LEGISLATIVE WRAP-UP

The Georgia General Assembly ended its 2011-2012 Legislative Session on March 29, 2012. Below are some legislative highlights provided by DBHDD's Legislative Affairs:

• Both chambers approved a budget of $19.2 billion in state funds for FY 2013.
• DBHDD and other stakeholders successfully advocated for the favorable passage of House Bill (HB) 434, expanding the scope of practice for social workers across the state.
• The legislature also passed the omnibus Criminal Justice Reform Bill, which overhauls the state correctional system and specifically seeks to expand accountability courts across the state.

Recovery through Employment

The Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities (DBHDD), in partnership with the Georgia Mental Health Consumer Network (GMCHN) is pleased to invite you to a statewide forum to learn and explore ways to increase employment opportunities for Georgians recovering from mental illness.

NEW AGENCY INFO:

ACTING REGIONAL SERVICES ADMINISTRATOR - REGION 1

Children's Mental Health Day!

NATIONAL PREVENTION WEEK

The Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities is joining SAMHSA to celebrate National Prevention Week, May 20 - 26. This year's theme is, "We are the ones. How are you taking action?"

For more information on Nation Prevention Week and the pledge, please visit http://dbhdd.georgia.gov/prevention

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PEACHCARE UPDATE

The time period for employees of the State of Georgia, the public school system (including teachers, bus drivers, administrative staff, etc.) or the Board of Regents, to apply for Peachcare for Kids without a six month break in coverage has been extended through December 31, 2012. For additional information, employees may go to http://www.peachcare.org

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WELLNESS PROMISE DEADLINE

TIME IS ALMOST OUT!

There are less than 60 days until the June 30, 2012 deadline for members to complete their 2012 Wellness Promise requirements. Employees and covered spouses in one of the Wellness Plans (HRA, HMO or HDHP) only have until June 30, 2012 to complete their health care vendor's online Health Assessment and have their four Biometric screenings (BMI, Blood Pressure, Cholesterol and Glucose) completed by either their physician or at one of the SHBP sponsored screening events.

Online Health Assessments and Biometric screenings must be completed and the results received by the healthcare vendors no later than June 30, 2012. The member's spouse (if covered) must also be compliant with the Wellness Promise. As you know, if either the member or the spouse (if covered) does not complete all of the requirements of the 2012 Wellness Promise, the member will not be eligible to enroll in a Wellness Option for 2013.

Cigna and UnitedHealthcare members may confirm that their information has been received by calling the number on the back of their member identification card. UnitedHealthcare members may also go to http://www.myuhc.com and click on UnitedHealth Personal Rewards.

If a physician flatly refuses to fax the Physician Screening form, the member is allowed to fax the form to their health care vendor's number on the form. The form needs to be filled out completely. All required biometric screening results must be completed by the physician and the physician and the patient must also sign the form before faxing it to the health care vendor.

DBHDD In the News

Progress on mental health, but gaps remain
5/18/2012

Federal funding could benefit Georgia's homeless who are mentally il
5/18/2012

Carter Center holds mental health summit
5/18/2012