From ChamberChoice and Smart Business Pittsburgh

As technology develops, so too have the improvements and capabilities with the delivery of health care.

“Telehealth innovations in the health care industry are a significant step forward in mitigating rising health care costs,” says Ron Carmassi, client advisor at JRG Advisors.

He added that technology can lead to better outcomes and lower costs, thus saving time and money for the patient, provider and insurance company.

Smart Business spoke with Carmassi about how telehealth can be a supplement or temporary substitute for traditional medical care.

What is telehealth?

Telehealth utilizes technology to facilitate communication, whether real-time or delayed, between a doctor and patient.

One advantage is that medical evaluation, diagnosis and treatment can be accomplished without the doctor and patient being in the same location. In other words, telehealth accomplishes the virtual doctor vist. It also facilitates the exchange of medical information from one location to another so that the evaluated patient can seek treatment in a convenient clinical setting.

How does telehealth help both doctors and patients?

Telehealth offers numerous benefits for doctors and patients. Here are a few of the advantages.

■ Remote accessibility — The primary functions of telehealth are efficiency and convenience of the communication between the patient and doctor. With this technology, doctors can reach patients in remote, rural and underserved areas where there might not be an available doctor or hospital.

Additionally through telehealth, patients can access doctors for routine visits, emergency care or diagnostics from a specialist from the comfort of their home or the convenience of their workplace.

■ Specialist availability — Telehealth also provides increased access to specialists. Even when patients live in urban areas with numerous doctors and hospitals, specialists for some health conditions may not practice in the area. This technology enables patients in both rural and urban areas to easily connect with specialists who may be hundreds of miles away.

■ Cost savings — Patients save money for routine and specialist care because they do not have to pay travel expenses for distant doctors or take excessive time off from work. Additionally, many health plans offer telehealth visits at lower copayments than a primary care physician or specialist visit.

Doctors participating with telehealth also can serve more patients in a day, which can reduce overhead and related costs. With remote monitoring through telehealth services, the larger costs associated with hospitalization, in-home nursing and chronic conditions management can be significantly lessened. For example, remote monitoring provides proper supervision of a patient following discharge from the hospital, which reduces hospital readmissions.

■ Convenience of care — For some patients, the comfort and convenience of consulting with a doctor from their homes is a tremendous advantage. The convenience also can improve care. For example, whereas patients often forget to bring medications with them to a traditional office visit, when patients are at home they have ready access to the information necessary for the doctor to diagnose and prescribe.

Also, because the patient is at home, it is often easier to take notes or even include a family member who can help retain important information from the doctor.

Fueled by technological advances and answering the demand for consumer-convenient care, telehealth is widely offered through all insurance companies and delivers many advantages. Although not the same as sitting in an actual doctor’s office, a telehealth visit with a doctor can prove beneficial by warding off further illness or disease, stabilizing a condition until a patient is able to reach a hospital or monitoring a patient at home.

Telehealth is not a complete replacement for face-to-face health care, but it can be a helpful supplement and even a temporary substitute for traditional medical care.

From Talen Energy

Operators at the Susquehanna Steam Electric Station disconnected the Unit 2 reactor from the electrical grid on Saturday, March 23 to begin its scheduled refueling and maintenance outage.  The unit’s refueling outage occurs every two years and helps ensure that the station runs safely and efficiently, generating reliable “always on” carbon-free power to the grid.  During this outage, Susquehanna’s Unit 1 reactor remains in operation.

Susquehanna’s employees, together with approximately 1,800 supplemental workers, are scheduled to perform approximately 10,000 maintenance activities while replacing about one-third of the unit’s fuel during the outage. These 1,800 workers help boost the local economy by visiting local restaurants, stores and hotels and taking advantage of services throughout the community.  

“While refueling Unit 2, we will also complete proactive maintenance work to keep Susquehanna generating dependable, carbon-free energy safely and efficiently to meet the needs of our stakeholders,” said Kevin Cimorelli, site vice president. “Our goal is to complete the outage on time and with zero reportable injuries.”

Each of Susquehanna’s two reactors undergo planned refueling and maintenance outages once every 24 months.  As a result, Susquehanna, along with other nuclear plants, can supply reliable power no matter the weather or conditions, even when plants running on fossil fuels may be hindered by delivery issues.  Susquehanna schedules refueling and maintenance activities when seasonal temperatures are mild and power demand is lower, to minimize market impact. 

The Susquehanna plant, located about seven miles north of Berwick, is owned jointly by Susquehanna Nuclear LLC and Allegheny Electric Cooperative Inc. and is operated by Susquehanna Nuclear. Its two units generate 2,600 megawatts of carbon-free electricity, enough to power two million homes.  For information, visit www.susquehannanuclear.com.

Susquehanna Nuclear LLC is one of Talen Energy’s generating affiliates. Talen Energy is one of the largest competitive energy and power generation companies in North America. The Company owns or controls approximately 15,000 megawatts of generating capacity in well-developed, structured wholesale power markets, principally in the Northeast, Mid-Atlantic and Southwest regions of the United States.  For more information visit www.talenenergy.com.

From PA Chamber of Business & Industry

Last week, the state House of Representatives overwhelmingly approved a slate of bipartisan workforce development-related bills that have earned the PA Chamber’s backing.  The PA Chamber is helping lead an effort with the Wolf Administration, the General Assembly, state agencies and the private sector to build a more competitive workforce and close a jobs skills gap by empowering Pennsylvanians with knowledge about in-demand jobs and the skills and training required to obtain them.  To that end, our organization supports legislation that strengthens the Commonwealth’s workforce development programs and expands access to the tools that can help individuals accelerate their career path. The following PA Chamber-supported bills passed the House with overwhelming support:

• H.B. 297 – Sponsored by Rep. Zach Mako, R-Northampton and requires the state Dept. of Education to develop materials outlining workforce needs, including training opportunities and future earning potential; and also calls for schools to allow community colleges and trade and technical schools to attend career and college fairs.
• H.B. 334 – Sponsored by Rep. Seth Grove, R-York, and codifies into law a program to expedite classification of instructional programs; task PDE with establishing a standard application for schools wanting to establish or renew a CIP; and issue guidelines for students to apply certain courses toward credit for completion of a program at a vocational or technical school.
• H.B. 393 – Sponsored by Rep. Patrick Harkins, D-Erie, and requires the Depts. of Education, Labor and Industry and Agriculture to develop and maintain a comprehensive online career resource center for students, parents, educators and school officials.
• H.B. 394 – Sponsored by Rep. Gerald Mullery, D-Luzerne, and requires PDE and L&I to inventory existing workforce development programs, with goals of sharing best practices to improve the delivery of these programs.
• H.B. 395 – Sponsored by Rep. James Roebuck, D-Philadelphia, and allows career technical education programs or a cluster of programs to establish occupational advisory committees at the Intermediate Unit level, to serve multiple districts or Career and Technical Centers.
• H.B. 396 – Sponsored by Rep. James Roebuck, D-Philadelphia, and requires each local workforce development board to include in its membership at least one administrator of a career and technical center whose attendance area is covered by the service area of the WDB.
• H.B. 425 – Sponsored by Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, R-Lehigh, and requires the Department of Labor and Industry to create CareerBound – a program that would aim to strengthen the connection between Pennsylvania’s students and the next generation of high-priority careers, providing those students with early exposure to a wide array of career opportunities.

The PA Chamber thanks the sponsors of these bills for promoting legislation that will help to train the next generation of skilled workers across the Commonwealth.  All of these bills now await consideration by the state Senate.

• Currently, and running through April 4, the United Way of Columbia and Montour County is again offering free basic tax help to low and moderate-income residents in the community. This program will be held Tuesdays and Wednesday from 2-6 p.m. and Thursdays from 4-8 p.m. at Wesley United Methodist Church, located at 130 W. 3rd St., Bloomsburg (use the rear entrance). No appointments are necessary, only drop-offs and walk-ins will be accepted. For questions, call the United Way at 570-784-3134 or email, and see the flyer for additional information.

• Commonwealth Health – Berwick Hospital Center is presenting a free six-week educational series titled “Six Weeks to Better Health” running each Wednesday through April 17, from 12-1 p.m. at the Hospital’s Conference Room 1 and 2, located at 701 East 16th St., Berwick. The final session in the series will be held from 5-6 p.m. on April 17. Titles of the remaining sessions are: Living with Joint Disease; Solutions for Leg Pain and Swelling; Dealing with the Symptoms of Menopause; and Advanced Directives and Physician Orders for Life-Sustaining Treatment (POLST). For more information, see the flyer, and to RSVP, call 570-759-5337. 

• For The Cause is inviting area nonprofits, their boards and their prospective donors to a free 90-minutes conversations on smarter giving and fundraising strategies tonight, March 27, from 7-8:30 p.m. at the Teen Center, located at 1130 Sixth Ave., Berwick. They’ll discuss how to recognize donors, maximizing gift impact potential, minimizing taxes, and more. RSVP by email. For more information, see the flyer.

• Bloomsburg University’s Professional U program will host a Marketing, Management and Communications Career Connections Expo this Thursday, March 28, from 11 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. in the Kehr Union Ballroom on the BU campus. Any employer looking to recruit business or communications students would benefit from participating. Employers interested in participating should call 570-389-3791 or email. 

• The Weis Center for the Performing Arts will host internationally-distinguished string quartet, the Aizuri Quartet, on Sunday, March 31, at 2 p.m. in the Weis Center Atrium.
  

  The Aizuri Quartet

  The performance is free and tickets are not required. The Aizuri Quartet will present a new project, Intricate Machines, which pairs the acclaimed quartet with rising American composers Nina C. Young, Sky Macklay, Daniel Temkin, Phil Taylor and Katherine Balch. The five works on the program were all written since 2013, and feature composers of diverse styles, sensibilities, and geographic locales. 

• Employees of all Chamber members are invited and welcome to attend Bloomsburg University Professional U’s Don’t be Fooled by the Fork networking dinner on Monday, April 1, at 6 p.m. at Monty’s on the BU Upper Campus. This dinner is an opportunity for BU students to practice professional networking and dining etiquette in a social setting among alumni and professional volunteers. Chamber members are welcome to join this event as role models and table hosts, and impart your wisdom to current students as they learn how to conduct themselves in a professional dining situation. There is no charge to attend this event and the meal is complimentary, however donations are appreciated in the form of a plate sponsorship ($40) or table sponsorship ($280). Register and make any voluntary donations online.

• On Saturday, March 16, Susquehanna Steam Electric Plant’s chapter of Women in Nuclear hosted sixteen college and graduate school students from Penn State University and Luzerne County Community College. The students, who were primarily nuclear engineering majors, participated in a tour of the station’s simulator and grounds. Representatives from Susquehanna also led seminars regarding the station’s safety programs and emergency plan, and participated in discussions about the nuclear industry ranging from careers to technology to best practices.  

• Service 1st Federal Credit Union Member Service Representative, Devon Donahue will represent the Northwest Susquehanna Chapter of Credit Unions at the Pennsylvania Credit Union Association’s (PCUA) 2019 Credit Union Ambassador Contest.
  

  Devon Donahue

  The contest will be held in May during the PCUA’s Annual Connect Convention in Hershey, Pa. This is the first year that the contest is under a new name. It was originally called the Credit Union Youth Ambassador Contest. The Pennsylvania Credit Union Association (PCUA) developed the Credit Union Youth Ambassador of Pennsylvania Contest in 1976 to help young people learn about the history, philosophy, and operation of credit unions. Participants gain experience in meeting and interacting with other individuals, and public speaking. The state winner also serves as a role model to encourage young people to participate in their credit unions. From Milton, Pa., Donahue is a graduate of Montgomery Area High School. She has been a Member Service Representative at Service 1st since July 2018. Donahue plays an active role in the Service 1st Young Professionals Network, serving as Co-Chair of the organization.

• PA CareerLink Columbia/Montour Counties will host its annual job fair on Thursday, May 2, from 1-5 p.m. at Columbia-Montour Area Vocational-Technical School, located at 5050 Swpeenheiser Dr., Bloomsburg. The entire event is open to both the general public and students. Employers interested in attending as an exhibitor/vendor should register online. For more information, see the flyer. 

Earlier this month, Harry Mathias, superintendent of the Central Columbia School District who is retiring at the end of the current school year, attended his final board meetings for both the Chamber and Foundation of the Columbia Montour Chamber. Harry has spent his entire career investing in the education of children through public education. He is retiring as the longest current serving superintendent in the region, having served in public education for over 35 years, including the last 19 as superintendent, and dedicated more than 20 years in service beyond his district through the efforts of The Foundation. As the Foundation’s board chair, he also sat on the Chamber’s board since 2011.

He has helped create the STEM Magnet program, Teacher in the Workplace, Classroom in the Hospital and Classroom on Main Street and many more programs. Words cannot truly capture the value Harry has brought to the Foundation’s efforts. Through name changes, staff changes and leadership changes, he has been a constant guiding voice and beacon for the Foundation’s efforts. Both the Chamber and Chamber Foundation thank him for his many efforts throughout the years and wish him well in retirement.

More than 400 businesses and organizations belong to the Chamber to receive benefits and support efforts to strengthen their businesses and our region. Increased membership allows us to offer additional programs and benefits, have a stronger voice in advocacy and be involved in more activities and initiatives in our communities. The Chamber welcomes its newest member, Staples, The Office Superstore, to help us fulfill our mission.

Previously a member that the Chamber is happy to welcome back, Staples is located locally at 1005 Scott Town Plaza in Bloomsburg on Route 11, and can be reached at 570-912-6008. The Bloomsburg store is one of about 1,500 retail locations in North America, which sell office supplies, furniture, machines, promotional products, and business services. It also has a robust e-commerce business. Staples was founded in 1986 and is currently based in Framingham, Mass. The Bloomsburg store is open Monday-Saturday, 8 a.m. – 9 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. For more information, visit its website.

Chamber members and other attendees had an opportunity to check out the still relatively new office at Hamilton Dental Care while also meeting the staff and its newest dentist and enjoying some delicious hors d’oeuvres from That Kitchen Witch at March’s Business After Hours, held on the first day of spring, March 20.

Hamilton Dental Care, which opened its new office at the corner of Central Rd. and Audubon Ct. in Bloomsburg in 2017, is currently accepting new patients for anyone in need of dental care and even provide sedation dentistry services. At the event, attendees had an opportunity to meet the staff as well as the practice’s newest dentist, Dr. Leigh Jacopetti, who began at Hamilton Dental last year following the retirement of senior dentist and practice founder, Dr. David Hamilton. Dr. Jacopetti joins Dr. Joel Hamilton and a team of dental hygienists and other staff. Two lucky winners in a drawing also received free Sonicare toothbrushes following the event.

Business After Hours provide regular opportunities to build business relationships while learning about the services offered by other Chamber members. The next Business After Hours will be held at G.S. Wood Financial Solutions, located at 559 Mill St., Danville, on Wednesday, April 17, from 4:30-6:30 p.m.  

From ChamberChoice

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (“ACA”) permits employers to charge higher premiums to tobacco users for medical coverage (except where limited by state law). This should be done in conjunction with a wellness plan that offers tobacco cessation counseling, and employers generally will determine tobacco use by requiring employees to complete a questionnaire. Currently, tobacco use is defined as using tobacco products an average of four or more times per week within the past six months, excluding religious or ceremonial uses.

The popularity of electronic cigarettes (or “e-cigarettes”) creates a dilemma for employers who feature a tobacco surcharge in their benefit plan. Many electronic cigarette or vaping products do not include leaf tobacco at all, although many do include nicotine. In mid-2016, the Food and Drug Administration began to regulate electronic cigarette products. This led many employers to begin including such products under the definition of “tobacco use.” However, it is still unclear whether the provisions of the ACA discussing tobacco use are intended to cover vaping and electronic cigarettes.

Therefore, if employers want to include vaping in the definition of tobacco use, they should explicitly do so in the affidavit or other form that employees complete to verify whether or not the employee uses tobacco. Employers should also consider how they wish to treat the use of electronic cigarettes that do not feature any nicotine – categorizing the use of these products as “tobacco use” may or may not be permitted; but the employer can protect itself by adopting a clear, consistent policy. Further federal regulatory guidance on this issue is needed, and employers should closely follow any developments in this area as the regulatory environment surrounding electronic cigarette and vaping devices changes over the next few years.

Employers may also wish to update any workplace or employee tobacco use policies to include electronic cigarette products. Tackling this issue prospectively will help avoid employee complaints of inconsistent treatment. This policy should be consistent with how the employer treats tobacco use for benefit purposes, and it should be advertised to all employees and other individuals (volunteers, contractors, clients, students, etc.) who may be affected by or subject to the policy.

This newsletter gives a basic overview of recent regulation as in effect on the date of the newsletter. Please be aware that the determination of the requirements and the application of these rules to each employer may differ due to a number of variables. Nothing in this newsletter should be construed as legal advice.

Would a public bus be used by your employees? A group of agencies working to establish service along the Route 11 corridor from Berwick to Selinsgrove is seeking input from local employers as planning moves forward. It is anticipated that service would begin in 2020.

The effort is being spearheaded by the Greater Susquehanna Valley United Way and United Way of Columbia and Montour County, with support from the Chamber of Commerce and other community organizations.

Businesses are invited to participate in the survey by Friday, April 5.