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West Central Ohio Regional
Healthcare Alliance August eNewsletter |
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TIP OF THE MONTH
What’s Driving Higher Health-Care Costs?
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Up to 75% of an organization’s health-care costs
are driven by employees’ lifestyle-related
behaviors.
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The number of obese adults has doubled since the
1970s
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Research shows poor diet and a lack of exercise
are major drivers of health-care cost increases.
For assistance in addressing
health related issues within your organization,
please call Dan Schroeder at 419-226-9851 or Ami
Boley at 419-584-0398
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HOT TOPIC
RED FLAG RULE TO FIGHT
IDENTITY
THEFT
Identity Theft is a national and global issue, and
each of us must protect our identity. The Federal
Trade Commission adopted new rules for every
creditor – including this alliance. They are called
the “Red Flag” Rules,
and we are protecting YOUR identity by watching for
Red Flags of Identity Theft.
Implementation was scheduled for August 1, 2009 but
has now been delayed with a new implementation date
of November 1, 2009. At that time, every adult
registering for occupational health services must
show a photo I.D. and proof of address, unless paying
in cash, in full, in advance.
Acceptable photo I.D. includes:
- Photo driver’s license or state photo I.D.
- Passport, college I.D. or employer I.D.
- Valid immigrant visa or “Green Card”
If the address on a driver’s license is not
accurate, please bring in a utility bill, paycheck
stub, or a governmental correspondence showing
current residence.
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WCORHA UPDATE
Hair Testing
A hair test drug screen is
really a lifestyle test. It is an indicator of what
a donor has been doing over relatively a long period
of time. If you have somebody who has just started
using drugs, you are unlikely to have a positive
test. It is going to take up to a week of use before
there might be enough drug in the hair to find a
specimen as positive. That is why the hair test
would not be used for post-accident or reasonable
suspicion drug screens. It doesn’t say what they did
yesterday. It says what they did the last few
months.
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Tri-County Worksite Wellness
Summit Coming September 21
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WELLNESS UPDATE
Skin Cancer
Each year about a million people in the United
States learn they have skin cancer. The most
common warning sign is a change in the skin,
especially a new growth or sore that does not
heal. Skin cancers don’t always look the same…
the cancer may start as a small, smooth, shiny,
pale or waxy lump, or can as a firm red lump.
Sometimes, the lump bleeds or develops a crust.
Skin cancer can also start as a flat red spot
that is rough, dry or scaly. Both basil and
squamous cell cancers are found mainly on areas
of the skin that are exposed to the sun- the
head, face, neck, hands, and arms. Note that
skin cancer can occur anywhere.
Changes in the skin are not a sure sign of
cancer, however, it is important to see a doctor
if any symptoms last longer than two weeks.
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OCCUPATIONAL MEDICINE UPDATE
Direct Observation of
Drug Testing
The U.S. Department of Transportation has announced
that on July 1, 2009, the United States Court of
Appeals for the District of Columbia circuit issued
its Mandate in BNSF Railway
Company v. Department of Transportation U.S.
Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit, Docket No.
08-1264. Now that the court’s decision is final, the
stay has been lifted on direct observation drug
testing rules applicable to return-to-duty for
safety sensitive transportation industry employees
who have already failed or refused to take a prior
test.
Soon, the Department of Transportation will issue a
Final Rule in the Federal Register providing a start
date for mandatory direct observation collections
for all follow-up and return-to-duty tests. Until
then, direct observation for these tests will remain
an employer’s option.
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OSHA UPDATE
Voluntary Protection Program
VPP’s are OSHA’s premier recognition programs for
employers and employees who have implemented
exemplary workplace safety and health management
systems. A hallmark of VPP is the principle of
management, labor, and OSHA work together in pursuit
of a safe and healthy workplace. To attain VPP
status, employers must demonstrate management
commitment to safety and health of their employees
and employees must be actively involved in
activities that support the safety and health
management system.
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