ASRS HEALTH INSURANCE IMPORTANT NOTICE: University Optional Retirement Plan Retirees are Eligible for ASRS Retiree Health Insurance Plans

University employees (ASU, UA, and NAU) who retired and who participated in the University Optional Retirement Plans (UORP) are eligible to enroll in the Arizona State Retirement System (ASRS) retiree health insurance program.  Though you have eligibility to continue your enrollment in the Arizona Department of Administration’s (ADOA) Benefit Options health insurance plans, you also may consider enrollment in the ASRS’s retiree plans. 

You are encouraged to review the ASRS benefit provisions of the plans for which you may be eligible (both Medicare and non-Medicare) on the ASRS website, www.azasrs.gov, under the Retirees tab then select Healthcare, for additional details.  Please note that while the official open enrollment has closed, representatives of ASRS indicated in a meeting with representatives of ASURA that retirees falling into this category could still opt to change to an ASRS Plan before 12/31/2016.

ADULTS NEEDED FOR MUSCLE HEALTH RESEARCH

ASU Researcher Dr. Chong Lee has asked ASURA to share information with members about his study on muscle loss.  He is looking for participants between the ages of 60-80.   Participants will have free bone and body composition and arterial stiffness evaluation and will receive $30 compensation. The primary purpose of this study is to establish a new definition of Sarcopenia (muscle loss) using a muscle quality index for men and women.  This project is supported by Mayo Clinic/ASU Obesity Solutions Research funding.  He is collecting data now through February 2017 and encourages participants to come in sooner rather than later.   

The following is a copy of his participant recruitment flyer which includes contact information:  

The SNHP at ASU is looking for the senior men and women (60 to 80 years of age) for muscle health research.  This study will provide you most updated information about your bone and muscle health, arterial stiffness, and body composition status using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA), pulse wave velocity and Isokinetic dynamometers.  Participants need only one visit to ASU Downtown Campus (Compensation: $30, 2 hours total).  Participation in this study is entirely voluntary.  

To request more information or to apply for the study, please visit our recruitment site: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/J2L9GMC  

or contact Erin Dierickx (edierick@asu.edu) or chong lee (chong.lee@asu.edu)

 STAFF HELPING STAFF FUNDRAISER

Staff Helping Staff is a financial assistance fund for staff in need on all campuses.  ASU staff members who are experiencing a financial crisis are able to apply for emergency funding through this program.  The ASU Staff Council is holding a fundraiser to support this program.  They are selling Harkins Movie Theater Gift Cards and Harkins merchandise vouchers. These are being sold at the same price as customers pay at the Harkins theaters.  If you are planning on going to the movies or are looking for holiday gifts or stocking stuffers, you can make your purchase and help a good program at the same time without any additional cost to you.  Click on this link to learn more or make a purchase:  https://staffcouncil.asu.edu/Harkins.