For your eyes only          top
Vision Care is the name of our eye care provider. If you have benefits, your vision care is free of charge. There is a slight monthly cost for your dependents, if you wish to cover them. Once you enroll your dependents in the vision plan, you must keep your dependent coverage for a minimum of two years.

For you and your dependents, our plan covers a vision exam every 12 months. Frames and lenses are available every 24 months. If you use a provider from the list of participating providers you will have no out-of-pocket expenses for standard frames and lenses. You have the option to choose upgrades, such as designer frames or progressive lenses, but you will be charged for these upgrades. Your allowance for frames and lenses may be applied toward the purchase of contact lenses. Two of our health care plans, Aetna and Cigna, have discounts on vision services.

It may be possible for you to use your health care plan discounts to cover some of the upgrades that are not be covered by our vision plan. Check your health care plan website for details about their discounts. For more information from Vision Care, just call
1-800-865-3676 or you can go to http://www.visioncare.com

Use it, don’t lose it          top
Don’t forget! If you have expenses for which you can be reimbursed from your Flexible Spending Account, your claims for reimbursement must be postmarked no later than March 31, 2006. If you need a reimbursement form, you can get one from either our website at http://benefits.brevard.k12.fl.us/HR/Benefits2005/FSA/FBMC-FSAClaim.pdf or from the benefit contact at your school or department.

Employee Assistance Program          top
Our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) is available to your to help you cope with uncertainties during a stressful period. You and your family members are eligible for up to six visits per contract year to an approved mental health provider, at no cost to you. You do not need to be covered by one of our health care plans in order to use the EAP.  EAP services are strictly confidential. No one at the District even knows that you are seeking assistance unless the visits are made as a result of a supervisor’s referral.

The EAP provides assessment, counseling, referral and monitoring for alcoholism and drug abuse; mental health issues such as depression, stress, life stages transition and grief counseling; domestic difficulties like family communication, parenting, separation, divorce, child counseling; and work related issues including absenteeism, tardiness, work quality and excessive sick leave. In order to make an appointment with an EAP counselor all you need to do is call 1-800-Bradman (1-800-272-3626).

MyPyramid.gov          top
Nutritional information is just a click away. The United States Department of Agriculture has launched a new website, www.mypyramid.gov. On this site you can find everything from soup to nuts, literally. Your own personal nutrition plan complete with menus, tracking worksheets and guidelines are all available. Physical activity information is also included. This is an excellent place to start if you are looking for nutritional information.

Do you know your blood pressure numbers?          top
According to the American Heart Association, nearly one in three U.S. adults has high blood pressure, but because there are no symptoms, nearly one-third of these people don't know they have it. Uncontrolled high blood pressure can lead to stroke, heart attack, heart failure, or kidney failure. The only way to tell if you have high blood pressure is to have your blood pressure checked. Do you know your blood pressure numbers? Normal blood pressure for adults is 119/79 or lower. Visit our Wellness Website at: http://benefits.brevard.k12.fl.us/HR/benefits2005/well.htm for more information.