It is open enrollment time for the university health insurance plan: Aetna Student Health.  

It is easy to enroll.  All you need to do is contact Retriever Integrated Health's email at: rih@umbc.edu or contact the Insurance Office for RIH at: 410-455-8091.  

RIH will become your primary doctor and the copay for an office visit is only $10.00. Aetna Student Health will pay your full balance due.  Also, if you have the university health plan, for the first time you can add a dental plan to your coverage.  All you have to do once you are enrolled in Aetna Student Health you can go to the UMBC page on the Aetna Student Health website, go to the benefits link and click on the link for the dental plan to enroll.

Plus, one of the great benefits is that students who have Aetna Student Health can receive a discount on acupuncture and massage.  The copay for these services is $20.00 for an hour appointment.

Open enrollment starts now and ends on October 1.  However, any students who lose their insurance or turn 26 after that date can still contact the Insurance Office to be enrolled.

The Insurance Office at Retriever Integrated Health is here to answer any questions you may have about the university health insurance plan!  You can contact the Insurance Office at:  410-455-8091 or 410-455-1557.

August 2023 Wellness Newsletter

For many of us, it can be tough to wave goodbye to summer's carefree vibe. Yet, at the same time we may feel excitement bubbling up as we begin to look forward to our favorite things of a Maryland Fall. This month's newsletter offers information to help you navigate the transitions from summer to fall and from kids at home to back to school. And if thoughts of Fall have your considering returning to the gym, we've got gym membership discount programs for you and your family.

 Read below to see what's in store for you this month!

• Mindful Mondays will power you through transition with the "Power Of" series. You'll learn of the restorative power of taking time for yourself, why it's important to reach out for social support while in transition, how to use your superpower of resilience as you navigate change, and how talk therapy can offer tools to assist you.
   

• Tuesday's MetLIfe Financial Wellness webinar on 8/8 offers tips for the transition of preparing to care for an aging loved one in "Parenting the Parent."
   

• In Wellness from the Kitchen with Chef Sandra, she'll help you hang on to a bit of summer with fast, delicious, and kid-friendly dishes like Go-To-Chili Mac, Best Ever Shish Kabobs, and Crab Cakes Like No Other. 
   
• In the Wednesday Healthy U series, we feature tips on how to beat the end of summer blues, manage stress for positive change, and how to get stuff done while working a hybrid schedule.
   
• On Thursdays, the Healthy U series focuses on Family Health and Wellbeing as back-to-school preparations begin. Learn how to boost immunity and necessary immunizations for back to school, how to talk to your teens about establishing healthy relationships as well as the impact of social media, and how to care for an aging loved one.
   
•  Unwind Time Fridays offer 15-minute meditations to support transitions by practicing gratitude. Join us to practice starting your day with gratitude, how to have gratitude when you have attitude, and how to make room for gratitude and gladness.

•  Bonus webinars - look for 2 Oral Health webinars (8/28 and 8/31) as we prepare for the transitions to back to school. Learn why it's important to keep regular dental appointments, the changes in the industry that may impact securing appointments, and the physical and emotional benefits of smiling!

You're invited for our end of summer challenge NOURISH! 

August is a most wonderful time to celebrate the ending of summer with Maryland's produce bounty - sweet corn, luscious cantaloupe, refreshing watermelon, crisp cucumbers, plump eggplant, the 3 p's (peaches, plums, peppers), squash, tomatoes, and much more! Join the NOURISH challenge and grow virtual veggies and fruits such as these when you participate in fun health activities- no need for a green thumb! And, as your garden grows, your chances to win raffle prizes grows as well!

Learn more about NOURISH in this short video. Registration opens 8/1 - 8/18. 

Use this link to register: The Nourish Garden Challenge 

And, invite friends and family to join - the more, the healthier!
   

NEW - GYM MEMBERSHIP DISCOUNTS!

Thinking about getting back into the gym as Fall approaches? Well, great news - your medical health benefits providers make this easy with discounted gym memberships!

CareFirst offers Active & Fit Direct gym membership discounts to their members, which includes access to over 12,000 gyms and to over 9,700 workout videos for as low as $28/month. There are no long-term contracts or hidden fees. Learn more here

Kaiser Permanente also offers Active & Fit Direct gym membership discounts at the same rate of $28/month, same access, and again, no long-term contracts or hidden fees. Learn more here

United Healthcare offers One Pass Select, with digital only membership at $5/month and additional options starting at $25/month to over 11,000 gyms. All options come with grocery and home essentials at no extra cost. Learn more here

 
Mindful Mondays: The "Power Of" Series
Manage Transitions and Take Care of Yourself with the "Power Of" Series

Register here for one or more of the "Power Of" Mindful Monday Webinars

Monday, 8/7, 11:00 am - 11:30 am: The Power of Taking Time for Yourself

As we juggle the many roles in our lives, making time for ourselves can lose priority. When this happens, we can get overwhelmed with our daily responsibilities, leading to burnout and more. Learn the power of taking time for yourself and how to incorporate self-care strategies.

Monday, 8/14, 11:00 am - 11:30 am: The Power of Social Support

Feeling stressed, anxious, or burned out? Close relationships and social connections can be a natural way to manage daily or chronic stress and maintain your mental health and well-being. Learn more about the power of social support for enhanced wellbeing.

Monday, 8/21, 11:00 am - 11:30 am: The (Super) Power of Resilience

You have a superpower that helps you handle the obstacles and challenges of life - resilience! Learn about your superpower and how to strengthen it to handle anything that life throws at you.

Monday, 8/28, 11:00 am - 11:30 am: The Power of Talk Therapy
We all go through periods of emotional distress. Participating in talk therapy can make a significant difference in how we feel and even lead to a shift in our perspective. Whether you're dealing with losing a loved one, coping with a medical illness, or feeling anxious, stressed, or depressed, consider talk therapy. Join this session to learn the benefits of talk therapy, tips on finding the right therapist for you, and resources available to you.

Tuesday, 8/8, 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm: Preparing to Care for an Aging Parent Workshop 

What does it mean to parent our parents? Preparing to Care for an Aging Parent workshop can help current and future caregivers better understand their roles and responsibilities, from exploring different types of care options to addressing legal and financial concerns. Register here.

Tuesday Wellness from the Kitchen with Chef Sandra Lewis
Hang on to a bit of summer with these fast, delicious, and kid-friendly dishes that carry over into Fall!

Tuesday 8/15, 12:00 pm - 12:45 pm: Go to Town on a Go-To Meal - Try Chili Mac!

For those nights that you need a go-to, try chili mac. This dish is delicious, fast, and kid-friendly, just what you need for a meal to please the whole family! Register here

Tuesday 8/22, 12:00 pm - 12:45 pm: Best Ever Shish Kabobs

Fire up the grill and grab your cutting board and knife! This is the easiest weeknight meal you'll ever make: shish kebabs. All you need are your favorite meats and vegetables cut into chunks. Thread them on a skewer and grill or broil away! Register here

Tuesday 8/15, 12:00 pm - 12:45 pm: Crab Cakes Like No Others!

A Maryland favorite, this dish will take your tastebuds oceanside with a weeknight meal of crab cakes. Make it a family affair as you prep and form the crab cakes together. One bite of these delicious lumpy crab and herbs cakes and your whole family will be hooked! Register here 

Wednesday Healthy U: Manage Stress for a Positive Change

Register here for one or more of the Manage Stress for Positive Change webinars

Wednesday, 8/9, 11:00 am - 11:45 am: Ease Your Mind with Mindfulness

Do you find yourself on autopilot as you juggle work and home responsibilities? Being on autopilot may seem to be efficient and effective, however, research shows that we are less of both because our brain is making automatic decisions rather than allowing us to pause and consider the right course of action. Learn mindfulness techniques that help you become more aware, alert, and focused throughout the day. 

Wednesday, 8/16, 11:00 am - 11:45 am: Upgrade Your Mindset

Did you know that changing how you think can lead to better stress management, enhanced emotional health, increased physical wellbeing, and a longer lifespan? Mayo Clinic found these to be directly linked to a mindset upgrade. Learn practical tips to transform your mindset towards a more positive one.

Wednesday, 8/23, 11:00 am - 11:45 am: Managing Stress for Positive Change

When did you last evaluate your stress management toolbox to gauge its effectiveness? If it's been a while, you may have tools that result in less than desirable outcomes and need updating or replacing. Join this webinar to learn about stress management tool options that result in positive outcomes.

Wednesday, 8/30, 11:00 am - 11:45 am: Getting Stuff Done - A Realistic Guide to Working from Home

Working from home has many benefits, such as zero commute, cozy clothes, and more time with loved ones and pets (cat on your keyboard?). However, working from home may make it difficult to stick to a routine, can cause boredom because you're missing the water cooler chats, and you may get pulled away from work tasks to attend to home tasks. In this webinar, you'll learn how to avoid time zappers for increased productivity at home and at work.

Health Promotion Thursdays: Family Health and Wellbeing    

Register here for 8/3, 8/17, 8/24, and 8/31 Family Health and Wellbeing webinars

Register here for 8/10 for the Family Health and Wellbeing webinar

Thursday, 8/3, 11:00 am - 11:45 am: Your Immunity - Avoid the Invaders

Our immune system is our body's first line of defense against harmful bacteria and viruses. In this presentation, you will learn why immunity is so important and hear healthy ways to strengthen your and your family's immune system through family lifestyle habits.

Thursday, 8/10, 11:00 am - 11:45 am: Family Health 

Review common health concerns, screening recommendations, and strategies to keep every family member healthy and happy.

Thursday, 8/17, 11:00 am - 11:45 am: Immunizations A-Z for the Whole Family

Review the CDC immunization recommendations and get tips on questions to ask your health care providers so you can make the best decisions for you and your family.

Thursday, 8/24, 11:00 am - 11:45 am: Teen Talk for a Healthy Relationship with Your Teen

Having open and honest conversations with teens can be challenging. Learn how to engage teens in talks about establishing healthy relationships, the influences of social media, and more.

Thursday, 8/31, 11:00 am - 11:45 am: Caring For an Aging Loved One

Caregivers of aging loved ones are at higher risk for burnout due to the the mental and physical toll caregiving can take. Learn tips to avoid burnout, manage stress, and find resources for help and support you.

 
Unwind Time Fridays: Gratitude!
Cultivate greater gratitude with this 4-session series!

Register here for Unwind Time Meditations

Friday, 8/4, 11:00 am - 11:15 am: Start Your Day With Gratitude

Use this meditation to set the intention to be grateful for all that happens in your day.

Friday, 8/11, 11:00 am - 11:15 am: How to have Gratitude When You've Got Attitude

It can be hard to have gratitude when feeling angry, frustrated, or sad. Instead of forcing gratitude, this meditation allows the experience of not being grateful before finding the space to be grateful.

Friday, 8/18, 11:00 am - 11:15 am: Make Room for Gratitude

In this meditation you will simply breathe and experience the wonderful experience of appreciation as you let gratitude wrap around you like a warm blanket.

Friday, 8/25, 11:00 am - 11:15 am: Gratitude and Gladness

Give your mind to gratitude and gladness and feel the content as these two sweet feelings blend together.

 
BONUS ORAL HEALTH WEBINARS! 

Join these fun and informative "Smile, It's Contagious" webinars!

Register here for the 8/28 12:00 pm - 12:30 pm "Smile, It's Contagious" Webinar

Register here for the 8/31, 12:30 pm - 1:00 pm "Smile, It's Contagious" Webinar

Join Oral Health Consultants Gabrielle Bankowski  & Holley Kirkland as they share information on the uplifting impact of smiles on others and yourself. You'll learn the importance of regular preventive dental visits to preserve your smile, as well as dental industry trends - such as why it's hard to get a dental appointment these days - and more insider information. You'll emerge an advocate for your and your family's oral and overall wellness, feeling free to flash your smiles everywhere!

July Wellness Newsletter:
More Maryland Summer Tips!

 Have you made it to the Eastern Shore beaches or the mountains in Western Maryland yet this summer? What about day trips to some of the many beautiful Maryland State Parks? The fun never stops in Maryland as great summer events are plentiful. The Maryland Department of Tourism has a complete guide to fun-filled summer and year-round events, festivals, and more - visit here to view the events calendar!

End Summer on a Fun and Healthy Note - join the August NOURISH Challenge! 

August is a most wonderful time for Maryland's produce bounty - sweet corn, luscious cantaloupe, refreshing watermelon, crisp cucumbers, plump eggplant, the 3 p's (peaches, plums, peppers), squash, tomatoes, a variety of herbs, and much more! Join the NOURISH challenge and grow virtual veggies and fruits such as these when you participate in fun health activities- no need for a green thumb! Learn more about NOURISH in this short video. Registration opens 8/1 - 8/18. Logging begins 8/7. Look for the registration link in the August newsletter and share this information with friends and family so they can join, too. The more, the healthier!

Want to enjoy the summer fun - and summer's fun foods - while managing your health and weight? Our health benefits providers have just the programs for you - at no cost to their members! Read below to learn more:

Carefirst  NOOM

As part of the State of Maryland Carefirst health plan benefits, Noom now is offered to Carefirst eligible* members at no cost!  Ready to get started? Log in to http://carefirst.com/wellbeing. Once logged in, select You followed by Benefits. Next, click Health & Fitness and then Noom.. 

*Must be 18 years or older with a BMI of 25 or greater, having been identified as prediabetes or at risk for developing diabetes.

United Healthcare  

As part of the State of Maryland United Healthcare plan benefits, Real Appeal is offered to United Healthcare eligible* members at no cost! Ready to get started? Click here  

*Must be 18 years or older with a BMI of 23 or greater.

Coming Soon - Kaiser Permanente 

Kaiser Permanente members are invited to register for Omada, a no cost weight management program that helps eligible* members get results without cutting out favorite foods or counting calories. Watch for the Omada invitation in your email box starting 7/6!

*Must be 18 years or older with a BMI of 25 or greater, having been identified as prediabetes or at risk for developing diabetes.

July Mindful Monday Series: Boost Your Summer Emotional Wellbeing

Summertime - a time for relaxation, a slower pace, and less stress. What happens when life has other plans? Join July's Mindful Monday series to find the right balance between life and summer. 

Register for July Mindful Monday Series Sessions here

Monday, July 24, 11:00 am - 11:30 am: Boost Your Happy Heart

Your heart and your emotions are interconnected - when we experience heart-felt emotions like love, appreciation, and compassion, the heart produces a smooth pattern that tells the brain that the heart feels good. Learn how to increase heart-felt emotions for a happy heart and brain.

Monday, July31, 11:00 am - 11:30 am: Emotions and Your Heart

As a follow up to Boost Your Happy Heart, learn how stress and negative emotions compromise heart health along with strategies to manage and release the pressure of these emotions.

July Healthy U Wednesdays: Summer Healthy Eating

Maryland's Summer Produce Makes Healthy Eating Easy!

Register for the July Healthy U Series Sessions here

Wednesday, July 26, 11:00 am - 11:45 am: Curb Your Summer Cravings
Summer is the season for "nostalgic eating" - hot days in a park have you yearning to visit the ice cream truck, baseball games have you craving a hot dog, and a walk on the boardwalk finds you in line at Thrasher's fries. Learn more about summer cravings and easy strategies to manage them.

 Health Promotion Thursdays: Summer Safety

Join us for live wellness webinars on summer safety for the whole family - including pets!

Register for 7/20, 7/27 Summer Safety Sessions here

Thursday, 7/20, 11:00 am - 11:45 am: How to Stay Cool in Summer
Heat is a given in July and August so it is important to know how to prevent, identify, and manage heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Remember, heat-related illnesses can affect everyone and every age, so this information is important for the whole family (including pets)! 

Thursday, 7/27, 11:00 am - 11:45 am: Love the Summer Skin You're In
Summer means fresh air and SUNSHINE! Sun exposure is the best way to boost vitamin D levels because few foods contain significant amounts of vitamin D. This webinar will address how to protect your skin while getting enough sun exposure to boost and maintain vitamin D levels safely and what happens to your skin (and how to repair it) if you get too much sun.

Friday Unwind Time Summer Series: Get Away Meditations for Mini-Vacations!

Take a 15-minute minute mini-vacations each Friday

Register for Friday Unwind Time sessions here

Friday, 7/21, 11:00 am - 11:15 am: The Healing Fountain
Visit this fountain of crystal clear healing water and immerse yourself in it.

Friday, 7/28, 11:00 am - 11:15 am: The 4 Elements of Earth, Air, Water, Heat
Experience how the 4 elements of earth, air, water, and heat work together to support and fuel your body.

For employees enrolled in the MD State Retirement & Pension system, the schedule of Pre-Retirement seminars and webinars is now available for August – December 2023.

These pension seminars are a valuable planning tool for all eligible members and their spouses, provided by the MD State Pension Agency via the Community College of Baltimore County (CCBC). Employees who attend should be within 8 years of retiring.

Please register for an in-person seminar or webinar using this link: http://www.ccbcmd.edu/ceed-preretirement-state or by calling 443-840-5059. Please provide the course number when registering. 

*NOTE: all in-person seminars and webinars run from 9:00am - 4:00pm.

Webinar Dates:

• August 4 (CRN 73273)
• August 29 (CRN 73274)
• September 22 (CRN 73355)
• October 25 (CRN 73287)
• November 21 (CRN 73302)
• December 8 (CRN 73284)

IN-PERSON seminar dates: 

• September 8 – Frostburg State University (CRN 73333)
• September 15 – Harford Community College (CRN 73335)
• September 19 – Preston Street State Office Building (CRN 73336)
• September 21 – CCBC Catonsville Campus (CRN 73067)
• September 28 – Anne Arundel Health Department (CRN 73353)
• October 12 – Salisbury University (CRN 73280)
• October 13 – CCBC Owings Mills (CRN 73292)
• October 26 – Hagerstown Community College (CRN 73289)
• October 27 – CCBC Essex (CRN 73290)
• November 16 - State Highway Association – Hunt Valley (CRN 73298)
• December 5 – Harford Community College (CRN 73278)
• December 14 – Maryland Department of Transportation (CRN 73281)
• December 15 – CCBC Essex (CRN 73282) *LEOPS Only

To register for a seminar or webinar, please go to: http://www.ccbcmd.edu/ceed-preretirement-state or call 443-840-5059

If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact Sarah Moore at scullip@ccbcmd.edu. 

Retriever Integrated Health Summer 2023 Groups and Workshops

This summer, RIH is offering students the opportunity to participate in a counseling group or workshop to help build skills as they navigate summer courses or prepare for the Fall 2023 semester.

You've Got This Group is a 4-week program based on Dialectical Behavior Therapy. It is intended to help students develop the tools they need to cope with some of the challenges they experience daily. The program utilizes evidence-based skills and strategies designed to reduce symptoms of distress and increase positive coping strategies. Topics include mindfulness, thought as thought, emotion as emotion, and interpersonal effectiveness.

Anxiety Toolbox is a three-session workshop series focused on helping students understand anxiety symptoms and build skills to manage them. Modules are as follows: 1) understanding anxiety, 2) introducing a method for slowing down and disentangling the experience of anxiety, and 3) developing alternative responses to anxiety. Students will leave the workshop with an individualized plan for managing anxiety. Students can join this workshop at any time following completing a triage appointment.

The first step to joining any group is to complete a triage appointment. Please call 410-455-2542 to schedule this brief assessment. During your triage appointment, please tell your provider you are interested in joining a group or workshop and which group or workshop you want to join.

For general group questions, please secure message our Group Coordinator, Lauren Mirzakhalili, via the patient portal: http://myretrievercare.umbc.edu/.

All summer groups and workshops will be held virtually. Due to licensure laws, group members need to be in Maryland to participate in a group. Workshop participants may be out of state for the workshop but must be in Maryland for the triage appointment.