October is Health Literacy Month: A Guide on PCPs, Health Screenings, and Open Enrollment 2025
Shane Moran and Pamela Meredith Hamilton
In celebration of Health Literacy Month, FEAP is pleased to share valuable information on accessing primary care at the University Medical Center, obtaining health screenings, and navigating UVA Open Enrollment 2025.
Accessing Primary Care at UVA
Are you looking for a primary care physician (PCP)? Whether you’re new to UVA, adjusting to health insurance benefits, recently moved, or ready for a change, choosing a PCP is an important first step in managing your healthcare.
Your PCP is your medical “home base,” the doctor you visit for routine screenings, checkups, and non-emergency illnesses like sore throats or earaches. They also refer you to specialists when needed, especially if you have an HMO. Your PCP will help with:
Preventive care to avoid illness
Treatment of common health issues
Early detection of medical conditions
Management of chronic conditions
Specialist referrals
As you know, regular checkups are crucial for tracking changes in your health and detecting potential issues early. To schedule an appointment at UVA Health’s new Employee Primary Care Clinic, call 434.297.4680 or log into your UVA Health MyChart account.
This clinic offers primary and same-day care for employees and team members on the UVA Health Plan. It’s conveniently located at:
University Medical Center
1300 Jefferson Park Avenue
West Complex, Collins Wing, 3rd Fl.
Finding a PCP Outside of the Medical Center
If you're on the UVA Health Plan and looking for a doctor outside of the UVA Medical Center, you can visit aetna.com to explore options or call the A1A Advocate Team at 800.987.9072.
Preparing for your Appointment
Before your appointment, take time to jot down any questions, concerns, or symptoms you want to discuss with your healthcare provider. This preparation ensures that you make the most of your time, helping you address all your health needs. It’s easy to forget important details in the moment, so having a written list allows you to stay organized and focused—think about recent symptoms, changes in your health, or medications you’re taking, and consider asking for clarification on any previous advice.
Health Screenings
When you’re feeling different in your body or mind, you should not ignore it. Each year, a significant number of lives are saved through early detection via health screenings, both mental and physical.
Physical Health Screenings
Regular physical health screenings such as mammograms, colonoscopies, and blood pressure checks are critical in detecting cancers and cardiovascular issues early, reducing mortality rates for diseases like breast cancer and colon cancer (UCHealth).
Learn more about what physical health screenings you might consider getting, according to UVA Radiology and Medical Imaging:
Here is another list that organizes them based on your age and gender below:
Learn also about Prevention and Wellness:
Mental Health Screenings
With October 10 being National Depression Screening Day and World Mental Health day, we find it important to express how mental health screenings play a key role in early intervention. In 2021, 5.4 million people took a mental health screening, and these screenings help reduce the average 11-year delay between the onset of symptoms and first intervention (One Mind). Early detection and treatment in mental health not only improve life quality but also reduce long-term health complications.
Taking an online mental health screening is one of the fastest and most convenient ways to assess whether you might be experiencing symptoms of a mental health condition. Mental Health America (MHA) offers free, confidential tests, allowing you to receive immediate results and guidance on next steps. These screenings can help you better understand your mental health and provide resources for support if needed.
What do Results from a Mental Health Test Mean?
It is important to note that these mental health tests are like those used by professionals and offer valuable insights but are not a full diagnosis. They can only indicate the possibility of conditions like depression but lack the nuance of an in-person evaluation.
Diagnosing mental health is complex, as symptoms often overlap, and there are several external factors that can play a role, including physical health. A therapist or doctor can observe non-verbal cues, ask clarifying questions, and track changes over time—things an online test can't do.
Therefore, mental health tests are just a place to start. To gain a fuller picture, it's essential to consult a professional and learn more about mental health through education and shared experiences. While mental health tests and online resources can help, they're not a substitute for personalized care.
Whether or not you take one of these tests, FEAP is available for individual consultation and short term, focused counseling for a variety of personal issues and common concerns—including helping you discover best steps for finding long-term personalized care.
Open Enrollment 2025
Maintaining a healthy and happy community at the University contributes to our collective and individual sense of well-being. With this in mind, FEAP has summarized important pieces of the Open Enrollment Process to support you in making choices that are best for you.
When is Open Enrollment 2025?
Open Enrollment for Plan Year 2025 begins, today, October 7, and ends October 18. This means that you will have the opportunity to newly elect or change your benefits using Workday until October 18.
What Happens if I Missed the Deadline?
If you don't complete the 2025 Open Enrollment in Workday, your current health, dental, vision, and Health Savings Account (HSA) choices from 2024 will carry over to next year.
Your 2024 HSA employee contribution will also continue into 2025, and you can adjust this amount at any time. However, if you had a Flexible Spending Account (FSA) in 2024, it will not carry over to 2025 unless you take action.
If you start making changes in Workday but don't submit them, any changes in progress will be lost, and your 2024 choices will stay in place, except for your FSA.
After Open Enrollment closes, you will not be able to make any changes to your health, dental, vision benefits unless you experience a qualified life event.
What if I don’t know which benefits are best for me?
There are many, many ways to learn more, but first, you can start by visiting the Open Enrollment Website.
Additional Ways to Learn More
Attend a Benefits and Well-Being Expo
Be part of our healthy community and learn how to make the most of your benefits by connecting with the HR benefits, leave, and retirement teams, as well as Hoos Well and FEAP (yes, we’ll be there). You can also meet local community partners at the Benefits and Well-Being Expo.
Visit Resources Webpage
This webpage provides key information about UVA's 2025 Open Enrollment, including how to evaluate health plans, attend virtual presentations, and access personalized assistance. It also highlights resources like the Benefits and Well-Being Expo, informative videos, and retirement tools, helping you make informed decisions about your benefits and health options.
Schedule an appointment with a Benefits Counselor
Benefits Counselors are available to meet and support you! Schedule an appointment by emailing, AskHr@virginia.edu
Maintaining your well-being and making informed choices during Open Enrollment is essential for your health and happiness within the University community. By reviewing the options available and utilizing the many resources provided—such as the Open Enrollment website, Benefits and Well-Being Expo, and personalized support from Benefits Counselors (email: AskHr@virginia.edu)—you can confidently make the best decisions for your health, dental, vision, and savings plans.
Don’t miss this opportunity to take charge of your benefits before the October 18 deadline!
Conclusion
Health Literacy Month is a reminder of the importance of staying informed and proactive about your health. Whether you are selecting a primary care physician, getting essential health screenings, or navigating the Open Enrollment process for plan year 2025, these steps contribute to your overall well-being and the health of the UVA community.
FEAP encourages all employees to take advantage of the resources available, including the Employee Primary Care Clinic, health screenings, and the UVA Benefits that meet their needs. By staying engaged and informed, you can make the best choices for your physical, mental, and financial health, ensuring a healthier and more fulfilling future at UVA.
Contact FEAP
FEAP (8am-5pm M-F): 434-243-2643 (uvafeap.com)
FEAP After-Hours Support: 434-243-2643
About the Authors
Shane M. Moran
Shane Moran is a Communications Specialist with UVA HR, where he supports the communications and marketing efforts for UVA's Total Rewards Programs. He is dedicated to sharing vital information with faculty and staff about physical and mental health, aiming to help them stay healthy and fulfilled as they contribute to the University's 2030 Plan vision—to be both great and good.
Shane holds a degree in Government and English from the College of William & Mary and is currently pursuing an MFA in Poetry at The New School in New York City.
Pamela Meredith Hamilton
Pamela specializes in marriage and family education, blending her passion for healthy relationships with practical and creative coaching methods. Her personal and professional experiences in community mental health inform her work, helping her address the impacts of mental illness, substance abuse, and trauma.
Pamela is dedicated to encouraging, restoring, and empowering individuals. She is also a qualified mental health professional, author, storyteller, life and relationship coach, motivational speaker, small group facilitator, Emotional Emancipation Facilitator, mental health first aider, Mediator, and former host of The Hamilton Exchange Radio.