Tip Tuesday: Fend Off Allergies!

As April lingers before us and spring is in full bloom, it's no wonder many of us are suffering from allergies. This morning I checked my e-mail and found a great article in my inbox from RealAge, an Allergy Alert bulletin with some very helpful tips.

This article on Avoiding Allergens I found to be most helpful.

The Highlights:
1. Be strategic about outdoor activities.
2. Shower off -- pets, too.
3. Protect indoor air.
4. Wash and dry

On another note, we've all heard that eating well is synonymous with maintaining a healthy weight and lifestyle, but what about diet having an effect on allergies?

According to RealAge, "One dietary approach in particular has mounting research behind it. Studies suggest that a Mediterranean-style diet may have benefits for people with allergies. In fact, cultures that subsist on Mediterranean diets have a much lower incidence of allergy and asthma than here in the United States." Click here to read how the delicious and nutritious elements of this approach to eating may help.

I don't know about you but I have definitely been bit by the allergy bug this year. My mom sent me a link this week to pollen.com - where you can actually check the pollen forecast in your area! Might be a good resource to use when planning your outdoor activities - strategically that is. Just like we watch the weather channel every morning, maybe we should get into the habit of checking our allergy forecast too - at least for you and I suffering from the spring sniffles!

Until next week,
Michelle D.

The 411 on the Health Care Bill

As many of you are probably aware, the Health Reform Bill passed Sunday night by a narrow margin in the House of Representatives. As the health care debate continues to heat up, many of us are sitting back wondering exactly what changes - and benefits - the American people will see as a result of this bill.

I came across an interesting article by Kaiser Health News entitled "The Immediate Effects of The Health Reform Bill," by Julie Appleby and Kate Steadman. In my opinion, this article does a great job of explaining both the short term and long term effects we can expect from the health reform bill.

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Changes that would occur this year include:

1. Dependent children could remain on their parents' health insurance plans until age 26.
2. Some senior citizens would get more help paying for drugs in Medicare.
3. People with health problems that left them uninsurable could qualify for coverage through a federal program.

Some of the items that go into effect in the first year include:

• New help for some uninsured: People with a medical condition that has left them uninsurable may be able to enroll in a new federally subsidized insurance program that is to be established within 90 days. The legislation appropriates $5 billion for this, although that may not be enough to cover all who apply; it's not clear how much consumers would pay as their share of the cost. About 200,000 people are covered in similar state programs currently, at an estimated cost of $1 billion a year, says Karen Pollitz, a research professor at Georgetown University.


• Discounts and free care in Medicare: The approximately 4 million Medicare beneficiaries who hit the so-called “doughnut hole” in the program’s drug plan will get a $250 rebate this year. Next year, their cost of drugs in the coverage gap will go down by 50 percent. Preventive care, such as some types of cancer screening, will be free of co-payments or deductibles starting this year.


• Coverage of kids: Parents will be allowed to keep their children on their health insurance plan until age 26, unless the child is eligible for coverage through a job. Insurance plans cannot exclude pre-existing medical conditions from coverage for children under age 19, although insurers could still reject those children outright for coverage in the individual market until 2014.


• Tax credits for businesses: Businesses with fewer than 25 employees and average wages of less than $50,000 could qualify for a tax credit of up to 35 percent of the cost of their premiums.


• Changes to insurance: All existing insurance plans will be barred from imposing lifetime caps on coverage. Restrictions will also be placed on annual limits on coverage. Insurers can no longer cancel insurance retroactively for things other than outright fraud.


• Government oversight: Insurers must report how much they spend on medical care versus administrative costs, a step that later will be followed by tighter government review of premium increases.

Source: Kaiser Health News. To read in its entirety, click here.
Photo Credit: Kaiser Health News

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Until Next Week,

Michelle D.

Tip Tuesday: Join the Lecture!

Calling all Marion County residents!! On Wednesday, April 14, 2010 the Florida Institute for Human & Machine Cognition will be hosting one of its FREE Lecture Series, THE TALK - American Street Food: A Thinking Eater's Survey by John T. Edge. For more information on the lecture, please click on the .pdf above to enlarge the invitation. Please note, Seating is limited, so if you are planning on attending, send an e-mail to ocalaevents@ihmc.us.

Want to see more? Check out past IHMC lectures at http://www.youtube.com/theIHMC.

Hope to see you there!

Michelle D.

Tip of the Week: Change the Direction of Someone's Life!

My sincere apologies for not posting the Benefit Advisors Tip Tuesday yesterday. I am currently participating in the Chamber's Leadership Ocala program as a member of Class XXIII, the "best class ever," and was out of the office all day for one of our class sessions.

Yesterday's session focused on the Justice system in Marion County. Our class started the day off at the Marion County Courthouse, where we sat in on some trials, including first appearances and a DUI criminal case. We then toured the county jail, the Marion County Sheriff's Office and finally the Ocala Police Department.

What an interesting day it proved to be! I walked away with an overwhelming sense of pride in my local law enforcement departments and an appreciation for the selfless work of our justice system employees.

It also got me thinking just how lucky I am. Lucky to have a job, lucky to have had the opportunity to receive a college degree, and most importantly, lucky to have the love and support of my wonderful family & friends. It is due to the lack of many of these factors that people make their way through the justice system and ultimately land themselves in jail - or even worse - prison. Yesterday's experience was definitely an eye-opening one. It made me realize that I shouldn't take the blessings in my life for granted. However, it also made me realize the importance of supporting our local agencies that help those less fortunate in our communities.

I am very pleased to work for an organization that values and supports various non-profits in our area. It is because of these agencies that we can help give back to those that don't have a strong family unit or help the uneducated complete their schooling and find solid paying jobs. It is this support that will help eliminate the number of individuals that turn to crime.

So my tip for you today is, "give back!" No matter how big or small, just take some time to give back to your community. It will help in more ways than one. If you can help change the direction of one person's life, then that is the best gift of all.

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Now, I would just like to take a minute to brag about the generous contributions of my organization, Benefit Advisors.

We currently volunteer and donate to the following:

1. Marion County Chamber of Commerce

2. Economic Development Council

3. United Way of Marion County

4. United Way of Marion County Day of Caring

5. Heart of Florida Health Center

6. Heart of Florida's Lose To Win Challenge

7. Marion County Literacy Council

8. Kiwanis Club of Ocala

9. Boy Scouts of America

10. Pace Center for Girls

11. Wounded Warriors Ride 2 Recovery

12. Devereux Kids

13. Salvation Army

14. UnitedHealthcare Children's Foundation, Inc.

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Until Next Week,

Michelle D.

Depression: Know The Facts from UHC

UnitedHealthcare's March Care24 Health Bulltein focused on depression. Here's some information you might want to know about and some important resources available exclusively to UHC members...

Depression is no laughing matter.

Depression affects 20 million people in the U.S. It can feel differently for different people. Take note of any changes, such as:

• Mood swings
• Loss of interest in once enjoyable activities
• Changes in appetite or sleeping patterns
• Lack of energy or motivation
• Trouble remembering or making decisions
• Feeling sad, anxious or empty
• Frequent crying
• Thoughts of death or suicide

If you see signs of depression in yourself or a loved one, it’s important to get help. For thoughts of suicide, emergency evaluation may be needed. Call Care24 at 1-888-887-4114 for resources available to you 24/7. Services are part of your benefit plan and available at no additional cost to you. TDD/TTY callers, please call 711 and ask for the number above.

For useful articles, online tools and more – visit http://www.myuhc.com/.

Click here for a fact sheet on depression.

Tip Tuesday: BCBS Members Get Fantastic Discounts Through Blue365!

One of the many benefits of becoming a Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida member is the Blue365 discount program, available exclusively to BCBS customers.

Living well means having healthy options every day. Blue365 helps you find the health and wellness information, support and services you need 365 days a year - while at the same time enjoying special member savings.

As a member of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida, you automatically have access to the content, tools and discounted offers available through Blue365.

The following businesses offer discounts through the Blue365:

1. Beltone
2. Curves
3. Davis Vision
4. E-Diets
5. Everlast
6. Fairmont Hotels and Resorts
7. Gold's Gym
8. Healthyroads
9. Jenny Craig
10. LasikPlus Vision Correction
11. Men's and Women's Health
12. Nutrisystem
13. Polar
14. QualSight LASIK
15. Reebok
16. Seniorlink Care
17. Sportline
18. TruHearing
19. Westin Hotels (Starwood)

Whether its 10% off a hotel stay or a reduction in membership dues, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida has a winning combination for its members!

From now on before leaving the house make sure you have not only your driver license and credit card, but also your Blue Cross Blue Shield of Florida insurance card.

For more information on Blue365, visit http://www.blue-365.com/.

Until next week,

Michelle D.