To: All U.S.-based CenturyLink employees

Summary
The purpose of this email is to highlight the tobacco cessation programs available within the Wellness benefit of company-sponsored medical plans and the process for obtaining prescription medication. Additionally, this email includes information regarding the American Cancer Society's Quit For Life® Program, the nation's leading tobacco cessation program.

Who does this affect?

• Regular full-time employees and your eligible dependents enrolled in a UnitedHealthcare (UHC) or Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield administered medical plan.


• In addition, employees not enrolled in a UHC or Highmark medical plan are eligible to participate in the Quit For Life program.

What action is needed?

If you would like to participate in a tobacco cessation program, the following options are available to employees and covered dependents. If your household is tobacco-free, or if smokers are enrolled in a tobacco cessation program in 2012, you will qualify for discounts on the cost of your medical coverage during the next annual enrollment period. Get started becoming tobacco-free today.

UnitedHealthCare:

A member and or a dependent over the age of 18 must call (877) 784-8797 to speak with an enrollment specialist who sets up an appointment with the tobacco cessation wellness coach within approximately 3-4 weeks. Once the member speaks with the tobacco cessation wellness coach and formally enrolls in the program, authorization is submitted to Medco on the same day for the prescription medication (i.e., Chantix, Wellbutrin or Zyban). Medco has a two business day turn around on the authorization for the medication.

• Members are connected with a dedicated wellness coach. The wellness coach provides positive ongoing education, motivation, inspiration and support to help the member achieve behavior change and long-term goals. The QuitPower Program offers a six-month telephonic coaching program with up to eight calls with a personal health coach.

Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield:

• Telephonic Smokeless® is a one-year telephone-based program with five scheduled phone calls conducted by a professional tobacco cessation specialist who helps guide participants through the process of quitting tobacco. An eight-week supply of discounted nicotine replacement products (gum or patch) is also available to Smokeless participants at a discounted price of $25. Call (800) 345-2476 to enroll.


• Guided Self-Help Smokeless® is a self-administered tobacco cessation program that helps you quit at your own pace. You have unlimited toll-free access to a qualified tobacco cessation counselor. An eight-week supply of discounted nicotine replacement products (gum or patch) is also available to Smokeless participants at a discounted price of $25. Call (800) 345-2476 to enroll.


• HealthMedia BREATHE® is a tailored online tobacco cessation program designed to meet individual quitting needs with a tailored action plan and three follow-up action plans delivered at critical relapse times.


• Go to Members can logon at www.highmarkbcbs.com and complete the login process


• Select REGISTER NOW if you do not have a login ID or password.


• Choose the YOUR HEALTH tab


• Click IMPROVE YOUR HEALTH


• Click on the QUIT SMOKING category and KICK THE HABIT to enroll in this program now. No nicotine replacement products are available with this program.

American Cancer Society - Quit For Life Program:

• Quit For Life is a telephonic based program where employees and their spouses or domestic partners are eligible for five coaching sessions with a Quit Coach®, eight weeks of Patch or Gum (FREE), unlimited toll free inbound access and a self help Quit Guide.


• The program employs the 4 Essential Practices to Quit For Life, evidence-based principles to help people quit all types of tobacco.


• Quit At Your Own Pace – Quit on your own terms, but get the help you need, when you need it.


• Conquer Your Urges to Smoke – Gain the skills you need to control cravings, urges and situations involving alcohol.


• Use Medications So They Really Work – Learn how to supercharge your quit attempt with the proper use of nicotine substitutes or medications.


• Don't Just Quit, Become a Nonsmoker – Once you've stopped using tobacco, learn to never again have that "first" cigarette.


• For more information about the Quit For Life Program, call 866.QUIT.4.LIFE or www.quitnow.net.


• For more information about the American Cancer Society, visit www.cancer.org.

Who can I contact if I have additional questions?

• If you have questions about the Smoking Cessation programs offered through your medical plan you can contact UnitedHealthcare at (866) 868-5484 or Highmark BCBS at (888) 258-3428.


• If you have questions regarding the Quit For Life Program you can contact (866) 784-8454.