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THE TRUSTEE 

 April 2025
Vol XVIII, No. 178

April is National Stress Awareness Month

The National Institutes of Health has designated the month of April as National Stress Awareness Month. We all experience stress; it is unavoidable. While some stress can be beneficial, too much, or prolonged stress can be harmful.  

Today many people seem to be under constant stress. When the body senses a threat or stressor, it goes on high alert. Once that threat passes, the body quickly recovers, or at least that is the way it should happen. Stressors take many forms and come from many places. It can be family or health concerns, work problems or financial issues. It can just be the ordinary everyday hassles. However, when the stress is unrelenting or there are too many stressors, the body may remain in a constant state of high alert. This can lead to poor concentration, bad moods, professional burnout, and mental and physical health problems. When stress becomes chronic, the body cannot return to normal functioning. Chronic stress has been linked to health conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, depression, and anxiety. It is critical to recognize what stress and anxiety look like, and to take steps to build resilience. Managing stress is a vital component of a healthy lifestyle. The NHI recommends the following steps to reduce stress and build resilience.  

• Recognize and counter signs of stress. Your body sends signals that it is stressed, including difficulty concentrating, headaches, cold hands, tight muscles, a nervous stomach, clenched teeth, feeling on edge, fidgety, irritable, or withdrawn. Knowing how your body communicates can help you deal with stressful moments. Learn to not only recognize but also to name these feelings, either to oneself or to a friend. Then, take action to counter their effects. For example, deep breathing, stretching, going for a walk, writing down your thoughts and taking quiet time to focus can help induce relaxation and reduce tension.
  

• Take time for yourself. Make taking care of yourself a daily routine. It is not selfish or self-indulgent — and it might require saying “no” to requests or prioritizing yourself along with your responsibilities. Start with slight changes in your routine to help build resilience to stressful circumstances. Work in time to exercise, eat healthy foods, participate in relaxing activities and sleep. In fact, including a regimen of exercise, which for some may include yoga or meditation, can be very important when feeling stressed. Also, take time to notice the “good minutes” in each day or to do something that you enjoy, such as reading a book or listening to music, which can be a way to shift your attention and focus on the positive rather than the negative. 
  

• Try new routines. From scheduling bath and bedtimes to blocking off time to plan and prioritize tasks, additional structure can provide a daily framework that allows you to attune to your body’s signals. Then, you can take steps to potentially manage stress earlier than you once did. 
  

• Stay connected and make new friends. Stay in touch with family, friends, and groups in your life — technology makes this easier than ever. Having or being a person to talk with can be reassuring and calming. Using video features can enhance the connection in telecommunication or online communications for some people. 
  

• See problems through a different lens. Experts call changing the way we think about and respond to stress “reframing.” View sitting in traffic or around the house as an opportunity to enjoy music, podcasts, or pleasant views. Reduce anger in response to rude or aggressive behavior by imagining what might be happening in that person’s life. Keeping situations in perspective is an important way to boost stress resilience. Other steps include positive thinking and creating plans before you begin to resolve problems. You can practice reframing and get better at it over time. 
  

• Seek help with problems. Many people experience the same day-to-day strains related to caregiving, relationships, health, work, and money. Look to friends and family, as appropriate, or other trusted individuals or resources for tips and information. 
  

• Talk to a health professional if stress is affecting your well-being, you feel you cannot manage the stress you are experiencing, or stress has caused you to engage in or increase substance use.  
  

Recognizing individual signals of a body’s stress responses and learning to respond to those signals in new ways can help build the emotional, intellectual, and physical strength that comprise resilience, which can help you tackle future stressors (NIH).  

Medicare Reimbursement

Medicare reimbursement letters were sent by the district on March 18, 2025. If you have already sent your benefits verification letter for 2025, you do not have to resubmit it. Medicare reimbursement applies to both the retiree member and spouses who are covered by district health insurance. Each individual must submit a Benefits Verification letter by May 15, 2025, in order to receive reimbursement in June 2025. This year the district will be doing the reimbursements via direct deposit to members’ accounts. A letter was sent out by the district to facilitate payments. If you have any questions about the reimbursement or the process you can email benefits@kingstoncityschools.org or call the Benefits office at Kingston City Schools 845-943-3000. Both the verification letter and the signed direct deposit form must be in by May 15, 2025, to get your payment in June 2025. A copy of the reimbursement form is attached to this issue of this Trustee. 

Returning From a Leave 

Active members who are returning to work from a leave of absence are reminded that they must notify the KTF Trust Fund in order to reinstate their Health and Dental insurance. Please email enrollment@ktftrustfund.com with your date of return. 

Important Reminder for all Members – Changes in Status 

 It is imperative to notify the Trust Office of any status changes (marriage, divorce, legal separation, births, deaths, dependents, dependent age 26, address, child custody, disability, active/retired), and any condition affecting special programs, such as diabetes, prenatal, infertility, and weight loss. Failure to do so can be costly to the member and may even result in loss of benefits. Please send updated information to enrollment@ktftrustfund.com  or call the Trust office at 844-583-3863. 

 Update on the Trust Changes  

Contrary to the rumors circulating, the KTF plan benefits have not changed. Provider reimbursements are contractual and continue at the same rates. Also, members’ copay amounts remain the same. If a provider tells you that your co-pay has increased, please question the provider and notify the compliance office. We will reach out to the provider as well.  

One area that can increase charges for their services is Licensed Massage Therapy. The Trust continues to provide medically necessary massage therapy for members. However, the trust pays a maximum of $70.00 per massage, regardless of the therapist charges. The member is responsible for a $30 copay. If the therapist charges more than the allowed $100, the member is responsible for the additional cost. As with all medical treatments, no gratuity should be requested or expected.  

On a positive note- Members and providers now have access to several improvements including being able to see claims processing in real time, access to prior authorization and to pre-certifications – in writing with all expectations clearly stated, which will reduce the need for appeals.  

 Pharmacy update 

If you need help with drug costs such as a high drug copay or are having a problem with prescription authorizations, please contact John Olsen at 833-599-6777 x200.  

 

 

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In Memoriam

Donald Kachmor           Louise Lefkovits