Health Advocate Welcomes Clients with Open Houses Across the Country

On Wednesday, October 16, 2013, Health Advocate is holding several open houses across the country for existing and prospective clients.

Clients are invited to visit one of Health Advocate’s six different offices, with locations ranging from the east coast to the west coast. We will show you how our leading-edge solutions, data analytics and personalized approach to service help promote improved health and wellness outcomes, increase employee engagementand generate medical cost-savings.

 

In each location, there will be two Open House sessions:

Morning: 7:30 am to 9:30 am, featuring a continental breakfast

Afternoon: 4:00 pm to 6:00 pm, featuring a dinner buffet

 

Open House Locations

·         Pennsylvania:

Health Advocate Corporate Headquarters

3043 Walton Road | Plymouth Meeting, PA 19462

Visit the all-new EmpoweredHealth Innovation Center. EmpoweredHealth is the first completely integrated program that combines an array of cost-saving benefits supported by superior data analytics. It is delivered in a specially designed collaborative workspace by a team of experts — a highly personalized approach in one seamless offering.

 

Health Advocate’s Regional EAP+Work/Life Center

835  Springdale Drive, Suite 100 | Exton, PA 19341

 

·         Florida:

Health Advocate, Jacksonville Innovation Center

8649 Baypine Road, Suite 101 | Jacksonville, FL 32256

Our office is located off of I-95 and Baymeadows Road.

Join us to experience our Jacksonville Innovation Center, featuring comprehensive EAP+Work/Life solutions.

 

·         California:

Health Advocate, San Francisco Innovation Center

180 Redwood Street, Suite 300 | San Francisco, CA 94102

Our office is located in the heart of San Francisco, close to the Civic Center.

Complimentary parking details will be provided with your registration confirmation.

Join us to experience our San Francisco Innovation Center, showcasing the latest approaches to wellness engagement.

 

Health Advocate, e2H Division

3027 Townsgate Road, Suite 110 | Westlake Village, CA 91361

Our office is located 40 miles northwest of Los Angeles International Airport.

Join us for a tour of our Los Angeles office, featuring our engage2health (e2H) health informatics center.

 

Health Advocate, National Biometrics Center

1004 Industrial Way, Suite A | Lodi, CA 95240

Join us for a tour of our National Biometrics Center, featuring workplace screening solutions.

 

 

How to Register

Online: HealthAdvocate.com/visit

By phone: Call 866.385.8033, prompt #2

We hope to see you there!

Workout of the Week: Superman Sit-Ups

Each Friday, we’ll have a new Workout of the Week (WOW) for you.  We hope you’ll try it out over the weekend and then build it into your daily routine Monday through Friday of the coming week.  These workout ideas will be simple, appropriate for people of various ages and abilities, and allow you to fit a little more physical activity into your week!

Superman Sit-Ups

These aren’t your traditional sit-ups--these sit-ups are for superheroes!

·         Begin by assuming the Superman position--lie on your stomach with your arms stretched out in front of you, a few inches off the ground (visualize Superman flying!), while also lifting your chest and legs a few inches off the ground.

·         Next, roll over onto your back, making sure your arms and legs don’t touch the ground. Bend your knees slightly and bring your arms up over your head.

·         After that, pull your upper body forward to your knees, completing a sit-up.

·         Finally, lower your upper body back towards the ground.  But before your upper back touches the ground, roll back over onto your stomach, keeping your chest, arms, and legs off the ground.

Try doing as many of these as you can.  Pay special attention to your form—make sure you’re doing the exercise just as described above.

For an extra challenge, tack on 5 more Superman Sit-Ups each day this week.

Want more fitness ideas?  If you’re a Health Advocate member with access to the Wellness Coaching program, reach out to your Wellness Coach for more healthy ideas to get—and stay—fit. And remember, talk to your doctor before beginning any new fitness regimen.

The Benefits of Being Unplugged

In today’s world, “screen time” isn’t just associated with how much time you spend watching TV. Smartphones, televisions, computers and tablets, we are perpetually connected to the goings-on of the rest of the world, 24/7. We spend an enormous amount of time plugged in—but is this constant stimulus really healthy for us?

Staying aware of your screen time is important when you’re trying to maintain a healthy lifestyle and stay in your healthy weight range. In a study done by the United States Department of Agriculture Nutrition Evidence Library on the relationship between screen time and body weight of adults, they found that more screen time is directly linked to an increase in obesity and other health-related concerns:

Obesity. The more time we spend sitting and staring at a screen, the less time we are being active and moving our bodies, which burns calories.

Irregular sleep. Light and sound from your TV or laptop has been proven to cause an irregularity in the sleep cycle. Exposure to light at night (even dimly lit) may suppress your body’s production of melatonin, the chemical that causes deep sleep. Insufficient sleep can increase the risk for obesity and other health and safety issues.

Behavioral problems. Although this is a new subject doctors are studying, constant use of electronics is believed to be linked to attention and behavioral problems. Constantly scrolling, reading, liking and sharing are believed to be linked to people not being able to focus on slower, less exciting tasks.

Impaired academic performance. Although it depends on the individual, studiesshow that playing music, TV, or other stimulates while studying, can distract the brain from concentrating on the work in front of them, leading to lower test scores.

Eyesight problems. Many people complain of dry or itchy eyes, headaches, and blurred vision after looking at a screen for too long. So far, it’s unclear whether staring at a lit-up screen for prolonged periods of time has long-term effects on eyesight.  Regardless, the CDC recommends giving your eyes a break every 2 hours after looking at a screen, especially when reading small fonts or viewing bright colors.

So what can you do instead?

This may seem like a silly question, but these days many people don’t know what to do without their smartphone in their hands. Next time you notice you’ve been plugged in for too long, close the screen and try a healthier activity:

Read a book. You may have access to thousands of books on your electronic reader, but reading the pages of a hardbound or paperback book will make you less tempted to open up another screen, or be distracted by a new email, text, or notification.

Cook a new meal. Find an interesting recipe and cook a meal you haven’t tried before. Going out to the market, preparing the meal, and enjoying the meal with a friend or your family are all great alternatives to being glued to a screen.

Exercise. Take a walk around the neighborhood, practice yoga in your living room, or dust off that gym membership card and go break a sweat.

Just take a break. Write a handwritten letter to a family member, make plans with an old friend, do some chores around the house…  There are countless options.  Try dedicating an hour a day to being completely unplugged and see if you notice a difference in your mood.

If you are a Health Advocate member and feel like you are suffering from health problems stemming from too much screen time, call us to speak to your Personal Health Advocate. Your Personal Health Advocate can help connect you to the right doctors to address your needs.

Workout of the Week: Forward Lunges

Each Friday, we’ll have a new Workout of the Week (WOW) for you.  We hope you’ll try it out over the weekend and then build it into your daily routine Monday through Friday of the coming week.  These workout ideas will be simple, appropriate for people of various ages and abilities, and allow you to fit a little more physical activity into your week!

Forward Lunges

·         Starting position: Stand with your feet together, and push your chest out. Make sure your arms are resting at your sides.

·         Next, tighten your abdominal muscles. Then, with one foot, take a long step forward, maintaining your balance as best you can.

·         After that, holding your balance and keeping your back straight and eyes looking straight ahead, slowly lower your body down toward the ground until your front thigh is parallel with the floor. Hold this position for 1 to 2 seconds. Make sure your knee does not extend further than your toes; avoid leaning over your foot.

·         Finally, firmly push off your front leg, activating your thighs and glute muscles to return to the starting position.

·         For your next set, use your other leg.

Try doing 20-30 lunges a day this week. You can do lunge walks around your living room or kitchen to make them go faster.  Just remember to keep proper form: back straight, chest up, eyes forward.

Want more fitness ideas?  If you’re a Health Advocate member with access to the Wellness Coaching program, reach out to your Wellness Coach for more healthy ideas to get—and stay—fit. And remember, talk to your doctor before beginning any new fitness regimen.

Ask a Health Advocate: I'm planning a party—do you have any helpful food safety tips?

The beginning of fall brings many opportunities to plan fun get-togethers, and every great gathering needs appealing refreshments. Whether you’re planning a party for Halloween or to celebrate a birthday, or providing food for a neighborhood block party or your child’s class at school, one thing is for certain: food must be prepared safely so that those who eat it don’t become ill.  Keep these tips in mind as you prepare your food.

Basic tips

The following safe food handling procedures are essential for all food preparation, whether it’s for a party or just an everyday meal:

• Clean: Anyone preparing food should use soap and water to wash their hands, clean kitchen surfaces like countertops, and clean any utensils to be used.
• Separate: Use different cutting boards to ensure that raw meats stay separated from other foods you’re preparing.
• Cook: Use a food thermometer to make sure you’re cooking foods to the proper temperature.
• Chill: Quickly chill raw and prepared foods.

 

Tips for preparing food for a party or buffet

The USDA recommends the following tips when making food for gatherings:

·         Cook food thoroughly. If you’re cooking food ahead of time for your party, make sure it’s cooked to its minimal internal temperature.  Not sure what the right temperature is for what you’re cooking? Visit the USDA’s website for more information.

·         Use shallow containers.Divide cooked foods into shallow containers to store in the refrigerator or freezer until serving—it encourages rapid, even cooling.

·         Replace empty platters instead of just adding fresh food to a dish that already had food in it. Many people's hands may have been taking food from the dish, plus the dish has been sitting out at room temperature.

·         Mind the two-hour rule.Food should not sit at room temperature for more than two hours. Discard anything left at the refreshment table after two hours.

·         Maintain proper food temperatures. Hot foods should be kept at 140 °F or warmer. You can keep hot foods hot by using chafing dishes, slow cookers, or warming trays. Cold foods should be held at 40 °F or colder. Keep foods cold by nesting dishes in bowls of ice, or use small serving trays and replace them often.

 

Tips for preparing meat or poultry

• Thaw your meat/poultry before cooking it so that it cooks more evenly.  You can thaw it slowly but safely in your refrigerator.  If you need to thaw it more quickly, you can use your microwave to defrost it, but only if it will be cooked immediately afterward.
• Marinate meat or poultry in your refrigerator, not on your counter. 
• Transport food safely. If you’re going to be transporting food to another event or location, use an insulated cooler with ice packs; the cooler needs to keep your food at a temperature of under 40 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Use a clean dish. When taking cooked food out of the oven, put it on a clean platter.  Don’t re-use the same platter that previously held raw meat or poultry.
• Refrigerate any leftovers quickly, and throw out any food that’s been left out for over 2 hours.

 Other resources for help

·         http://www.foodsafety.gov/keep/events/index.html

·         http://www.fsis.usda.gov

 Have a question for a Health Advocate? Email nhess@healthadvocate.com, and your question may be answered in an upcoming “Ask a Health Advocate” column!

Maximize your Senior’s Independence

If you know an elderly loved one that’s living on their own, without any assistance, it’s important to help make sure they are leading a healthy, independent lifestyle. Maintaining or restoring health in elder years requires more work and time than in younger years. Here are some tips on how to help keep your aging, independent loved one healthy.

A healthy diet.Make sure they are eating well. This is especially important if the person has a medical issue that requires dietary restrictions. Buying groceries can be expensive, so help your loved one cut out coupons and look for weekly deals at the grocery store. For a holiday gift, consider giving them a membership to a wholesale club where they can purchase items in bulk, which may be more budget-friendly.

Get moving! If your loved one is already reasonably healthy, they can begin a regular fitness program. Staying active can help keep them happy, healthy and less stressed.  According to the Mayo Clinic, exercise boosts mood and energy, and can lower blood pressure. Try low-impact exercises with your loved one, like walking or stretching, light aerobics and yoga. Always consult with your loved one’s primary care doctor to make sure they can begin an exercise routine.

Keep living quarters safe. Ensure your loved one’s house or apartment is safe. Make sure they have proper lighting and invest in nonskid rugs to help prevent falls and accidents.

Monitor daily. If your loved one takes prescription medication for a medical condition, be sure to know the dosage and frequency, and monitor them to ensure that they are taking it as prescribed. Keep an eye out for any over-the-counter drugs and herbal supplements that may interact with prescription medication. If there are any questions regarding prescribed and over-the-counter medication and supplements, offer to accompany your loved one to see their primary care physician or pharmacist.

Be good company.  Make frequent visits to your loved one. While it’s important to check up on them to make sure they are living well on their own, it’s also a good idea to provide companionship. Make your visits special. Take a walk in the park, go to lunch and a movie, play cards and board games or just reminisce about shared happy memories.  Also, check out community activities at local senior or adult daycare centers. It’s important for your loved one to stay involved with family and friends to maintain a healthy, active, social life.

If you are a Health Advocate member, reach out to your Personal Health Advocate for more information and tips on helping your elderly loved ones maintain their independence, health and quality of life.

Preparing for Open Enrollment

Annual open enrollment is finally here!  It’s time to review your current benefits, and maybe even choose new benefits.  But make sure you’re making an educated decision--not understanding your benefits and/or taking the time to choose the appropriate benefits can be a problem. In fact, a recent study by Aflac showed that 56 percent of American workers estimate they waste up to $750 each year because of costly mistakes they have made with their health insurance benefits.

It’s important to fully understand your benefits, especially if you are making changes in your life, or are expecting big changes in the coming year –like getting married, or thinking about starting a family. These are questions you need to ask yourself when selecting benefits this open enrollment period. 

Health Advocate, Inc. offers the following tips to help you make the best choices to meet your needs.

·         Don’t over-insure or under-insure. Before choosing a plan, it’s important to assess your current health and financial circumstances.  For instance, patients with a chronic condition should consider a plan that covers numerous visits to doctors and specialists. For those planning on starting a family, it’s important to look for insurance that will cover prenatal care. If you are young and relatively healthy, you could consider a high-deductible health plan in order to save money on monthly premiums. 

 

·         Check to see if your doctors are in-network. Don’t automatically assume your doctor is covered in your plan’s network.  If you go out-of-network, you will be paying more out-of-pocket costs to see your preferred doctor.  Contact your insurance company to find an in-network doctor or call your Personal Health Advocate, who can help you locate a physician.

 

·         Your current health plan may not be right for you. Your coverage may have changed. Maybe your copay is higher or maybe your prescriptions are not covered anymore. Take the time to look into other policies that may better fit your health needs.  

 

·         Take into account any life changes.  Are you planning to have a baby and need maternity coverage, or are you adding an adult child (up to 26 years old) to your plan? Don’t assume that your current plan will automatically provide coverage. Review your benefits carefully.

 

·         Know the differences between a Health Savings Account (HSA) and a Flexible Spending Account (FSA). Depending on your company’s benefit offerings, both HSAs and FSAs may be available, and it’s important to understand the differences between the two so that you can choose the one that best meets your needs. For example, both options allow you to put money aside into a fund for medical expenses. But an HSA can be held on until retirement if you choose, while the funds in an FSA will be lost before the end of the plan coverage period if it is not used. 

 

·         If one is available, budget your Health Savings Account (HSA) properly. An HSA can be spent on qualified health expenses, such as most major medical, dental or vision. The money placed in an HSA is pre-tax and accrues interest year after year, so you never have to deal with “use it or lose it.”

 

If you are a Health Advocate member and you have questions about your benefits, call us today!  A Personal Health Advocate can address your questions or concerns and help you better understand the ins-and-outs of your health plan.