State employees covered by PEBB are coming up on some important deadlines. PEBB is the Public Employees Benefit Board, which administers health care plans for all state workers.

As PEBB finalizes decisions on 2013 benefits, many are heartened that the agency previously announced the abandonment of the controversial waist measurement mandate that formerly was part of the Health Engagement Model (HEM) program. Still, you and your spouse or domestic partner will have new choices on HEM during Open Enrollment this fall.

• Signing up and participating by completing HEM Step 1 as scheduled will give you a monthly monetary incentive. Not signing up, or signing up but not participating by completing HEM Step 1 as scheduled, will add a deductible to your health plan in addition to the plan's standard deductible.

• Sign up and complete HEM Step 1 as scheduled: As a HEM participant, you'll receive $17.50 ($35 if both you and your spouse or domestic partner participate) as a taxable amount with your pay beginning January.

• Sign up but don't complete HEM Step 1 as scheduled: You and your spouse or domestic partner will be dropped as HEM participants, and you'll have an additional $100 per person deductible (maximum additional deductible of $300 per family) in your medical plan.

• Choose not to sign up: You'll have an additional $100-per-person deductible (maximum additional deductible of $300 per family) in your medical plan.

Additional details are available on the PEBB website and in the July issue of the agency's Connection newsletter, which is attached to this article. This month's missive also includes links to help you complete two e-lessons if you're a current HEM participant and timely summer skin-health tips from Thanh Nguyen, FNP, a provider with Providence Health express.