Tip Tuesday: A Look At the Impact on Small Groups from BlueCross BlueShield of Florida

Happy Tuesday Bloggers!

I am very pleased to be back in the office and hard at work after a wonderful wedding/honeymoon. I hope you enjoyed the last two posts from our guest blogger, Mr. Caleb Bourque.

This week's tip tuesday is courtesy of BlueCross BlueShield of Florida and is a closer look at the benefits of Health Care Reform, provisions, mandates and grandfather status.

Please click here to view the document.

I hope everyone had a safe and Happy Halloween!

Until Next Week,
Michelle Jarvis

Tip Tuesday: Keep Halloween Safety in Mind!

It's that time of year again...ghosts, goblins, costumes & candy! While Halloween is an exciting holiday for children and adults of all ages, there are several precautions to be mindful of to ensure you're in for nothing but a treat(s)!

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) stresses the importance of taking the proper steps to avoid injuries this Halloween.


The following are the AMERICAN ACADEMY OF ORTHOPAEDIC SURGEONS SAFETY TIPS:

• Never let children carve pumpkins. Adults carving pumpkins should remember to use specifically designed carving knives, rather than kitchen knives, as they are less likely to get stuck in the thick pumpkin skin. Carve the pumpkin in small, controlled strokes, away from oneself on a strong, sturdy surface.
• Carving knives should be kept in a clean, dry, well-lit area. Any moisture on the tools, hands, or table can cause the knife to slip, leading to injuries.
• Should a pumpkin carver cut a finger or hand, make sure the hand is elevated higher than the heart and apply direct pressure to the wound with a clean cloth to stop the bleeding. If continuous pressure does not slow or stop the bleeding after 15 minutes, an emergency room visit may be necessary. Additionally, it may be wise to follow up with a hand surgeon to make sure everything is okay and nothing needs repair.
• Be considerate of fire hazards when lighting jack-o-lantern candles or use non-flammable light sources, like glow sticks or artificial pumpkin lights. Alternatively, try painting pumpkins for a fun, creative option and remove the risks of carving.
• Halloween costumes should be light and bright, so children are clearly visible to motorists and other pedestrians. Trim costumes and bags with reflective tape that glows in the dark.
• Costumes should be flame-resistant and fit properly. Be sure the child's vision is unobstructed from masks, face paint or hats. Costumes that are too long may cause kids to trip and fall, trim or hem their costumes as necessary.
• Children should wear sturdy, comfortable, slip-resistant shoes to avoid falls.
• It is important that children walk on sidewalks and never cut across yards or driveways. They should also obey all traffic signals and remain in designated crosswalks when crossing the street.
• Trick-or-treaters should only approach houses that are well lit. Both children and parents should carry flashlights to see and be seen.
• Be aware of neighborhood dogs when trick-or-treating and remember that these pets can impose a threat when you approach their home.
• It's also a good idea to carry a cell phone while trick-or-treating in case of an emergency.

Happy Halloween!

Caleb Bourque

Tip Tuesday: Regular Check-ups Are Important

Scheduling regular check-ups is the best way to take control of your health -- and the best part is: The Affordable Care Act is now requiring some important preventative services be covered under your current health plan at no additional cost to you.


According to the CDC, "Regular health exams and tests can help find problems before they start. They also can help find problems early, when your chances for treatment and cure are better. By getting the right health services, screenings, and treatments, you are taking steps that help your chances for living a longer, healthier, life. Your age, health and family history, lifestyle choices (i.e. what you eat, how active you are, whether you smoke), and other important factors impact what and how often you need services and screenings."

Under the new legislation, depending on your age, you may have free access to such preventive serices as:

• Blood pressure, diabetes, and cholesterol test;
• Many cancer screenings, inclduing mammograms and colonoscopies;
• Counseling from your health care provider on such topics as quitting smoking, losing weight, eating healthfully, treating depression, and reducing alcohol use;
• Routine vaccinations against diseases such as measles, polio, or meningitis;
• Counseling, screening, and vaccines to ensure healthy pregnancies;
• Regular well-baby and well-child visists, from birth to age 21;

For more information on preventative services and the Affordable Care Act, please visit HealthCare.gov

Caleb Bourque

Tip Tuesday: Proper Sleep Can Help Fight Cancer - Or Even Prevent It!

In lieu of breast cancer awareness month, I thought I would post one of the ways to help prevent - or even fight - cancer, and it's a surprisingly simple task: SLEEP. According to an article on Reader's Digest.com Fight Cancer with Sleep by Ellen Michaud with Julie Bain, "While you sleep, your immune system produces some of your body's most effective cancer-fighting weapons."

So, while browsing for some sleep remedies in preparation for today's blog, I came across an article from CNN Health outlining several doctor-recommended sleep aids. These simple aids may help to ensure you are getting the appropriate amount of sleep each night, rather than the restless, "counting sheep" kinda nights many of us are all too familiar with.

1. Aromatherapy
2. Valerian tea
3. GABA-enhanced drink
4. Melatonin supplement
5. Over-the-counter sleeping pill
6. Prescription medication

To read the full article on when to try each remedy, how to use them and what you should know about each, click here.

Remember to Think Pink this month!

Michelle

*On a side note, I am excited to announce the next two Tip Tuesdays will be written by a guest blogger, Mr. Caleb Bourque. Caleb is a marketing assistant and customer service representative for Benefit Advisors in its Jacksonville office. To learn more about Caleb, click here to view his employee bio.

I will be out of the office beginning Monday, October 18 and will not be returning until Tuesday, November 2 because I'M GETTING MARRIED! :) I will be back to regular blogs the week I return. Until then bloggers!

Tip Tuesday: Breast Cancer Awareness Month Celebrates 26 Years!

The pink ribbon is an American staple - one symbolizing the courage and strength of all those affected by breast cancer. As the National Breast Cancer Awareness Month Association (NBCAM) celebrates 26 years of awareness, education and empowerment, let's all remember to join in the fight for a cure.

At Benefit Advisors, we are proud to support Breast Cancer Awareness Month and we hope you will too!

This month, think pink!

For more information on Breast Cancer Awareness Month, please visit the Susan G. Komen for the Cure Web site or the official NBCAM Web site.

Until Next Week,
Michelle D.

Tip Tuesday: Setting the Record Straight on the W-2 Panic

I recently read an online article from EmployeeBenefit News that did a great job of discussing the recent rumors on health care reform and the implications it will have on tax deductions for both employers and employees.

Despite the panic, you may be surprised to learn that the changes aren't what they seem.

As this week's Tip Tuesday, I'd like to share this article with you. Click here to read it now.

Enjoy!

Until Next Week,
Michelle D.

Tip Tuesday: FDA Is Considering New Restrictions on Cough Medicine

Happy Tuesday bloggers!

Today's post is a little bit different, but extremely important all the same. If any of you have been following the news the last few days, I'm sure you've heard the buzz about a possible FDA ban on cough medicine. That's right, in the near future, you may be required to furbish a prescription to purchase Robitussin or other current over-the-counter cough syrups.

Why, you ask, are the days of heading to the neighborhood drug store to pick up some cough syrup for an at-home remedy possibly over??

Well, it's all stemming from a new epidemic among teens called robotripping or DXM. A recent study found that 8 percent of all teens have admitted to participating in this behavior, which is characterized by drinking a bottle of Robitussin cough syrup (containg DXM), with the intention of purposely hallucinating.

And the consequences are even worse.

Drinking one or more bottles of cough syrup and/or mixing it with alcohol can cause the following:

1. Irregular Heart Beat
2. Seizures
3. Brain Damage
4. Loss of ConsciousnessDeath

So, if you are the parent of a teen or young adult, make sure to talk to them about the dangers of engaging in this type of behavior. Or, better yet, only keep these medicines on hand when an ailment strikes.

For more information:
Watch Today's video segment here or visit Five Moms, a campaign to stop cough medicine abuse, by clicking here.

Until Next Week,
Michelle D.

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photo credit: drugfreehomes.com