How Can I Cut the Cost of My Prescription Drugs?

Has the cost of your prescription drugs jumped? A recent article in USA Today, notes that the price of prescription drugs has risen 3.6%, which is twice the 1.7% inflation rate, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis.

If you are on prescription drugs and looking to cut your expenses, Health Advocate, the nation’s leading advocacy and assistance company, offers advice on getting drugs at a discount. Here are some ideas that can help you reduce your prescription drug expenses.

Get it for free. Doctors often have free samples of medications on hand.  Ask your doctor if they have samples available that you could use.  This could be an especially helpful tactic if you are trying out a new-to-you medication—trying a free sample may help you learn whether you like the medication enough to purchase it on your own after you’re finished the sample.

Go generic. Generic equivalents are available for many brand-name prescription drugs, and they are often just as effective as their brand-name counterparts.  Check with your doctor to get their recommendation on whether a generic equivalent would be right for you. Generic drugs usually range in cost from 20 to 80 percent less than brand-name versions.

Mail order might be cheaper. Consider mail order prescriptions. Ask your doctor to write a three-month prescription for your maintenance medications, such as insulin or cholesterol-lowering drugs. Many insurance plans allow you to purchase a three-month supply at a discount or with a lower co-pay when ordered through the mail.

Scour the internet. For brand-name drugs, check the drug manufacturers’ websites for discounts, offers and coupons.

Check the retail chains. Walmart, Target, Kroger, and members-only retailers such as Costco, Sam’s Club and BJ’s Wholesale Club offer generic prescriptions for as low as $4.

Substitute an OTC med. Ask your doctor whether you could take an over-the-counter (OTC) medication for your condition instead.

Ask your doctor about non-drug strategies.  Find out if your doctor thinks you could try losing weight, eating healthy and/or quitting smoking in lieu of taking medication.

Whether you’re taking a maintenance medication for a chronic condition, or you need to take a prescription drug short-term, you may be able to save money by following these tips. If you are a Health Advocate member and would like to learn more about reducing your prescription drug costs, call your Personal Health Advocate for more helpful advice.

Not Gone Yet: The Flu’s Still Here

Increase Your Chances of Staying Well

Have you noticed coworkers calling out sick or your cubicle-mates sneezing and coughing? These are all signs that flu season is here. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) are calling this the worst flu season in a decade.  While many reports have cited that cases of influenza have dropped over the last few weeks, flu season is still not over, and you are still at risk.

The flu is highly contagious and requires rest for full recovery. If you have the flu, stay home. Going to work or being out and about while sick will only spread the disease.

Health Advocate offers some tips on preventing the flu. While nothing is fool-proof, this information may help keep you safer this flu season as well as help protect you from other respiratory and gastrointestinal bacteria and viruses year-round.

-          Get a flu vaccination. This can be one of the most effective ways to avoid the flu. Many employers offer free flu vaccinations onsite. There are also many pharmacy chains that offer the flu vaccination at a low cost.

-          Avoid close contact with people who are sick. And if you are sick, keep your distance from others to protect them from getting sick, too.

-          Clean your hands. Washing your hands often can help protect you from germs. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.

-          Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth. Germs are often spread when a person touches something that is contaminated with germs and then touches his or her eyes, nose or mouth.

-          Practice other good health habits. The CDC recommends cleaning and in some cases disinfecting frequently-touched surfaces at home, work or school, especially when someone around you is ill. Also, get plenty of sleep, be physically active, manage your stress, drink plenty of fluids and eat nutritious food.

-          Think you might have the flu? Know the symptoms. A fever over 100 degrees, achy muscles, chills and sweats, dry cough, fatigue, weakness and congestion could be indicative of the flu. It’s important to remember that many other viruses cause the same symptoms as the flu. Call your medical provider, who may provide advice and, in some cases, anti-viral treatment to help you get better. Some health and age factors can increase a person’s risk of serious complications from the flu--the CDC lists them here—so be sure to seek medical treatment if any of these factors apply to you and you suspect you have the flu.

-          Know what constitutes an emergency. Some symptoms indicate a need for immediate medical attention. These symptoms could be caused by the flu, or by a number of other illnesses.  Regardless, if any of the following symptoms are present, the CDC advises that you seek medical help right away.

Children:

·         Rapid breathing/trouble breathing

·         Bluish skin color

·         Not waking up/interacting

·         Not drinking enough fluids

·         Irritability to the point where the child doesn’t want to be held

·         Fever with a rash

·         Flu-like symptoms going away, then returning with a fever and worse cough

Infants:

·         Any of the above symptoms

·         Inability to eat

·         Produces no tears when crying

·         Having fewer wet diapers than normal

Adults:

·         Difficulty breathing/shortness of breath

·         Pain or pressure in chest or abdomen

·         Sudden dizziness

·         Confusion

·         Severe or persistent vomiting

·         Flu-like symptoms going away, then returning with a fever and worse cough

Someone close to you could have the flu--perhaps it is a coworker, your spouse or the person on the train next to you during your commute. While you can’t control their health, you can take measures to help keep yourself healthy. If you are a Health Advocate member, call your Personal Health Advocate to learn more about flu prevention.

Celebrating Valentine’s Day in a Healthy Way

Valentine’s Day often brings to mind cards, candy, dinner out, and romantic gifts. It’s a day that gives us all a chance to express how much we care about those nearest and dearest to us. But there’s no greater gift to someone you care about than the gift of good health and well-being. This Valentine’s Day, why not give the holiday a new meaning to those you love by giving gifts that can promote good health? Consider these fun gift suggestions that keep health top-of-mind during this heartfelt holiday:

·         For the busy person who often burns both ends of the candle, consider a gift certificate for a massage. A massage may help relieve tense muscles, alleviate stress, and promote relaxation.

·         For someone in your life who loves to cook, how about giving them a cookbook that features delicious, gourmet, healthy recipes? This can encourage eating healthier foods without taking the fun out of cooking. As an added bonus, they can always invite you over to try out those fat-free, lower calorie dishes—it’s a win-win for everyone!

·         Looking to get your loved one to exercise more?  Consider giving a pedometer, a device that counts the number of steps a person takes, which can help foster more interest in daily exercise.  Use Valentine’s Day and February—which is Heart Health Awareness month—as an opportunity to commit to fitness for a healthier heart. Come to think of it…could you benefit from a few extra steps in your life, too?  Why not buy two pedometers and take those steps together?  (You can become “sole mates!”)

·         Stumped about what to get the kids for Valentine’s Day? How about giving them a gift that starts their day off right—the gift of breakfast! Start their day off with a healthy smoothie made with fresh, antioxidant-packed fruits (berries, bananas, oranges, pineapple) and low-fat yogurt. Serve the smoothie in a plastic thermos or water bottle decorated with hearts or another seasonal design.  The kids can reuse this bottle and fill it with water or other healthy drinks.

·         Instead of gifting a high-calorie box of chocolates, how about giving a gift that has more permanence? Either write your own poem, or search online for a poem, that describes your feelings towards your loved one. Type the poem and put it in a festive frame for a gift that can bring a smile to someone’s face!

·         Go nuts on a food basket filled with healthy snacks.  Use Valentine’s-themed treat bags to create single-serve packets that contain a handful of heart-healthy nuts like walnuts, almonds or cashews.  For an extra-special touch, consider adding a little love note to each bag. Create a gift basket that includes fresh fruit like apples and bananas in addition to the treat bags.

Use this Valentine’s Day as an opportunity to tell your loved ones how much you care, and share ways that you can support each other’s health and wellness. If you are a Health Advocate member and want to learn about more heart-healthy ideas, call us!  Our Personal Health Advocates can guide you in finding a new doctor who can perform a blood pressure and cholesterol screening, a nutritionist who can help you improve your diet, and more.

Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow: Tips for Safer Snow Shoveling

Snow can make the outdoors look like a fairy-tale winter wonderland, but for those that have to clear it off their sidewalks and driveways, the magic is short-lived!  According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, “snow shoveling is considered a rigorous aerobic activity and can place great physical demands on your back and can be a source of a variety of injuries.”  Snow shoveling places excessive stress on the spine and is a common cause of low back pain and vertebra disc damage. Before you dig out your snow shovel and get down to work, check out Health Advocate’s tips to help you reduce the potential for injury and make snow shoveling safer:

·         Warm up.  Before you start shoveling, warm up your muscles for ten minutes with light exercise and stretching.

·         Choose the right snow shovel.  Use a shovel that has a curved handle--this enables you to keep your back straighter when shoveling. Also, a plastic shovel blade is usually lighter than a metal one, which can help you put less stress on your spine.

·         Push the snow instead of lifting it—this puts less stress on your back.

·         If you can’t get around lifting the snow, your shoveling technique is very important. Squat with your legs apart, knees bent and back straight. Remember to lift with your legs—don’t bend at the waist. Scoop small amounts of snow into the shovel and walk to where you want to dump it.

·         Don’t remove deep snow all at once; do it a little at a time. Just shovel an inch or two at a time—then rest and repeat.

·         Never throw snow over your shoulder since this action requires a twisting motion that can add to back stress.

·         Light and fluffy snow?  Ha!  Wet snow can be very heavy. In fact, one full shovel of wet snow can weigh as much as 25 pounds!  Take your time and shovel it carefully.

·         Pace yourself. Snow shoveling is equivalent to the aerobic activity of weightlifting. Take frequent breaks to gently stretch your back, arms and legs. To prevent dehydration that can affect your muscles, drink plenty of fluids.

If you have a medical condition, don’t exercise regularly, or are inexperienced at shoveling show, talk to your doctor to find out if this activity is right for you. (Don’t currently have a primary care physician?  If you’re a Health Advocate member, call us to help you locate an in-network, local doctor!)  If you and/or your doctor think you should avoid shoveling snow, your safest bet may be to hire someone to help or ask a friend or family member for their assistance. Your health is the most important thing!

Soup's on!

During the colder months, eating a bowl of soup is a comforting and filling way to take away the winter chill. By making your own soup, you are in control of putting together a variety of healthy ingredients to ensure that you and your family enjoy a delicious and nutritious meal.

There are many advantages to making your own soup.  You can cook it in advance and freeze it so that you have a convenient meal stored away to thaw and eat anytime. It’s also an inexpensive way to add vegetables, protein, fiber and minerals to your diet. Believe it or not, soup can also be used to curb your appetite. In various studies on food consumption, people that ate broth or vegetable-based soups as the first course of a meal consumed 20% fewer calories. And making homemade soup can also be a great way to get children involved in learning about and tasting new vegetables—you can chop up the veggies and have the kids add them to the soup.

If you want to be chef à la soup, check out these easy tips to make sure the soup you make is healthy and filling.

·         To add calcium and protein without the extra fat, instead of using cream, try using skim milk or calcium-fortified soymilk instead.

·         Try adding either fresh or frozen veggies like spinach, broccoli, corn, celery, carrots and potatoes that can help increase fiber, vitamins, and minerals in the soup.

·         A healthier approach to reduce the use of sodium (salt) to flavor the soup is to add your favorite herbs and spices. Experiment with basil, oregano, parsley, garlic, pepper or salt-free seasoning blends.

·         To add more filling power, add beans, lentils, lima beans, brown rice or whole wheat pasta. Beans and whole grains add protein along with fiber.

·         Potatoes, especially russet potatoes, can be pureed into thick and creamy soups—no saturated fat like butter or cream required.

·         Use a low-sodium chicken or vegetable stock as your base and then add your vegetables and meats (chicken, fish, shellfish, or lean meat).

Want more ideas for whipping up healthy soups—or healthifying any meal?  If you are a Health Advocate member whose services include Wellness Coaching, give your Wellness Coach a call.  They’ll be able to give you tips and tricks on making your meals delicious and nutritious!

Fight the flu—start now!

Every fall and winter, 5 to 20 percent of people in the U.S. are infected by seasonal influenza (flu), a virus that attacks the respiratory tract. Experts are saying that this flu season is particularly bad—the Center for Disease Control (CDC) reports that 43 states are already reporting widespread flu outbreaks.  And some cities—such as Boston— are already declaring health emergencies due to a particularly high volume of flu cases reported. 

For some people, contracting the virus can be life-threatening. Therefore, the first line of defense is to get a seasonal flu vaccine. Here’s how you can protect yourself and your loved ones, and how you can turn to Health Advocate for help.

Protect Yourself and Others

• It isn’t too late to get the flu shot! Get your whole family vaccinated. Everyone age 6 months or older should have an annual flu shot. It’s especially important for people at higher risk including young children, pregnant women, people age 65 and older, those with weakened immune systems or chronic illnesses such as asthma, and those who care for others who are at high risk.

• Wash your hands often. Or, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer. Click here to view best practices for handwashing.

• Cover your mouth. Sneeze and cough into a tissue or into your elbow (if a tissue isn’t handy). This is the best way to prevent virus droplets from becoming airborne.

• Don’t touch your nose and eyes. The virus gains entry into the body through the nose, eyes and mouth. (Don’t nibble on your nails, either.)

Think you have the flu?

• Know the symptoms. A fever over 100 degrees, achy muscles, chills and sweats, dry cough, fatigue, weakness and congestion could mean you have the flu.

• Call your doctor. Your doctor may provide a diagnosis and treatment plan.

• Stay home. Going to work or being out and about while sick will only spread the disease.

• Load up on liquids and get plenty of rest. This can help you prevent dehydration and allow your immune system to mount a good defense.

How Health Advocate can help

If you’re a Health Advocate member, turn to us for help with:

• Researching places to get vaccinated and arranging for a flu shot

• Answering questions about the flu and the vaccination

• Finding you a doctor if you think you have the flu, and help making the appointment

• Resolving any claim or insurance issues

Health Advocate members can call us for help at 866.695.8622 or visit us online at HealthAdvocate.com/members.

Tackling Bullies in the Office

Contrary to popular belief, bullying is not limited to taking a classmate’s lunch money or pushing another student down at recess. Bullying represents a variety of behaviors, including physical aggression; verbal aggression; emotional aggression, such as spreading rumors or hurtful gossip; sexual aggression; and cyberbullying.

Bullying is not isolated to school hallways or playgrounds.  An alarming 35 percent of adults have been bullied or are currently experiencing bullying in the workplace, according to the Workplace Bullying Institute.

As part of National Bullying Prevention Month, Health Advocate is pleased to share some tips and resources that can help you confront bullying that happens at work.

Bullying in the workplace

Bullying in the office, whether it’s by a peer or a boss, can create a hostile work environment.  And many victims keep it a secret because they are afraid that if they tell someone, they’ll lose their jobs. Unlike playground bullies who often use their fists to scare victims, workplace bullies generally use words to intimidate.

Any of the following behaviors can be regarded as bullying, including:

·         Verbal threats/written threats via email

·         Being humiliated in meetings among peers

·         Criticism that is undeserved

·         Exclusion from meetings or communication relevant to your job

Dealing with a workplace bully can be difficult and often causes work productivity to suffer.  It can cost a single business $83,000 a year as a result of absenteeism and stress-related issues, says Civility Partners LLC.

It’s important that victims take steps to stop the bullying.  Whether it’s a peer or supervisor causing a hostile work environment, the victim needs to take action.  If you feel you are a victim of a bully in the office, here are some steps you can take:  

·         If you have access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) through your employer, they can help you. Many people are uncomfortable bringing up workplace bullying to other people in the office, so an objective third party—like an EAP—who is an expert in handling these kinds of situations can be helpful to you.

·         Contact Human Resources. You don’t have to tell HR the name of the bully. You can explain that someone in the department has been bullying you repeatedly. It’s important to have this information on file as proof in case of retaliation.

·         Consider telling the bully how you feel.  Stay as calm as possible when confronting the bully. It’s best not to yell or threaten. Often bullies are looking for this type of behavior because it will encourage them to come back for more.

·         Be confident around the bully; don’t feel intimidated or let the bully make you feel bad about yourself.

·         Don’t be afraid to be yourself around your other colleagues. Keep your relationships with your workplace friends. 

Bullying can cause undue stress, so if you’re being bullied it’s important to resolve the problem quickly. If you have access to an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) such as the Health Advocate EAP+Work/Life service through your workplace, call to speak to a Licensed Professional Counselor and/or a work/life specialist.  They are trained to help you handle issues like bullying, workplace conflicts, and the stress that these issues can cause.