Danville is presented with plaques and signage officially designating it as a Susquehanna Greenway Partnership River Town on Friday, Sept. 8, 2017. (L-R) Trevor Finn, Montour County Commissioner;, Tom Forrestal, Merck Cherokee Pharmaceuticals and Danville Business Alliance Board of Directors; Matt Beltz, Columbia Montour Chamber; Dr. Ed A’Zary, Danville Borough Council; John Rodman, Danville Borough Council and Danville Business Alliance Board of Directors; Trish Carothers (kneeling), Susquehanna Greenway Partnership; Jamie Shrawder, Danville Borough; Ken Holdren, Montour County Commissioner; Gail Kulp, Susquehanna Greenway Partnership; Bob Stoudt, Montour Area Recreation Commission; Lauren Stoudt (front); David ‘Otto’ Kurecian, Columbia Montour Visitors Bureau; Dan Hartman, Montour County Commissioner; Ben Stoudt; Brian Stoudt.
- Determine the status of regional greenway efforts;
- Build upon public participation activities previously conducted in the corridor;
- Promote the importance of strong community involvement in present and future greenway development;
- Provide a diverse and inclusive program to maximize input from all segments of the population; and
- Promote local ownership of the greenway plan and its implementation!
- Respect and work with the nature of the Susquehanna River
- Connect with the River (physically, visually, spiritually)
- Involve people with the River and with their River Town
- Recognize that economic development favors River Towns
From ChamberChoice
In June 2017, the U.S. Departments of Labor, Treasury and Health and Human Services provided guidance under the Mental Health and Parity and Addiction Equity Act (MHPAEA). Released in the form of a Frequently Asked Question, the guidance also included a model form as assistance to participants for requesting a plan’s mental health or substance use disorder benefits, or to obtain documentation in support of an appeal.
Background
The MHPAEA requires that financial requirements and treatment limitations for mental health and substance use disorder be in parity with the financial requirements and treatment limitations applicable to medical and surgical benefits. In plain language this means a plan’s coverage limits on mental health and substance use disorder benefits may not be more restrictive than medical and surgical benefits. Financial requirements include deductibles, copayments, coinsurance and out-of-pocket maximums. Treatment limitations reference limits on the number of days or number of visits covered and/or limits on the scope or duration of treatment.
Group health plans are required to disclose certain information to plan participants regarding coverage of mental health/substance use disorder benefits under the MHPAEA. Under the disclosure requirements, plan and insurers must:
• Disclose the criteria for medical necessity determinations related to mental health/substance use disorder benefits to current participants, beneficiaries, or contracting providers on request; and
• Provide the reason for denials (often referred to as an “adverse benefit determination”) of reimbursement or payment of mental health/substance use disorder benefits.
Plans that are subject to ERISA (private employer plans) include further disclosure requirements to plan participants, upon request, about the processes, strategies, evidentiary standards, and other factors used
to make a determination under its claim denial procedures.
Model Participant Request Form
The Departments issued a model form in June that may be used by health plan participants and their representatives to request plan documents concerning a plan’s or insurer’s MHPAEA related compliance. Along with other general information, the request form reminds employers subject to ERISA that the plan must provide plan documents addressing benefits upon request from a plan participant within 30 days of receiving a written request. The form further allows for a participant to seek information on a specific condition or disorder by requesting:
• Specific plan language regarding limits;
• Identify the factors used in the development of the limitations and evidentiary standards used to evaluate the factors;
• The methods and analyses used to develop limits; and
• Provide evidence showing that the limit is applied no more stringently to mental health/substance use disorder benefits than medical/surgical benefits.
The draft form is not required to be used by a participant when requesting information and a plan/insurer must respond to information requests even if the form is not used. However, the Departments indicated that a model form is helpful to participants when asking for information, and is more uniform and streamlined.
Eating Disorders
The same FAQ issued by the Departments in June also provided that an eating disorder is a mental health condition. As such, the benefits for the treatment of an eating disorder must be in parity with a plan’s medical and surgical benefits.
Conclusion
The provision of benefits for mental health/substance use disorder treatments continues to be on the radar of the regulatory Departments. Employer plans that are subject to ERISA should know that the issue of parity under the MHPAEA is a major issue under a DOL investigation. Plans may want to review the draft model request form in order to be prepared for any requests. This would also be a good opportunity for an employer to review the plan document’s claims and appeals process and procedures, to ensure compliance with ERISA. The model form can be used until finalized.
Two Bloomsburg University student veterans place flags in the Academic Quad for last year’s 9-11 Memorial (from Bloomsburg University Facebook)
Bloomsburg University’s military students and volunteers will once again set up Bloomsburg’s annual September 11 memorial display, honoring veterans that have lost their lives since the terrorist attacks. The group will be placing 7,000 flags on the Academic Quad beginning on Sunday morning. BU’s military students are defined as current and former military peronnel, their spouses and dependents, and participants in the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC). On Monday, Sept. 11, there will be four moments of silence to commemorate the four planes crashing on Sept. 11, 2001.
The Bloomsburg Fair preview day luncheon
The Bloomsburg Fair held its annual fair preview luncheon on Wednesday, Sept. 6, and announced several new exhibits and participants in this year’s fair, which include several Chamber members.
On Tuesday, Sept. 26, for every regular-priced $8 admission ticket sold, $1 will go to benefit the Ronald McDonald House of Danville and its mission to provide a “home-away-from-home” for parents and families of children who are hospitalized or receiving outpatient care for the treatment of cancer and other serious illnesses. Children under the age of 18 will be admitted free on this day.
New this year, PPL Electric Utilities will host a live line exhibit out of its trailer on 11th St. near the Sky Ride, which will feature “sparks, flames and crackle” that comes from electrical contact. Intended to show attendees the danger of and teach safety around electrical wires, the exhibit will feature a smaller-scaled version of utility poles and live wires, and will show what can happen when objects come in contact with 7,200 electrical volts. Daily demonstrations will take place and will last about 20 minutes.
WBRE-TV will be at the fair through its duration and will have live broadcasts and the opportunity for patrons to stop by and meet the Eyewitness News Team.
Among the nearly 1,000 vendors signed up to participate at the fair, they include Chamber members such as Bason Coffee Roasting, 3B Consultant Services, the Columbia Montour Area Agency on Aging, the Columbia Montour Visitors Bureau, J.A. Aten Beef Jerky & Best Bar-B-Q Sauce, Mahindra of Bloomsburg, Luzerne County Community College, Renco Ace Hardware, Steph’s Subs, Wesley United Methodist Church and AGAPE Love From Above To our Community.
Dr. Andrea Feinberg gives a presentation about Geisinger’s Fresh Food Pharmacy program to members of Geisinger Medical Center’s Advisory Council.
Meal choices are a major determining factor of personal health. Our bodies need certain nutrients to work properly or health will decline over time. This is even more apparent and important for people suffering from chronic diseases, such as diabetes, where the consequences are more severe. Geisinger’s Fresh Food Farmacy Program sees food as a medicine in maintaining proper health and preventing diseases.
Members of Geisinger Medical Center’s Advisory Council were provided an overview of the program recently by Dr. Andrea Feinberg. Dr. Feinberg is the Medical Director of Health and Wellness for Geisinger and is also the spouse of Dr. David Feinberg, Geisinger President and CEO.
The Fresh Food Farmacy is designed to address the health challenges faced by patients with diabetes and food insecurity. The program is being piloted in Northumberland County with scalability to those most in need throughout the extended region and the nation. Complimentary goals of the program include:
- Ensuring that area residents with diabetes and those who suffer from food insecurity have access to quality healthcare and nutrition education, as well as to the nutritious foods they need to get and stay well
- Narrowing the meal gap (i.e., the shortage of meals) in Northumberland County
- Reducing the incidence of short-term diabetes complications
- Decreasing the amount of diabetes-related medications the patient takes
- Decreasing the patient’s cost-of-care burden
- Educating members of the community on the connection between nutrition and wellness
The initiative, a partnership between the Central Pennsylvania Food Bank and Geisinger, began its pilot phase in July 2016, when it enrolled six food-insecure patients with diabetes from Geisinger’s Kulpmont Clinic. Participants are not only given healthy foods, but recipes and guidance from a Geisinger dietitian. Members of the initial pilots have seen significant decreases in their HbA1c blood sugar levels and improvements in emotional well-being. The program will be implemented at other Geisinger locations over time.
Member News
- For the past two years, Service 1st Federal Credit Union, Old Forge Brewing Company and Heart to Hand Ministries have been Going Gold and teaming up in September to raise awareness about pediatric cancer in Danville. The organizers are exciting to announce that this year, not only is Danville Going Gold once again, but Bloomsburg and Lewisburg are joining the fight against childhood cancer. Marley’s Brewery & Grill and the Town of Bloomsburg will both be involved. The Danville kickoff event was held last week at Old Forge, but two more kickoff events will be held tonight, Sept. 6, one at Marley’s Brewery & Grille, 1323 Columbia Blvd. (Rt. 11), Bloomsburg, and the other at Brendan’s Towne Tavern, 600 Market St., Lewisburg. Each will feature a official proclamation presented by the mayor, live entertainment, chances to win raffle baskets and other Going Golf specials.
Marley’s and Old Forge have collaborated on a special Going Gold Golden Nugget beer. $1 from each pint of Golden Nugget purchased throughout the month will be donated to the mission. All proceeds will benefit the ThinkBIG Pediatric Cancer Fund. For more information about Going Gold III, please call Service 1st’s contact center at 800-562-6049.
- Sea Island Gullah music by Ranky Tanky will be featured at the next free outdoor concert at The Weis Center for the Performing Arts, tomorrow, Sept. 7 at 6 p.m. Tickets are not required for this family-friendly performance on the Weis Center Plaza.
Sea Island Gullah music group Ranky Tanky
The rain location is the Weis Center Atrium Lobby. Patrons are encouraged to bring a lawn chair, blanket and picnic. A free pre-performance lecture and demonstration with the artist will take place the same day from 5:15-5:45 p.m. in the Atrium Lobby. Visit the Weis Center’s event page for more information about this performance.
- Have you ever thought about starting your own business, but weren’t quite sure if it would be right for you? Or maybe you want to know what paperwork you need in order to open your doors? These and several other common questions for small businesses will covered at First Step Seminars during the month of September given by both the Wilkes University Small Business Development Center and the Bucknell Small Business Development Center. A seminar in Bloomsburg given by the Wilkes SBDC will be held this Friday, Sept. 8, at noon at the Downtown Bloomsburg, Inc. Business Incubator, 151 E. Main St., Bloomsburg. Cost is $15 for the First Step book. Walk-ins are welcome but pre-registration is preferred. Register by calling 570-408-4334, email or online. A similar program given by the Bucknell SBDC will be held on Tuesday, Sept. 19 at the Albright Center, 450 Chestnut St., Sunbury. Cost is $25. Register online or by calling Shelley Gadoury at 570-577-1249. Topics discussed at both events will include different legal structures a business can be, how to write a business plan and create financial projections, and much more.
- Co., a social and professional networking group that is run by the United Way of Columbia and Montour County, will host a mixer on Wednesday, Sept. 13 at Old Forge, located at 298 Mill St., Danville, from 5:30-7 p.m. Co. was founded to give area residents the opportunity to take advantage of all the great things this area has to offer. This group is for everyone, which means any age, ability, or area of residence. It holds multiple events each month. For more information about Co., including future events, visit its Facebook page. Co. will also host a networking event on Thursday, Sept. 28 at Three Dogs Vino, located at 129 Hidlay Church Rd., Bloomsburg, from 5:30-7 p.m.
- The Central Susquehanna Community Foundation will host a pair of identical presentations titled “Planning Ahead: The Importance of Planning for the Future,” featuring local elder law attorney Marianne Kreisher. The events will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 13, from 8:30-10 a.m. at Bloomsburg University’s Monty’s on Upper Campus, and on Wednesday, Sept. 20, also from 8:30-10 a.m., at Susquehanna University’s Benjamin Apple Meeting Rooms in the Charles B. Degenstein Campus Center. Both events will feature a complimentary breakfast at 8:30 a.m., followed by the presentation. Attorney Kreisher will discuss the importance of open communication and collaboration between the investment advisor and attorney to achieve the best results for clients; well-drafted estate planning documents including power of attorneys, wills and trusts; understanding the lifetime and after death wishes of individuals; and examining the interplay of “gifting” on long-term care, taxes and asset protection. RSVP to Karri Harter by Sept. 6 by email or call 570-752-3930, ext. 6.
- The Bloomsburg University Department of Exceptionality Programs and the Jones Center for Special Education Excellence will host a screening and discussion of Mimi and Dona on Thursday, Sept. 14, from 5:30-8 p.m. at the Greenly Center, rooms 116 & 117, located at 50 E. Main St., Bloomsburg. This film by Sophie Spartain is an “unforgettable story of love and tough choices, exploring issues of disability, long term care and the realities of aging.” This event is free and open to the public but due to limited seating, pre-registration is encouraged. To register, call Tammy Pursel at 814-270-5556 or email.
- McBride Memorial Library, located at 500 N. Market St., Berwick, will host its next Entrepreneur Breakfast on Friday, Sept. 15, from 8-9 a.m. These breakfasts provide an opportunity for entrepreneurs and small business owners to network, get support, collaborate on projects, trade problem-solving stories and challenges, and much more. Attendees will also have an opportunity to learn about the services that McBride can offer small business owners and that they are able to take advantage of. There is no cost to attend, but pre-registration is requested. To register, call 570-752-2241 or email.
- The Bloomsburg Municipal Airport, which is operated by the Bloomsburg Municipal Authority, will host a Fly-In/Drive-In Community Day on Saturday, Sept. 16, from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. at the Municipal Airport, located at 301 Airport Rd., Bloomsburg. It will feature food, fun and family activities, including several demonstrations involving things such as first aide, fire building, crime prevention, finger printing and many more. Some of the demonstrations and participants include: Fire Dept. ladder repelling; aviation/remote controlled aircraft demonstration; Red Cross and Bloodmobile; SWAT Team; the Bloomsburg Public Library and Children’s Museum; the Columbia County Historical Society; the Bloomsburg Theatre Ensemble; Life Flight; the National Guard and State Police Helicopter, AGAPE; DCNR Forestry; PA Game Commission; and EOS Riding Center.
- The Bucknell Small Business Development Center will host a three-part workshop titled “HR 20/20” that will provide an opportunity for small business owners to clearly understand and develop strategies for recruiting employees, reducing employee turnover, promoting employee development and retaining a talents, flexible and diverse workforce. The first part of this series will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 20 from 8:30-10:30 a.m. at the DeWitt Bldg. 3rd Floor, 416 Market St., Lewisburg. It will feature Tina Welch, the founder of Welch Performance Consulting, a human resources consulting firm. She will speak about developing a structured recruitment and selection process that will help small business owners find talent with skill and corporate culture fit. Topics include: the importance of structured recruitment and selection and how to develop one for your organization; maximizing your employment brand to attract and retain talent; and a special focus and attracting and retaining millennials/young professionals. Cost is $40 for one session, or $100 when registering and attending all three in the series. Register online or by calling Shelley Gadoury at 570-577-1249.
- The Montour County Historical Society will open its newly renovated Boyd House Museum on Sunday, Sept. 24, from 2-4 p.m. Two rooms – the Military Room and the Parlor – will be open for viewing. This event is open to the public and there is no cost to attend. The Boyd House Museum is located at 5 Bloom Rd. (Rt. 11), right next to the Montgomery House in downtown Danville. It was closed earlier this year for renovations. Both the Montgomery House and Boyd House Museums will be open on Sundays 2-4 p.m. throughout the month of October.
- Geisinger Health will hold its inaugural Dream Big Hot Air Balloon Festival on Saturday, Oct. 7, from 7 a.m. – 5 p.m. at Spyglass Ridge Winery, 400 Plum Creek Rd., Sunbury. Proceeds from this event will benefit Geisinger’s Comprehensive Breast care Program. Activities include balloon rides (weather-permitting), live bands and food trucks, children’s activities and family fun, professional and amateur photo competitions, performances by local dance groups, a fresh food farmers market and family photo sessions in front of the balloons. Admission is free. For more information, read this flyer.
Event organizers are also seeking donations of small items (approx. $10-20 in value) from area businesses and individuals for an auction. If interested in making a donation, please contact Linda Vaji at 570-214-2581 or email.
- Innotek Computer Consulting will host its annual Technology and Security Expo on Wednesday, Nov. 8 at Sand Springs Country Club, 10 Clubhouse Dr., Drums. This annual event, billed as “Northeast Pennsylvania’s biggest technology and security expo,” brings together IT managers, executives and business owners to discuss the impact of technology and security on business. There is no cost to attend. For more information or to register, visit the event page on Innotek’s website, or the Facebook event page.
From PA Chamber of Business & Industry
In good news for employers across the country, a Texas federal judge last week struck down a U.S. Department of Labor rule that likely would have forced millions of workers to be converted from salary to hourly employees. In the ruling, the judge – Obama-appointee Amos Mazzant, who originally put the rule on hold last November – wrote that the agency improperly looked at salaries instead of job descriptions when determining whether a worker should be eligible for overtime pay.
The overtime rule, which was set to go into effect on Dec. 1, 2016, would have required employers to pay overtime to most workers who earn less than $47,476 annually – a much higher threshold than the current salary limit of $23,660. The rule drew the ire of the U.S. Chamber, PA Chamber and business advocates nationwide and led several of these groups to file suit against the administration. Employer advocates cited the impact the rule would have on many employers who would be forced to cut hours and hire fewer workers in order to absorb significantly higher operating costs, as well as the impact on employees, many of whom could be converted to hourly workers with less flexibility and fewer benefits.
Following the ruling, U.S. Chamber President and CEO Tom Donohue released the following statement: “Today’s decision is another victory for the effort to free our economy from the regulatory stranglehold of the last eight years. We have consistently said that the last administration went too far in its 2016 overtime rule, and we are pleased that Judge Mazzant granted a final judgment that makes permanent his previous ruling against the overtime rule.
“This means that small businesses, nonprofits, and other employers throughout the economy can be certain that the 2016 salary threshold will not result in significant new labor costs and cause many disruptions in how work gets done. The Obama administration’s rule would have resulted in salaried professional employees being converted to hourly wages, reduced workplace flexibility and remote electronic access to work, and halted opportunities for career advancement.
“We look forward to working with the Department of Labor on a new rule to develop a more appropriate update to the salary threshold.”
From Bloomsburg University and the PRSA
The Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) announced recently that Bloomsburg University’s Zeigler College of Business has become the 16th accredited business school in the nation to offer the MBA-level strategic communications course as part of its MBA curriculum.
“This program helps students develop skills in strategic communications — the ability to communicate strategic goals, plans, and operations to organizational stakeholders — in ways that improve communication flows and operational efficiencies. Students with these skills will have a distinct advantage when they enter the workplace,” said Jeffrey Krug, dean of the Zeigler College of Business at Bloomsburg University.
The Zeigler College of Business offered the course in summer 2017 with 13 students participating in a strategic communications practicum experience, providing the opportunity to work with a local business to develop a strategic communications plan. The course was taught by Kristie Byrum, assistant professor of mass communications at Bloomsburg University. Dr. Byrum is a member of the PRSA College of Fellows and a former public relations agency executive.
“Students valued the opportunity to work with local businesses and personally experience the nuances of developing strategic communication approaches for real-world businesses. Dr. Byrum brought strategic communications to life for students,” said Darrin Kass, MBA program director at Bloomsburg University.
The PRSA MBA program was developed by leading business schools, including the Tuck School of Business at Dartmouth, in collaboration with PRSA. The course directs business students in reputation management fundamentals and covers such areas as corporate communications (internal and external), integrated marketing communications, investor relations, corporate social responsibility (CSR), government relations and crisis communications. Dr. Byrum, who serves on the national MBA Program committee, collaborated with Dr. Kass and Dean Krug to bring the program to Bloomsburg University. The graduate-level mass communications course represents a collaboration between the College of Liberal Arts and the Zeigler College of Business.
“Through cross-college collaborations such as this one, the University delivers a multidisciplinary education that serves the best interests of students in both colleges,” said James S. Brown, dean of the College of Liberal Arts at Bloomsburg University of Pennsylvania.
“We are pleased that Zeigler is joining an already impressive list of colleges and universities offering the PRSA MBA Strategic-Level Communications course,” said PRSA National Chair Jane Dvorak, APR, Fellow PRSA. “The growing number of future business leaders who are gaining communications skills through this program will have long-term benefits for businesses. The course emphasizes the importance and value of communications as a core strategic discipline.”
To best meet the needs of each business school’s MBA program, the PRSA turnkey course is offered in full-semester, mini-mester or seminar formats. Schools interested in the course can obtain information through the PRSA website.
A lively and large crowd of Chamber members enjoyed some tasty hors d’oeuvres and refreshments while networking and learning more about the latest programs at Geisinger Bloomsburg Hospital at a Business After Hours on Aug. 30. Attendees had a chance to tour the newly renovated Maternity Center, speak with representatives from several service lines and programs at the hospital as well as hospital leadership, and also learned about new programs at the hospital, including the Acute Care for the Elderly program, Medication-Assisted Treatment program, the Advanced Care Treatment unit, the Medication Take-Back program.
Business After Hours provide regular opportunities to build business relationships while learning about the services offered by other Chamber members. Members will have an opportunity to squeeze in some networking before the Bloomsburg Fair kicks off, at the next Business After Hours on Wednesday, Sept. 20 at Kawneer, located at 500 East 12th St., Bloomsburg. That event will feature catered food from Lucy’s Kitchen and Catering, a chance to win some Kawneer-branded merchandise, and an opportunity to tour Kawneer’s state-of-the-art plant, which is responsible for manufacturing building products that are used on some of the world’s most noticeable buildings and construction projects.
State Representative David Millard will host two upcoming drug forums over the next two weeks at local high schools. The first will be on Wednesday, Sept. 6 from 6-8 p.m. at the Berwick High School auditorium, and the second will be the following Wednesday, Sept. 13 from 6-8 p.m. at the Bloomsburg High School auditorium.
Adults and children are invited to attend these events designed to share information about drug abuse, the opioid crisis and how to avoid drug addiction. Speakers include Jeremy Reese, Columbia County cornoner; Dr. William Rakauskas, a Geisinger psychiatrist; Dr. Joseph Valdez, an independent addiction medicine specialist; Jason Hoch, a pharmacist with Geisinger Bloomsburg Hospital and CMSU; and a representative from a local rehabilitation facility.
For more information, visit Rep. Millard’s website or Facebook page.