October 2006
     

he following information comes from the UC Office of the President to help employees better understand the total compensation package for 2007, including health-insurance costs for next year.

Medical plan increases. Medical plan premium costs for the UC system will increase by 11.7 percent in 2007. Although UC will pay a large part of the increase, employees also will pay more in 2007, depending on their salary, medical-plan choices and dependents. The actual rates have not been finalized yet. Increases for represented employees are, of course, subject to collective bargaining.

UC will continue to pay the vast majority of employees’ medical coverage in 2007 – more than 86 percent, on average – including much of the cost of their dependent coverage, especially for children. CalPERS, by comparison, pays 77 to 82 percent of the cost of its statewide HMO.

UC also remains committed to offering plan choices and access to high-quality care. The following features will not be changing:

  • Choices in medical plans.
  • Tax advantages with pre-tax contributions for premiums.
  • Health Care Reimbursement Account (with a new debit card feature, eliminating the need for claim forms).
  • Contributions set according to pay, helping employees in lower pay ranges deal with premium increases.
  • No premiums for dental and vision coverage.

More information about 2007 medical-plan costs will be available in the Open Enrollment materials mailed to you in October. Open Enrollment is planned for Nov. 1-21, 2006.

Retirement contributions. The UC Retirement Plan (UCRP) has enjoyed a long “funding holiday” dating back to the 1990s. Before long, however, contributions from both UC and plan participants will be necessary to ensure the plan’s viability and protect future benefits.

To minimize the impact of restarting contributions, the UC plan for the initial restart is to shift the mandatory contributions employees make to their DC Plan (just under 2 percent for most participants) and redirect it to the UCRP. Contributions are scheduled to resume July 1, 2007, subject to funding availability, the budget process and collective bargaining for represented employees. There will be no reduction in take-home pay when contributions resume and, most importantly, retirement benefits are not being cut.

Visit the At Your Service website to learn more about your benefits and the value of your total compensation.
 

Back in Black. Building on momentum from last fiscal year, SM-UCLA posted positive bottom lines for the first two months of FY ‘06-07. July’s gain was $390,000, versus a projected loss of $550,000. The August gain was more modest, $70,000, but impressive nonetheless when compared with the projected loss of $530,000.

Open Forums. SM-UCLA Chief Administrative Officer Posie Carpenter will host two open forums for employees and volunteers this month. These informal gatherings provide an opportunity for open dialogue and two-way communication with our hospital’s chief executive and other members of the Executive Management Team. Get the latest news on hospital finances, the rebuilding project and our partnership with Orthopaedic Hospital, as well as other UCLA Healthcare initiatives. Mark your calendars and plan on attending one of the forums.

Date Time Location
Oct. 18 7:30 a.m. Cafeteria Conference Room B
Oct. 18 11:30 a.m. Cafeteria Conference Room B

80th-Anniversary Celebration. Don’t miss the fun at SM-UCLA’s “80th-Anniversary Celebration” on Sunday, Oct. 15, from noon to 4 p.m., outside our main entrance on 16th St. The street will be closed south of the Emergency Center parking lot to accommodate a street festival, featuring musical entertainment, health screenings and information, mini-massages, kids’ activities, a fashion show, refreshments, souvenirs and participation by other community organizations. Click on the file below for more information about the event. Employee volunteers are needed to help with the festivities. All volunteers will receive an 80th-Anniversary souvenir t-shirt. To volunteer or for more information, email Jean Wyner or call her at ext. 94471.


Numbers Game. SM-UCLA is moving forward with the Pavilion Renumbering Project to ensure compatibility with the numbering system for our replacement hospital. Presently, Facilities is removing old room numbers, patching, painting and replacing with temporary signage. In early November, new signage will be installed throughout the Pavilion, with stickers on the signage to reflect the current room numbers. On Nov. 15, the stickers will be removed to unveil the new room and floor numbers. Below is a side-by-side comparison of the current and future floor numbering systems in the Pavilion:

Pavilion / NOW Pavilion / NOV. 15
Basement Basement
First Floor Level A
2 Pavilion Level 1
3 Pavilion Level 2
4 Pavilion Level 3
5 Pavilion Level 4
6 Pavilion Level 5

Checks and Balances. Beginning Nov. 1, Payroll will no longer have office hours at SM-UCLA on paydays and paper checks will be distributed via the Nurse Staffing Office on 1 Tower. Consequently, now is the ideal time to sign up for direct-deposit of your paycheck. It’s safe, easy and convenient, especially if you open a UCU Credit Union account because it has an onsite ATM. For more information about the UCU, click on the link below:
http://www.ucu.org/welcome.htm

Open Season. November is Open Enrollment – the once-a-year period when you can make changes to your current benefit selections. This year’s period runs from Nov. 1-21, with changes taking effect on Jan. 1, 2007. Open enrollment literature will be mailed to your home in mid-October. Additionally, Human Resources has scheduled an Open Enrollment Benefits Fair for Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2:30 to 5 p.m., in Cafeteria Conference Room B. Representatives from the health plans and other contracted providers will be present to answer questions about their services. Mark your calendars and plan on attending.

Visitor Parking. SM-UCLA now offers visitor parking in the Arizona Structure during evening and weekend hours as part of its overall Customer Service initiative. Visitors can stop at the Security desk to purchase a $5 access ticket, which allows entry to the structure at the times noted below:

Weekdays: 6:30 p.m. to 6 a.m.
Weekends: All day
Holidays: All day

Please help spread the word and remind visitors that failure to comply with the guidelines given by Security can result in parking citations. Questions can be emailed to Security Manager Vernon Goodwin.

Freedom From Smoking. As part of its Wellness Initiative, UCLA Healthcare is offering an eight-session smoking-cessation program to help employees, their family members and community residents kick this habit. The sessions begin Oct. 10 and are held on Tuesdays, from 4 to 6 p.m., in 200 UCLA Medical Plaza, suite 204. The discounted cost for SM-UCLA employees is $75. For more information, log on to the Wellness Initiative website or call ext. 50014.

Walk Talk. Heartfelt thanks to the dozens of SM-UCLA employees who joined a team for the American Heart Walk on Sept. 30. Overall, more than 700 employees from the Westwood and Santa Monica campuses participated on the UCLA Healthcare team, demonstrating the system’s ongoing commitment to community service. Special recognition is due Meg Armbruster, who led SM-UCLA’s spirited effort in this 5-kilometer walk to stamp out heart disease and stroke.


Photo by Michael Morales

Fire Safety. October 8-14 is “National Fire Prevention Week” and an opportune time for our Safety Office to remind you about the proper response to a fire. Stay calm and remember RACE:

R emove persons in danger.
A larm. Call 74# and pull alarm box.
C ontain fire. Close doors in area.
E xtinguish fire, only if safe, or evacuate area horizontally or vertically.

Personal Safety: Identity Theft. SM-UCLA’s Threat Team provides the following safety tip about identity theft … Beware of mail or telephone solicitations disguised as promotions offering instant prizes or awards. Some are designed solely to obtain personal information, including your credit card or Social Security numbers. Never give personal information, including SS number, date of birth, mother’s maiden name, credit card numbers or bank PIN, unless you initiated the call. Protect this information and release it only when absolutely necessary. For more detailed information and guidelines, visit www.ucpd.ucla.edu or call the UCPD Crime Prevention Unit at ext. 56111.

Community Flu-Shot Clinic. Employee volunteers are needed at SM-UCLA’s Community Flu-Shot Clinic on Tuesday, Nov. 14, 4 to 7 p.m., at Santa Monica Place mall. Please consider donating your time and talents to this community event. To volunteer or for more information, email Ishara Bailis or call her at ext. 94560.

Massage Therapy. Move over, Burke-Williams, because SM-UCLA is now offering massages! The fully clothed, chair massages are provided by certified massage therapists and are priced at $15 per 20 minutes for staff members. Patients also can access the service in their rooms or Room 721 ($20 per 20 minutes). Payment must be made in advance at the Cashier’s Office on 1 Pavilion. Click on the attached file to print a payment coupon. To schedule a massage or for more information, call ext. 94544.

Weeks at a Glance. October brings recognition to several categories of healthcare professionals. Please acknowledge your co-workers in these areas:

Months American Pharmacy Month, Breast Cancer Awareness Month
Oct. 1-7 Nuclear Medicine Week
Oct. 2-8 Healthcare Food Service Week
Oct. 8-14 Case Management Week
Oct. 8-14 Emergency Nurses Week
Oct. 8-14 Healthcare Central Service Week
Oct. 8-14 Healthcare Security Officer Week
Oct. 9-15 Pediatric Nursing Week
Oct. 11-18 Gerontological Nurses Week
Oct. 22-28 Respiratory Care Week
Oct. 23-29 Healthcare Facilities and Engineering Week

Working at the Car Wash, Yeah! SM-UCLA CAO Posie Carpenter, second from left, and her crew, left to right, Chelsi Glaseman, Shelean Antoine, Lyn Morales and Jacque Jones, prepare to wash Dr. Michael Herbst’s car to pay off the bet from our first-ever “Battle of the Sexes” blood drive in July. Male and female team captains squared off to see who could recruit a higher percentage of donors from their respective genders. The male team, led by Dr. Herbst and Vernon Goodwin, recruited 7 percent of male employees to donate, while the female team recruited 6.5 percent of its workforce. Consequently, the female team had to wash Dr. Herbst’s and Vernon’s cars. Overall, 72 units of blood were collected – more than twice the usual amount – making patients the real winners in this friendly competition.

   

Sunday, Oct. 15, 2006
“80th-Anniversary Celebration.”
Noon to 4 p.m. 16th Street outside SM-UCLA. Join the fun as SM-UCLA hosts a street festival to celebrate this special anniversary of service to the Westside community. Food and refreshments, musical entertainment, health screenings, mini-massages, kids’ activities and a fashion show.

Tuesday, Oct. 17, 2006
“Medicine Ethics and Human Values Seminar: Cultural Differences Related to Health, Sickness and Medical Care – the Muslim Perspective.”
Noon to 1:15 p.m. 7 Tower, Room 723. For reservations or more information, email Poonam Bhatla or call her at ext. 94189.

Wednesday, Oct. 18, 2006
“Benefit Brown-Bag Sessions – Retirement Q & A.”
Noon and 10 p.m. 9 Tower Board Room. Yvonne Gandara from Human Resources will answer your questions about retirement. For more information, email Kelli Power or call her at ext. 94846.

Wednesday, Oct. 25, 2006
“FITSCO (Fidelity Investments) Consultations.”
9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. 9 Tower Board Room. Casey Muldoon, a retirement-planning specialist with FITSCO, offers personal consultations to interested employees. For an appointment, call (866) 682-7787.

Nov. 1-21, 2006
“Open Enrollment.”
Annual period to make changes to your current benefit selections. Changes made during Open Enrollment take effect Jan. 1, 2007. Watch your mail and email for more information.

Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2006
“SM-UCLA Benefits Fair.”
2:30 to 5 p.m. Cafeteria Conference Room B. Meet representatives from the various health plans and other contracted providers to help you make informed decisions during UC’s annual Open Enrollment period. For more information, email Kelli Power.

Housing Opportunities
Wanted: Roommate to share SM townhouse. Seeking mature female professional to share with female and friendly dog. $1300/mo, includes all utilities, private garage parking, satellite TV and DSL internet. Non-smoker only. Email Jean at oceanacu@earthlink.net or call (310) 829-4159.

Wanted: Female roommate to share 2-bed, 2-1/2-bath apt. 20th St. close to SMC. $600/mo, utilities included. Washer/dryer hookups. Email avastani@mednet.ucla.edu or call (310) 497-5541.

Wanted: Roommate to share 8-room house in Ocean Park. Terms negotiable. If interested, call (310) 396-4534.

Quotable
“A real friend is one who walks in when the rest of the world walks out.”
— Walter Winchell

Update is published electronically by Marketing and Public Relations. Comments or suggestions for future issues can be emailed to Ted Braun.