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Focus on safetyne of the primary responsibilities ofany employer is to protect the safetyand health of employees in the

workplace.

The best way to protect against accidentsin the workplace is to institute a safety planthat identifies hazards and the stepsnecessary to address them.

Regular inspections are an essential part ofany workplace safety plan. Inspections mayinclude the identification and evaluation ofworkplace hazards and patterns of work-related injury and illness, as well as trainingand assistance designed to prevent work-related injury and illness.

Regular inspections underline a business’scommitment to safety and health and canhelp create a culture of safety amongemployees. But policies, procedures, andinspections can only go so far. A companyand its leaders need to visibly demonstratesupport for workplace safety.

One way is to make safety a topic atmanagement meetings. Another is toconnect the evaluation of managers tothe safety record of their departments.Companies should include safety training

in all new hire orientation sessions and setaside specific training time for hazardouswork environments.

Workplace safety is something thatcompanies can measure and manage.Safety is not an “add-on” — it should beincorporated into a company’s standardoperating procedures. It’s simple, but true:There’s only one way to do business andthat’s the right and safe way to do business.

Plus, workplace safety is good for business.According to the Occupational Safety andHealth Administration’s (OSHA) Office ofRegulatory Affairs, businesses can see asavings of $4 to $6 for every $1 invested insafety. A poll of executives taken by LibertyMutual showed that for every $1 spent onworkplace safety, they saw a savings of atleast $3.

The leading causes of serious work-relatedinjuries are:• Overexertion• Falls on the same level• Falls to a lower level• Being struck by an object

What should workers do if they discover apotential hazard?

1. Make everyone in the workplace awareof the situation and its seriousness.

2. Immediately notify their supervisor.3. Complete a report about the situation.4. Follow up their report to see what

action was taken.

What safety tips should you giveemployees whose jobs require lifting?1. Plan the lift.2. Wear nonskid shoes and make sure you

have firm footing.3. Bend your knees, tighten your stomach

muscles, and keep your back straight.4. Be sure to have a firm grip on the item

being lifted.5. Lift smoothly, avoid twisting your body,

and push rather than pull.Source: OSHA

UPMC Work Partners — which is part ofthe UPMC Insurance Services Division —provides business organizations andgovernment agencies with a full range ofservices, from claims/case management andoccupational health services to workers’compensation and disability managementservices.

To learn more about the services of WorkPartners, contact your UPMC HEALTH PLAN

account manager. �

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New Member Advocate Programhen you have an advocate, you’vegot someone on your side —someone who can offer you

support and assistance. As members ofUPMC HEALTH PLAN, your employees nowhave a Member Advocate — a personalcontact they can call when they need helpunderstanding their coverage.

The UPMC HEALTH PLAN MemberAdvocate Program is free to all members.Health Plan Member Advocates are advisorswho can help your employees when theyneed to make important decisions abouttheir medical, vision, dental, or pharmacy

benefits. These personal advocates alsoserve as links to other UPMC HEALTH

PLAN staff, such as health coaches and caremanagers.

A Member Advocate will contact membersby phone to welcome them to the program.The advocate will also call them from timeto time to let them know about benefitenhancements and to provide preventivecare reminders.

Members can also call and speak to theirMember Advocate about any topic relatingto their coverage. To contact a Member

Advocate or learn more about our MemberAdvocate Program, your employees can callMember Services at 1-888-876-2756.W

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MedExpress Urgent Care clinics now inUPMC Health Plan network

ow that MedExpress Urgent Careclinics are part of the UPMCHealth Plan network, your

employees won’t have to wait for care ifthey’re feeling sick and their doctor’soffice is closed.

MedExpress Urgent Care is a full-servicemedical clinic offering professionaltreatment for injury and illness to all agegroups. These clinics provide walk-inservices for a defined range of health-related issues, including treatment ofminor ailments, health screenings, andsome vaccinations. However, MedExpressUrgent Care centers are not designed toreplace primary care physicians.

By including MedExpress Urgent Careclinics in the network, the Health Planprovides access to medical treatment athours when a physician is not available.The convenience of these clinics mayenable your employees to avoid anemergency room visit and may reducesome of their health care costs.

No appointment or referral is needed tovisit a MedExpress Urgent Care clinic.Members will be required to pay acopayment at the time of the visit. Theamount will be the same as the plan’scopayment for a specialist visit.

Here are a few of the instances in which aMedExpress Urgent Care clinic can help:

Illness• Colds, flu, and other viral illness• Bronchitis, pneumonia,

and asthma attacks• Ear, throat, and sinus infections• Rashes, poison ivy, and

allergic reactions• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea,

and dehydration

Injury• Fractures, sprains, strains,

and dislocations• Minor surgical procedures• Wound repair, mole removal,

and abscess drainage• Lacerations (cuts), abrasions

(scrapes), and splinters

Other needs• Immunizations and vaccinations• Flu and allergy shots• X-rays, lab tests, EKGs,

and IV fluids on-site

Locations:There are ten MedExpress locations.All are open from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.,seven days a week.

Greensburg — Eastgate Plaza5126 Route 30, Suite 300Greensburg, PA 15601724-836-3027

Mars — Near the Springfield Grille6998 Crider RoadMars, PA 16046724-778-DOCS (3627)

Monroeville — Penn CenterPenn Center East3433 Wm. Penn HighwayPittsburgh, PA 15235412-825-DOCS (3627)

Morgantown215 Don Knotts Blvd.Morgantown, WV 26501304-291-DOCS (3627)

O’Hara — Near the Highland Park Bridge50 Freeport Road, Ste. 500Pittsburgh, PA 15215412-782-3278

Parkersburg — Next to Lowe’s1500 Grand Central Ave.Vienna, WV 26105304-485-DOCS (3627)

Pleasant Hills — Next to SouthlandShopping Center695 Clairton Blvd.Pleasant Hills, PA 15236412-653-5556

Scott — Marshall’s Plaza1984 Greentree RoadPittsburgh, PA 15220412-343-3627

Upper St. Clair — At Boyce Road2600 Old Washington RoadUpper St. Clair, PA 15241412-854-3627

Washington — Gabriel’s Plaza460 Washington Road, Suite 7Washington, PA 15301724-225-DOCS (3627)

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upmchealthplan.com

uilding a healthy workplace is goodbusiness. UPMC HEALTH PLAN’SMyHealth Program will help you

invest in your most valuable resource —your employees. Our self-guided onlineEmployer Health Promotion Kit gives youthe resources you need to begin generatingawareness among your employees aboutthe importance of living a healthy lifestyle.

Whether you have two employees or twothousand, UPMC HEALTH PLAN gives youthe tools you need to create an effectivewellness program. You can downloadand print out the items you need. TheEmployer Health Promotion Kit includes:

• Posters. Specially designed posters thatpromote smoking cessation, weightmanagement, weekly walking programs,and health screenings.

• E-mail templates. Prepared messagesthat you can easily tailor to fit yourcompany’s needs.

• Communications strategy. A plan andtimeline that will allow you to run aneffective wellness campaign. Alsoavailable are tips for building healthawareness in the workforce anddeveloping materials thatencourage healthy lifestyles.

• Additional content. Healthyrecipes, activity logs, healthsurveys, and newsletter stories.

The tools are simple. The tacticsare effective. Everything is availableonline to engage your employees andlet them know you are committed totheir health.

If you are interested in accessing theEmployer Health Promotion Kit throughEmployer OnLine, contact your accountmanager. �

Create a wellness program with ourEmployer Health Promotion Kit

ou may not be familiar with theword “ergonomics,” but an under-standing of its basic concepts can be

positive not only for your employees, butfor your business and your bottom line. Byadapting ergonomically sound principles,you can improve safety, efficiency, andproductivity in the workplace.

Ergonomic principles mean that job tasks,workstations, tools, and equipment fit thephysical capabilities of employees. Basically,ergonomics is fitting the job to the employee.

Good ergonomics focuses on the basicrelationship between the worker and thejob. A safe, comfortable workstation candecrease the risk of injury, improve morale,and increase productivity.

According to the National Institute ofOccupational Safety & Health (NIOSH), acomprehensive ergonomic analysis ofemployee computer workstations includesan analysis of individual workstationcomponents, work process flow, andworkstation environmental conditions.Other factors that need to be consideredare the effects of task duration and frequency,exposure to ergonomic stressors such asforce and repetition, and awkward postures.

Here are simple steps that workers(including you) can take to improve officeworkstation ergonomics:

1. Tilt or swivel your monitor screen toeliminate reflection on the screen, oradd an anti-glare filter.

2. Place the monitor directly in front ofyou while at the keyboard. The top ofthe monitor screen should be at orbelow eye level and roughly an arm’slength away.

3. Adjust the height of your chair toachieve proper posture. Adjust thekeyboard or chair height to keep yourforearms, wrists, and hands in a straightline while using the keyboard.

4. Sit with your head and neck in anupright position, even while on thetelephone. Keep your shoulders relaxedand elbows close to the body.

5. Stand at least once per hour tostimulate circulation and take briefexercise breaks to relieve muscle tensionand fatigue. �

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Good ergonomics

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any employers recognize theimportance of taking proactivesteps to keep their employees

well. UPMC HEALTH PLAN’S recentinitiative, Focus on Women, promoteswomen’s health and complementsemployers’ efforts.

Focus on Women raises awareness of theimportance of women’s health concerns,including breast cancer screening, healthypregnancy, stress management, and theneed for preventive care. By encouraginghealthy lifestyles and preventive screenings,Focus on Women aims to decrease awoman’s chances of acquiring a seriousdisease or a chronic condition.

Focus on WomenEncourage your employees to visit theFocus on Women website, where they canfind vital information in a user-friendlyformat, including:• Tips on getting a mammogram• Mammography centers• Customizable preventive guideline tools• Link to the Focus on Women

eNewsletter

By highlighting topics that can make adifference, the Focus on Women webpageis a catalyst for hope and prevention.To access the website, select the Healthand Wellness tab from the UPMCHEALTH PLAN website, and then select“Preventive Care” from the drop-downmenu. You’ll find the Focus on WomenMammography link on the top half of thepage. �

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Safety and cents of generic drugshe rising cost of health care continuesto affect the American economy. It isestimated that 10 to 15 percent of all

health care costs paid by consumers aredirectly related to prescription drugspending. In fact, members use theirpharmacy benefit most frequently —15 to 18 times annually.

At a time when employers are looking forways to reduce health care costs, promotinggeneric drugs is one of the most effectiveways to save money. Perhaps the mostimportant step you can take to increasegeneric utilization within your workforce isto increase the awareness of generics andeducate employees on their benefits.

What are generic drugs?Generic drugs are cost-effective alternativesthat offer the same level of safety andquality as their brand-name equivalents.Generic drugs have the same activeingredients as brand-name medications.However, the inactive ingredients, such asdyes used to color generic medications orpowders used to shape the tablets, can vary.

These differences do not affect how genericmedications work in the body. Genericshave the same active ingredients, but theycost significantly less — typically 60 to 90percent less than brand-name drugs.

How are generic drugs approved?The Food and Drug Administration (FDA)regulates generic drug manufacturers justas it regulates the makers of brand-namemedications.

To gain FDA approval, the maker of ageneric drug must adhere to strict criteria,including proving that the generic drug’sactive ingredients, drug strength, anddosage form are the same as those of thecorresponding brand-name drug and thatit delivers the same amount of activeingredients in the same time frame. Themanufacturer of the generic drug must alsoprove that its product is produced underthe same strict guidelines as the brand-name drug.

After approval, the FDA continues toregularly inspect all manufacturing facilities

of both brand and generic products toensure that only high-quality medicationsare sold in the United States.

Why should you encourage your employeesto use generics?Every year, generic drugs save consumersbillions of dollars. By choosing a genericmedication, your employees:• Often save on their prescription

copayment• Get the same quality and effectiveness

as the brand-name drug• Help keep medical care more

affordable

If you want to educate your employeesabout generic drugs but are not sure whatto do, UPMC HEALTH PLAN clinicalpharmacists can provide on-site educationalsessions. They can help your employeesunderstand their pharmacy benefit,including the advantages of generic drugs,and answer employees’ questions. If youare interested in scheduling an on-site visitwith one of our pharmacists, please contactyour account manager. �

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cont. on page 6

One Chatham Center112 Washington PlacePittsburgh, PA 15219

upmchealthplan.com

BENEFITPARTNERSWomen’s Center& Shelter SpringClothes Out

o one should be the victim ofdomestic violence. Unfortunately, ithappens every day to women, children,

and men at the hands of a spouse, partner,or parent. About one in three women inAmerica have been abused by a husband,boyfriend, or partner at some point in theirlife. Abuse can be physical, sexual,emotional, financial, or psychological —often leaving scars that take years to heal.

The Women’s Center & Shelter (WC&S)is making a difference in the fight againstdomestic violence in our area. Every yearWC&S provides help and hope to thousandsof victims in the Pittsburgh area who havebeen affected by domestic violence.

UPMC HEALTH PLAn is proud to be thelead sponsor of the WC&S Spring ClothesOut event on May 7. Diane P. Holder,president and CEO of UPMC HEALTH

PLAN, is the first-ever honorary chair of thisevent.

“UPMC HEALTH PLAN is proud tocontribute to the efforts of this wonderfulorganization, and we offer our congratula-tions to this year’s event honoree, theAllegheny County District Attorney’sDomestic Violence Unit,” said Ms. Holder.

For more information about WC&S, visittheir website at www.wcspittsburgh.org. �6

©2008 UPMC Health Plan, Inc. All Rights Reserved. BP Q1_08 NWSLTR C20080109-10 (CZ) 4/7/08 8.5M RP

Brand Generic

Allegra fexofenadine

Amaryl glimepiride

Ambien zolpidem tartrate

Celexa citalopram

Claritin OTC loratadine OTC

Coreg carvedilol

Flonase (nasal spray) fluticasone

Effexor venlafaxine

Lamisil terbinafine

Lotrel amlodipinebesylate/benazepril

Brand Generic

Norvasc amlodipine besylate

Omnicef cefdinir

Paxil paroxetine

Pravachol pravastatin

Prozac fluoxetine

Toprol XL metoprolol SR

Zithromax azithromycin

Zocor simvastatin

Zofran ondansetron

Zoloft sertraline

Here are some common brand-name medications and their generic equivalents.

our employees have 24/7 access toenhanced online pharmacy featuresthrough MyHealth OnLine, the

secure member portal available throughour website at upmchealthplan.com.

Here they can:• Refill mail-order prescriptions.• Verify copayment levels.• Calculate copayments for each

medication to assist with budgeting.• Use a prescription comparison tool to

review various medical conditions.• Review formulary information.• Access an extensive drug library.• Search for participating pharmacies.• Search a database of medications,

including generic alternatives.• Check potential drug interactions.

Encourage your employees to take anactive role in the management of theirpharmacy benefit. �

Online pharmacy features empower employees

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Safety and cents of generic drugs cont. from page 5

o doubt your employeeshave made New Year’sresolutions. But are they

still sticking to them a fewmonths later?

UPMC HEALTH PLAN makesit easy for members to staycommitted to the healthimprovement goals they’ve setfor themselves. MyHealth, theHealth Plan’s wellness program,offers a comprehensive suite oftools and resources that can helpmembers track their health status,set goals, and get personalizedassistance through phone-basedhealth coaching.

Here is a sample of what’savailable through the MyHealthprogram:

MyHealth OnLineMyHealth OnLine, an easy-to-use Internet-based servicecenter, gives our members manyways to access health resources.

By logging in to MyHealthOnLine, members can investigatehealth conditions and read thelatest news in an extensive libraryof health-oriented information.Interactive features help thembuild personal action plans forgetting in shape, eating better,losing weight, or quitting tobacco.Web-based health trackers areavailable for them to log theirdaily food intake, activity level,and weight.

MyHealth RecordMyHealth Record is aconfidential personal healthrecord (PHR) that helpsmembers keep their healthinformation current. Everyclaim submitted in a member’sname for tests, procedures,office visits, prescriptions,and other covered benefits isautomatically incorporated intothe member’s MyHealthRecord. Members can fill intheir family health history, new

upmchealthplan.com

A PUBLICATION OF UPMC HEALTH PLAN

MedExpress UrgentCare clinicsPage 3

GoodergonomicsPage 4

Safety and cents ofgeneric drugsPage 5

APRIL 2008

UPMC HEALTH PLANOne Chatham Center112 Washington PlacePittsburgh, PA 15219

Member Services:1-888-876-2756

TTY Users:1-800-361-2629

In This Issue

Focus on safety . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

New Member AdvocateProgram . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2

Employer HealthPromotion Kit . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4

Focus on Women . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Women’s Center & ShelterSpring Clothes Out . . . . . . . . . . 6

Online pharmacy featuresempower employees . . . . . . . . 6

Stay on track in 2008:Tools for a healthy year

symptoms, over-the-countermedications, and other health-related information that maynot be captured in our claimsdatabase. Members are alsoencouraged to print their recordto share with their doctor.

Tobacco Cessation Health CoachingThe MyHealth Ready to QuitLine is available at no cost toall members. Highly trainedtobacco cessation specialists areready to answer questions, offersupport, and guide membersthrough the quitting process.A tobacco treatment specialistworks collaboratively withthe member to develop apersonalized quit plan.

These are just some of the waysthat UPMC HEALTH PLAN canhelp your employees staycommitted to their healthimprovement goals. �

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