New Items and Upcoming Event

-Preferred Hospital List effective February 1, 2012

-Participating Walk-In Clinics - updated January, 2012

-The State Employee Health Commission is engaged in the competitive bid process for the group health plan. The plan will continue to be administered by Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield through at least June 30, 2012. There will be no changes to benefits or premium rates prior to July 1, 2012. More information will be posted as it becomes available. (*Please note, this does not affect State of Maine retirees who qualify for Medicare.)

-Congratulations to Janice Arsenault, Health and Wellness Director for State of Maine Department of Transportation! Janice was the winner of the Dr. Oz "Care About Your Care" contest.

-State Employee Health Commission: Next meeting will be held on 2/9/2012.

-Deferred Compensation Advisory Council: Next meeting will be held on 3/29/2012.

Other items of interest:

-Considering retiring from the State of Maine? Check out our newly revised Pre-Retirement Guide

-The State Employee Health Commission announces the renewal of the State of Maine Medicare Retiree Health Plan effective January 1, 2012. This notice was mailed to the members of the Anthem Medicare Preferred PPO Health Plan December 1, 2011.

-To learn more about the new way preferred hospitals are determined please see the new methodology and the comparative hospital payment report.

-Health Insurance Changes Resulting from Biennial Budget

-GetBetterMaine.org - your new link to the Maine doctor and hospital ratings. A physician practice is considered preferred if they rate Good, Better or Best in at least two categories. The hospital ratings are informational and cannot be used to determine preferred status.

-The State of Maine Wellness Centers have a new website! www.wellnessworksme.org. Also check out the State of Maine Gym Program.

-Join the Diabetes Self-Management Program and save money at the pharmacy too! First-time enrollees may enroll in the basic program. Graduates of the basic program may now enroll in the TDES2 program. For more information, go to the TDES home page or contact Phonse Allen-Laney at Medical Care Development by e-mail or (207)622-7566, ext. 252. (all inquiries are confidential.)

-Get on the pathway to better health! The Maine Aligning Forces for Quality ("AF4Q") effort has just launched Twitter and Facebook pages to help Maine people manage and prevent chronic disease.

*Please note: the Workers' Compensation section of this site is currently under construction. Questions may be directed to 287-6655.

Frank A. Johnson, Executive Director
#114 State House Station
220 Capitol Street
Augusta, ME  04333-0114
(207)287-6780

Contact Us if you have any questions about our benefit programs or if you need to follow up on an application you submitted. Forgot an item at a recent meeting? Contact Heather Sargent for Lost and Found.

EMPLOYEE HEALTH COMMISSION: 2012 Meeting Schedule.