Posts Tagged ‘preventative care’
Monday, January 11th, 2010
Diabetic clients will be finding more comprehensive dental and vision benefits with Anthem Blue Cross starting 1/1/2010. These integrated benefits will help such individuals obtain the care they need to manage their conditions, and prevent diabetes related complications.
Diabetic Retinopathy can be a common occurrence, but is almost 90% preventable with proper vision care. Therefore, members who have the Blue View Vision plan and the 360 degree health program will be enrolled in the ConditionCare for Diabetes program. This program will help clients take a proactive role in managing their condition should a diabetic-related vision diagnosis occur.
Dental benefits will also be extended for diabetic clients, adding one additional dental cleaning or periodontal maintenance procedure every year. High blood glucose levels can help germs to build up on teeth and gums, and increase the probability of gum disease and ultimately tooth loss. Another concern is the fact that dental infections can worsen diabetes by causing hyperglycemia.
Please contact us with any questions regarding these vision and dental enhancements. We want to help you to get the care you need to stay as healthy as possible in 2010.
Tags: added benefits, group health, preventative care, wellness
Posted in Employees, Employers, Family, Group | No Comments »
Thursday, December 10th, 2009
Disturbing news shows that children without insurance are 60% more likely to die from a serious illness, such as pneumonia or asthma. This is most likely due to the fact that care is not sought out until it is much farther advanced. This is tough to swallow, but keep in mind there are always options to ensure that your children are not without the coverage they need. Read more...
Tags: children's health, health care costs, health insurance, preventative care
Posted in Family, General, Resources | No Comments »
Monday, October 12th, 2009
Many carriers have released information that they will be covering the H1N1 virus (swine flu) vaccine and all administrative costs associated with obtaining the vaccine. Although focus will start with clients at most risk, all members will be ultimately covered. The two anti-viral medications, Tamiflu and Relenza, both offered in a generic formula as well, will be covered under the Tier 1 benefit, which ensures the lowest copayment for members to get their medications.
Companies that have agreed to this thus far are Blue Shield of California, Aetna, and BCBS IL, with more carriers joining in every day. Please contact us or check your insurance companies website to see how they will help you to protect yourself and your family members.
Note:
It is important to understand that these benefits are subject to the vaccine’s availability. The CDC is working with local health departments to ensure the following targeted priority populations receive the vaccine first:
1. Pregnant women
2. People who live with or care for children younger than 6 months of age
3. Healthcare and emergency medical services personnel
4. Persons between the ages of 6 months through 24 years
5. People ages 25 through 64 years who have chronic health disorders or compromised immune systems.
Tags: Coinsurance, deductibles, preventative care, wellness
Posted in General, Resources, Tools | No Comments »
Wednesday, September 23rd, 2009
California children will not be losing their Healthy Families coverage thanks to the implementation of Assembly Bill 1422. Over 600,000 children were going to be disenrolled starting October 1st, due to a lack of funding. Currently, there are 71,000 children on the waiting list since enrollment was frozen in Mid-July. Parents and guardians can breathe a sigh of relief, however, as this affordable medical, dental, and vision coverage will remain in place. Read more...
Tags: children's health, health insurance, preventative care
Posted in Family, Individual, Laws, Resources, State | No Comments »
Tuesday, September 8th, 2009
The State of California has been in financial crisis as of late and now is going to hit home for many families whose children are enrolled on the Healthy Families program. This is a low cost state run plan that offers affordable medical, dental, and vision coverage for California children. Unfortunately, due to a lack of financial support from the state, they are planning on disenrolling children from the program starting October 1, 2009.
Budget cuts that totaled over $128 million dollars caused a major financial strain, and further enrollments were halted this July. This resulted in a waiting list of over 55,000 children, and a prediction of the removal of nearly 670,000 children having to be removed from coverage.
It is important to keep updated on these proposals, to ensure that California’s children maintain comprehensive medical, dental, and vision care. With too many children already forgoing vital preventative care, we have to find a way to keep our future healthy. Please visit the California Major Risk Medical Board for updated information and ways to become involved.
Tags: health insurance, preventative care
Posted in Family, General, Individual, Resources, State | No Comments »
Tuesday, August 18th, 2009
How would you feel if your boss told you to get a checkup? You would be surprised at how many employers are now realizing the importance of regular exams for their employees. First, it helps find and treat illnesses earlier, resulting in better overall health for the employee. Second, it helps keep insurance premiums down. As employees get older and continue to practice unhealthy lifestyles, medical claims and expenses rise – along with the monthly rates.
If more employers would push their employees to get regular checkups, conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer can be detected earlier – or before they become an issue at all. Though this may result in more out of pocket costs for the employee (for testing and prescriptions, for example), the costs for major surgeries and heart attacks is far beyond these costs.
Implementing wellness programs, designed to help employees lose weight or quit smoking are another motivational tool to keep employees healthy, and employers ensured productive and happy employees.
Tags: added benefits, preventative care, wellness
Posted in Individual | No Comments »
Friday, August 14th, 2009
Small Businesses are definitely hit the hardest when it comes to premium rates. However, recent studies have shown that incorporating ancillary benefits, such as life, disability, and dental benefits, ensures employees are not only healthy and happy – but loyal as well. A MetLife study showed that 73% of employees who felt adequately covered were happy with their job. On the other hand, those employees who felt that their coverage left them too exposed, were not. Only 22% of such employees stated that they were satisfied with their job.
Productivity is also greatly affected by health benefits. If an employee knows that the coverage is there when they need it, they will push further for their employer. With economic times at their tightest, knowing that they will not incur large medical or dental bills, or leave their family without protection if something should happen to them, means employees can focus on the task at hand. In these cases, everyone benefits!
Though the economy is in tough shape right now, Employers may find that a bit more out of pocket costs for their employees will result in a return of happy, healthy, and productive workers in the end.
Tags: added benefits, health plan, preventative care, wellness
Posted in Employees, Employers, Group | No Comments »
Wednesday, July 8th, 2009
Worrisome polls show that less than 50% of adolescents are receiving recommended preventative care. It is during these years that children can discuss health concerns and learn about healthy living habits that they carry with them for their entire lives. However, at a time where preventative care and health education are vital, most are forgoing such care for reasons such as high co pays, deductibles, or lack of coverage altogether.
If children are getting in to see their providers for their preventative visits, concern lies in the fact that the visits are not as comprehensive as they should be. Physicians receive little compensation for these visits from insurance companies, resulting in little incentive to schedule them. One on one time is not a priority, though it should be as it creates a sense of connection between the doctor and patient from an early age.
We know from experience that chronic conditions can be a financial drain, so establishing good preventative care from an early age will only result in improved health for the client and a strained healthcare system. Guaranteeing these visits for our children is invaluable, and should be at the top of the list for reform. Providing co pay free preventative care visits, and reimbursing pediatricians who provide these services, will result in healthy living habits for our future leaders.
Tags: Chronic Condition, preventative care, wellness
Posted in Family, Individual | No Comments »
Thursday, June 18th, 2009
With the recent swine flu scare thankfully come to an end, it does bring to light the fact that we should always be concerned during flu season. It is vital to do everything possible to remain healthy, avoid contamination, and keep the illness from spreading to others. One of the simplest answers is to stay home from work when one is sick, but this unfortunately is not a reality when it comes to American workers.
The Center for Disease Control (CDC) clearly states instructions to stay home when ill with the flu. This will not only prevent the spreading of the flu, but will also lessen the recovery time for the individual. However, more than half of the workers in America state that they do not get paid for sick days. This means that they either have to follow medical advice by losing their pay, or by heading to work and infecting others. Taking time off is not an option for many.
What is the cure? Other than a nice bowl of chicken soup, and staying home, lawmakers are considering guaranteed paid sick days for all workers. In California, AB1000 aims to protect those workers with pay for days while ill. This would not only allow workers to stay home and recover, it will also keep the possibility of further infection from spreading to others. Studies show that over a third of flu cases are transmitted in schools and workplaces. By allowing a more lenient policy for sick days, we ensure better health for workers and their families, a decreased risk for further outbreaks of the illness, and the reduction of health care costs. It is a win-win for all.
Tags: preventative care, wellness
Posted in General | No Comments »
