroll Tax Cut Continuation Act of 2011, which extended the payroll tax cut for 2 months and was signed into law by the President. As a result, effective January 1, 2012, the monthly limits are as follows:

Transit: $125   -   Parking: $240

Effective immediately, employers are required to provide a reasonable space and time for nursing mothers for one year after their child’s birth. This space must be an enclosed location, other than a restroom, and protected from intrusion of the public and coworkers.

Great News!! Today, the IRS released Notice 2008-104, which delays the need for all pharmacies and drug stores to implement an Inventory Information Approval System (IIAS) or certify that 90% of their gross receipts were derived from the purchase of eligible medical expenses in order for payment cards to be used at their locations.