Elements Newsletter

2009 Open Enrollment Is Fast Approaching!

It’s almost time for 2009 Open Enrollment — your opportunity to make changes to your Chevron Phillips Chemical benefits for the coming year. During the October 16 – October 31 enrollment period, you’ll be able to:

• Change your medical or dental coverage,
• Enroll in the Health Care and/or Dependent Care flexible spending accounts,
• Change your life, accident and/or long-term disability coverage, and
• Add, change or discontinue coverage for you and/or your dependents.

So please start thinking now about what the 2009 benefit changes might mean for you and your family, and whether you want to make any changes to your benefit coverage, so you’ll be ready when enrollment comes around!

What’s Changing for 2009

Chevron Phillips Chemical has made a few changes to its benefit plan designs for the new plan year. Here’s a brief overview of what’s new for 2009. More information will be found in your 2009 Open Enrollment Guide.

• Premium rates will increase for the medical plan (see your personalized enrollment worksheet in your Open Enrollment packet for your exact rates), but no increase for the dental plan.
• No changes to the premium rates for employee supplemental life insurance, supplemental accident insurance, spouse supplemental life insurance and voluntary long-term disability.
• Copays and out-of-pocket expenses will change as follows:
• $150 emergency room copay plus 10% of total cost under Core option,
• Urgent care copay decreases from $100 to $75 under Core option (see the Urgent Care article on page 3 for more details about this treatment option), and
• $10 copay for Diabetes America under the Cost-Saver option (already a $10 copay under the Core option).
• We’ll be introducing FSA debit cards for prescriptions and FSA-eligible over-the-counter (OTC) items.
• You’ll now have access to Aetna’s secure, online Personal Health Record (see page 2 for more details about this great tool!).
• Benefits under the Comprehensive Dental Plan have been improved:
• The annual benefit will increase from $1,500 to $1,750,
• The orthodontia lifetime maximum will increase from $1,500 to $1,750,
• The orthodontia deductible will be eliminated, and
• Coverage will be provided for implants.

The 2009 Open Enrollment Process

Keep an eye out for your 2009 Open Enrollment Packet, which will be mailed to your home during the early part of October. The packet summarizes your coverage options under Chevron Phillips Chemical’s benefit plans, provides more details on benefit plan changes for 2009, and explains how to enroll online or over the phone through the Chevron Phillips Chemical Benefits Service Center.

Reminders:

• 2009 Open Enrollment will run from October 16 through October 31, 2008.
• You need to enroll in the Health Care and/or Dependent Care Spending Accounts for 2009 if you want to participate, even if you are currently participating. These accounts allow you to be reimbursed with tax-free dollars for health care and dependent care expenses you’d incur anyway. So why not save a little on your taxes as well?

Introducing The Personal Health Record

The Personal Health Record, available January 1, 2009, is a secure, confidential online tool that makes it easy to view, organize and use your personal health information. A separate Personal Health Record is available for you and each family member covered under your health plan. It contains medical information from your insurance claims, but also makes it easy to enter health information only you would know, such as allergies and your family health history. The more information you provide, the more useful your Personal Health Record can be.

Your Personal Health Record combines all this information into a single record, and includes a "home page" called the Health Summary where you can view your information in one place.

The Personal Health Record makes it easy to safely store your health information online, find the information when you need it, and use this information to help you stay healthy and safe. For example, it’s easy to print a Health Summary to show your doctors and talk about your health during office visits. It also makes it easier to fill out forms at different doctors’ offices, hospitals and other health care facilities.

Your Personal Health Record is Private, Safe and Secure

Aetna is committed to protecting the privacy of personal health information, and has taken great care to assure that each record is kept confidential, private and secure — in compliance with federal and state laws. Access to the Personal Health Record requires a secure username and password, so the user controls who sees the information. Employers do not have access to the information in each Personal Health Record, and it cannot be used in any way to limit the ability to get or use medical insurance.

From time to time, you may receive Alerts and Reminders on your secure, private log-in page. They’ll show you how to take action to maintain or improve your health and they may offer alternative treatment options for you to talk over with your doctor. You can also receive "Reminders" based on your health profile so you know when you’re due for annual exams such as a mammogram, colonoscopy or physical.

The Personal Health Record is also handy in case of medical emergencies. You can print a copy of your Health Summary to keep in your car, your purse, or your briefcase so it’s always available to share with medical providers. Plus, you can easily print a helpful Emergency Card that includes names and phone numbers for your health team and other vital information, such as allergies you may have to certain medicines, like penicillin.

And it’s simple to get started!

1. First, visit www.aetna.com, and enter the username and password you use to view your benefit information through Aetna Navigator. If you’re a first-time visitor, you should create a username and password. You will use this to securely access your Personal Health Record each time you visit.
2. Then click on the Personal Health Record link, and you’re on your way.
3. The first time you log on to your Personal Health Record, you will automatically have the option to enter information using the Walk Me Through tool, which makes it easy to enter health information not found in your claims.

New FSA Debit Cards for Prescription Drug Purchases

Effective January 1, 2009, Chevron Phillips Chemical will be offering employees an easy, convenient way to access their health care flexible spending account (FSA) funds for the payment of prescriptions and FSA-eligible over-the-counter (OTC) items. The FSA Debit Card is designed to be a cost-saving tool for employers and employees.

Employees enrolled in a health care FSA plan can use the new debit card to pay for prescriptions and FSA-eligible OTC items. The expense is automatically deducted from a participant’s FSA, in most cases doing away with the need for an employee to pay the expenses up front, submit a claim, and then wait for reimbursement.

Chevron Phillips Chemical is offering its new debit card at no charge to enrolled participants. Additionally, the FSA Debit Card complies with the latest IRS regulations, which now stipulate that cards can be used at any pharmacy with an "inventory information approval system," or IIAS, installed. The technology means the system knows immediately if the expense is eligible. An IIAS means lower risk for employers because an employee can’t accidentally use the card for something that is not FSA-eligible, and it offers greater convenience for employees who make their purchases at one of these locations because it means they never have to submit a receipt.

Urgent Care: Because Illnesses and Injuries Do Not Occur on Your Schedule

Mild headaches, stomach aches and sprained ankles can be painful, but don’t usually require immediate attention. We call these conditions urgent because prompt care is required, but the condition is not life threatening. So what are your options? Go to the emergency room? Try to get in to see your primary doctor? Both of these options have their challenges — lengthy waits and possible scheduling conflicts. Have you thought of an Urgent Care clinic?

Urgent care is intended to help patients who are unable to see their primary care physician, do not have one or are visiting the area.

Why should you go to an Urgent Care facility instead of an emergency room?

1. Faster than going to the Emergency Room.
2. Less expensive than the Emergency Room.

Urgent Care can be especially comforting for those parents of infants and toddlers when afternoon earaches, sore throats or fever strikes. With X-ray and lab services on site, Urgent Care clinics can also take care of those Saturday sports sprains, bumps and bruises.

Because emergency rooms take patients whose conditions are most serious first, you could have a lengthy wait if your condition is not an emergency. So why not go to an Urgent Care facility where the primary goal is to meet urgent needs. Also, if you have out-of-pocket expenses for urgent care, they will be less than the out-of-pocket expenses for emergency care.

Urgent Care — an innovative and less expensive alternative to the emergency room for minor illnesses and injuries! For a list of Urgent Care Facilities, visit DocFind^® at www.aetna.com. Select "Facilities" under the "Provider Category" and "Urgent Care Facilities" under the "Provider Type."

Don’t Forget About These Other Special Features to Help You Manage Your Health!

AETNA AEXCEL^®: SPECIALTY CARE THAT’S AFFORDABLE

Whether you have a heart condition, require knee surgery or are in need of an obstetrician, Aetna Aexcel® has a specialist with the skill and experience to meet your needs, at a price you can afford.

With Aetna Aexcel®, you have access to specialists in 12 areas of critical care:

• Cardiology
• Cardiothoracic Surgery
• Gastroenterology
• General Surgery
• Obstetrics and Gynecology
• Orthopedics
• Otolaryngology/ENT
• Neurology
• Neurosurgery
• Plastic Surgery
• Urology
• Vascular Surgery

Accessing an Aetna Aexcel^®-designated specialist is easy — no referral is needed, which means you save on primary care office visits. To locate an Aetna Aexcel^®-designated specialist, just look for the doctors with a star next to their names in DocFind^®, Aetna’s online directory (www.aetna.com/docfind).

So the next time you need specialty care, consider an Aetna Aexcel^®-designated specialist. You’ll have access to the very best care, from a top-performing physician, at a price that’s within your means.

Walk-In Clinics Covered By Aetna

Imagine high-quality, affordable health care for routine medical issues and preventive care without having to work around a doctor’s schedule. All you have to do is walk in any time you need care, and if medications are required after your visit, they can be ordered right there through the in-store pharmacy. You’ll receive care from specially trained nurse practitioners who are so professional and caring that 98% of patients rate their service as outstanding, and the facilities are conveniently located inside stores you typically shop in.

Open 7 days a week, with extended hours, most of the walk-in clinics offer Get Well services for adults and children 2 years and older. Nurse practitioners treat common medical conditions, such as colds, coughs, sinus infections, flu, ear infections, urinary tract infections, and skin rashes.

Stay Well services — such as flu shots; cholesterol, glucose, and other screenings; physical exams and vaccinations — are also provided to help you maintain your health. For a list of participating network walk-in clinics, visit DocFind^® at www.aetna.com.

Diabetes America — A Diabetes Wellness and Management Resource

Chevron Phillips Chemical employees enrolled in either medical plan option will have access to Diabetes America, an established network of diabetes care and management centers across the state of Texas. Diabetes America offers a variety of personalized treatment and educational programs, including medical treatment, diabetes education, nutritional counseling, and exercise and lifestyle instruction. When you visit a Diabetes America treatment center, you’re only responsible for a $10 copay (under both the Core and Cost-Saver options) for the services you receive.

Whether you’ve recently been diagnosed with diabetes, have had diabetes for a while and have ongoing diabetes management needs, or need preventive care because you’ve been diagnosed as pre-diabetic, Diabetes America can help. The expert staff at Diabetes America work with your current physician to develop a personalized diabetes care plan that compliments and reinforces the plan you may already have from your treating physician — they don’t replace your personal doctor.

For more information about Diabetes America and the services it offers, or to see if there’s a facility close to you, visit www.diabetesamerica.com. You can also schedule appointments online or by calling 1-866-MY-DIABETES (1-866-693-4223).

Did You Know?

Wellness Fun Facts

New Website Provides Hospital Quality Comparisons

Hospital Compare, a new website launched by a partnership of private and public organizations, provides health consumers with the information they need to compare the quality of care hospitals provide. The information on the website has been provided primarily by hospitals participating in a national project called the Hospital Quality Alliance (HQA): Improving Care Through Information. To compare the quality of care for hospitals in your area, visit the Hospital Compare website www.hospitalcompare.hhs.gov.

Healthy Aging

Myth: Health inevitably declines as we get older. Reality: People at any age can improve their health by adopting healthy behaviors. Research has shown that healthy lifestyles have a greater impact than genetic factors on our health as we age. People who are physically active, eat a healthy diet, do not use tobacco and practice other healthy behaviors, reduce their risk for chronic diseases and have half the rate of disability of those who do not.

Source: "Healthy Aging: Preventing Disease and Improving Quality of Life Among Older Americans, At a Glance 2005," Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, www.cdc.gov

Antibacterial Soaps No Better at Cleaning Hands

Antibacterial soaps containing triclosan are no more effective than plain soap in cleaning hands, reducing bacteria, and preventing common infections found in a household setting, according to the results of a new study. Allison Aiello, assistant professor of epidemiology at the University of Michigan School of Public Health and lead researcher for the study, thinks it is unnecessary to use antibacterial soaps in a home setting based on the research.

Source: Emerging Infectious Diseases, October 2005, www.cdc.gov/eid and University of Michigan press release, Oct. 24, 2005.

More Americans Going Online for Wellness Information

Nearly 95 million Americans use the Internet to find health information, according to a 2005 survey conducted for the Pew Internet and American Life Project. Searching for information on specific diseases and medical problems was the most sought-after health information. But the survey (an update to one conducted in 2002) also found that there has been a dramatic increase in searching the Internet for wellness information on such topics as diet, nutrition and exercise.

Source: "Health Information Online," Pew Internet and American Life Project, www.pewinternet.org.
National Wellness InstituteStevens Point, WI 54481-0827

September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month

NCP Recruiting for Opportunities in Saudi Arabia

It is estimated that 234,000 new cases of prostate cancer will be diagnosed in the United States this year.

That makes prostate cancer the most common cancer among American men, except for skin cancer. More than 27,000 deaths due to prostate cancer are expected to occur this year.

The good news is that the outlook for men diagnosed with prostate cancer is better than ever. Fifty-eight percent of all prostate cancers are found early, while the tumor is still localized, and the five-year survival rate for these men is 99 percent.

Are all prostate tumors cancerous?

Many men, especially as they age, are affected by an overgrowth of prostate tissue. At times, this tissue overgrowth is benign, meaning that the cells do not contain cancer. This prostate condition is called benign prostatic hypertrophy, or BPH. Other times, abnormal cancerous cells characterize the overgrowth of tissue, and this is referred to as a malignancy or cancer of the prostate.

Risk Factors

Researchers still do not know what causes prostate cancer. They have, however, been able to identify risk factors that are consistently associated with prostate cancer. The role that some identified risk factors play in the development of prostate cancer is less clear because research studies have provided conflicting results in some areas.

Age: After age 50, the chance of developing prostate cancer begins to increase. More than 80 percent of all prostate cancers occur in men 65 years and older.

Race: Prostate cancer is twice as prevalent among African-American males as it is among their Caucasian counterparts.

Ethnicity: Prostate cancer is most common in North America and northwestern Europe. It occurs less frequently in Asia, Africa, Central America and South America.

Diet: The results of most studies show men who eat a high-fat diet have an increased chance of developing prostate cancer. Some research has shown that men who eat higher-fat diets tend to eat less fruits and vegetables. These factors may also play a part in the development of prostate cancer.

Recent studies show a diet high in lycopenes (found in higher levels in colorful fruits and vegetables) and selenium, may lower the risk of developing prostate cancer.

Exercise: Maintaining a healthy weight along with regular physical activity may reduce the risk of prostate cancer.

Family history: Prostate cancer appears to have a genetic link. Having a father or brother with the disease doubles a man’s risk of developing it. The risk gets even greater if several relatives have been affected, particularly if they were young at the time of diagnosis. The recent discovery of the HPC1 gene will soon give more information about the inherited risk of prostate cancer. Tests to find abnormal prostate cancer genes may one day become available to help identify men at increased risk for developing prostate cancer.

Vasectomy: Men who have undergone vasectomy (a surgical procedure that renders them sterile) may have an increased risk of getting prostate cancer, according to some studies. Findings in this area have been inconsistent. Some studies have shown an increased risk after vasectomy, yet others have not.

Source: Dollinger M, Rosenbaum, EH, Tempero M., et al., Everyone’s Guide to Cancer Therapy, Fourth Edition, Kansas City, Missouri: Andrews McMeel Publishing, 2002.

When Rising Costs Keep Higher Education Out of Reach

In the past five years, the average cost of in-state tuition and fees at public colleges has jumped 35% (after adjustment for inflation) according to the College Board. In the past 25 years, the average cost of tuition and fees has risen faster than personal income, consumer prices and even health insurance. For the academic year 2006 – 2007, the average cost of tuition, room and board at a public university was $12,796; for a private school, the total averaged $30,367.

These price tags put higher education out of reach for many; but for employees who have the desire to either finish or continue their education, Chevron Phillips Chemical has a program designed to help with the costs.

After successful completion of approved courses, Chevron Phillips Chemical’s Educational Refund Policy (ERP) provides an 80% refund for tuition and required fees, plus the lesser of 80%, or $100, for textbooks per course. This reimbursement can be used for:

• Undergraduate, graduate and doctoral degree programs,
• Non-degree certificate programs,
• Business school, correspondence schools or vocational-trade school non-degree courses, or
• Maintaining a professional certificate, license or registration.

To be eligible for the ERP, your course of study must:

1. Be directly related to your current position,
2. Enhance your potential to advance to a position within the Company, or
3. Contribute to your overall professional development.

Employees may enroll for up to six credit hours a semester, but these courses must be taken on their own time and should not conflict with normal hours of employment or work duties.

If you are interested in taking advantage of the ERP, start by talking to your supervisor and obtaining their approval and support. For detailed ERP requirements and procedures, visit nSight > Departments > Human Resources > Employee Help > HR Guidelines > 4050 Educational Refund Policy.

Trim Your Health Care Costs

The easiest way to trim your medical costs is to simply stay healthy. Doctor’s office co-pays and prescription drugs can sap your already strained bank account. In fact, for the average family in the U.S., out-of-pocket medical expenses exceed 10% of their annual income.*

Many health-care costs are driven by lifestyle-related behaviors such as smoking, poor diet and lack of exercise. Chevron Phillips Chemical offers numerous free programs, available to all employees, to encourage a healthier lifestyle.

For tobacco users, there’s the Free & Clear^® Quit for Life^™ Program, which offers phone-based treatment sessions with a professional tobacco treatment specialist. A “quit coach” works with you one-on-one to develop a tailored quit plan and provides guidance during the quit process. Free & Clear^® will mail Nicotine Replacement Therapy directly to your home for free.

For those looking to shed a few pounds, there’s the Weight Watchers at Work program. Identical to the traditional Weight Watchers program, Chevron Phillips Chemical’s program has the added benefit of weekly meetings scheduled over the lunch hour at work. Participation is open to all employees and contractors at facilities with active site programs. The company pays half of the membership fee for employees. Currently, Headquarters, Cedar Bayou, Pasadena and Sweeny all have established programs. But all you need to get started is 15 interested employees!

If maintaining a consistent exercise regimen is your challenge, Aetna’s Simple Steps to a Healthier Life^® is a free, personalized online health and wellness program designed to help you eat better, lose weight, get in shape, relieve stress and more — in simple, easy steps — and at your own pace. The program is completely voluntary, confidential and available to any employee enrolled in the Core or Cost-saver medical options.

Other free Chevron Phillips Chemical wellness related programs include:

• Aetna’s 24-Hour Nurse Line — Discuss medical procedures and possible treatments with a trained professional if you are enrolled in the Core or Cost-saver medical options.
• Aetna’s Employee Assistance Program — Obtain confidential guidance on personal issues such as marital distress, relationship issues, substance abuse, workplace conflict, stress, or personal and family issues.
• Diabetes America** — Diabetes management, education, nutrition counseling/weight management, lifestyle instruction and exercise, and onsite labs and retinal exams are available to employees enrolled in the Core or Cost-saver medical options.

Detailed information on each of these wellness offerings, along with contact phone numbers and websites, can be found on nSight > Departments > Environment, Health & Safety > Corporate Medical > Wellness. For questions, contact April South, Wellness Coordinator, or your local HR Business Partner.

* Towers Perrin.
** Available to employees in the greater Houston and Dallas areas.

Who to Call for HR Help

When you have a general HR question, your first call should be to your HR Business Partner. Each HR Business Partner is assigned to a specific group of Chevron Phillips Chemical employees and serves as a sounding board for HR-related issues and questions. HR Business Partners can help you with questions concerning policies, hiring practices, recruiting, severance, transfers, compensation, performance management, talent stewardship, diversity, professional development and training. Not sure who your HR Business Partner is? Check the chart below to find out.

To update employee data and employee verifications, contact the Employee Service Center via:

• Phone: 1-800-446-1422
• Email: CPCRAHRServiceTeam@cpchem.com

And lastly, for health and welfare benefit plan related questions, contact the Chevron Phillips Chemical Benefits Service Center via:

• Phone: 1-800-446-1422, Opt 1
• Web: https://p32web.mercerhrs.com/cpchem/

All of this information and more can be found on nSight under Departments > Human Resources > Employee Help > Who’s Who in HR.

Preventing Workplace Violence

A new Violence in the Workplace training module has been issued for all U.S. dollar paid Chevron Phillips Chemical employees. This updated course, provided by Corpedia, provides a more standardized approach to recognizing and preventing workplace violence.

To access and complete the new Violence in the Workplace training modules, click the LMS icon on your desktop. Once you have logged into LMS, click on "Learning," which will bring up your Learning Plan. Choose one of the following:

• "Violence in the Workplace: Essentials" (All employees)
• "Violence in the Workplace: Managers" (Managers/Supervisors)
• Click on "Launch Content" in the drop down menu next to the course name.
• Finally, click the "Go" button.

The employee module should take approximately 30 minutes to complete, while the supervisors course should take around 40 minutes. The course must be completed within 90 days from the assigned date, and the retraining interval will be every three years.

For more information, contact your HR Business Partner.