Is Your Cholesterol in Check?

If you’re looking to make some changes to reduce your heart disease risks and lower your cholesterol, consider these natural ways to do so:

-Eat low-fat dairy products: avoid dairy containing whole milk and cream.

-Eat complex carbohydrates and fiber-rich foods: fruits and veggies, whole grains and legumes.

-Reduce your salt intake: use herbs and spices to flavor your food instead of salt.

-Monitor snacking: opt for low-fat snacks, such as light popcorn, nuts, dried fruits and veggies.

-Reduce saturated fat during cooking: replace butter or margarine with olive, soybean, sunflower or safflower oil.

-Reduce your dietary cholesterol intake: eat no more than four egg yolks per week, and no more than six ounces of lean meat, fish or poultry per day.

Back-to-School Basics

Whether your kids are looking forward to it or dreading it, it’s the back to school time of year again! Here are some tips and suggestions to help make the transition from summer to school a little easier on parents and children alike.

In the weeks before the first day:

1. Buy school supplies early.
2. Re-establish bedtime and mealtime routines at least one week before school starts. Talk with your child about the importance of being well-rested for school days and having regular mealtimes.
3. Arrange a visit beforehand if your child will be going to a new school or is nervous about starting in a new classroom. Explore all areas of the school. Get a map to help direct your child on the first day.

The night before the first day:

1. Pack backpacks the night before so no one is scrambling around at the last minute looking for supplies or materials.
2. Pack lunches or have lunch money ready the night before as well.
3. Locate any school forms that were mailed to you or your child over the summer, such as immunization records, permission slips and class schedules.
4. As your child gets older, first day of school outfits may become very important. To help avoid stress over what to wear on that first morning, have your child pick out clothes the night before.

On the first day:

1. Walk younger children to their classroom and stay with them until they are settled and feel comfortable. Reintroduce them to their teacher, show them their desk or sitting area, and make sure they know where their cubby or locker is located. Leave once they feel at ease.
2. Ask your children about how the day went. Let them know you care.

Organic Produce: Is it Worth it?

When buying non-organic fruits and vegetables, there are some that contain higher levels of pesticides than others. And theses pesticides and chemicals can cause health damage, especially during fetal development and early childhood stages, according to foodnews.org.

While rinsing your fruit and vegetables before eating reduces some pesticides, it will not eliminate them. Peeling helps as well, but you often lose valuable nutrients by removing the peel. With some produce, the best way to avoid pesticide consumption is to buy organic varieties.

These 12 non-organic fruits and vegetables are considered among the most pesticide-ridden: celery, peaches, strawberries, apples, blueberries, nectarines, bell peppers, spinach, cherries, kale/collard greens, potatoes and imported grapes.

The non-organic fruits and vegetables ranking the lowest in pesticide concentration, in order of cleanliness: onions, avocados, sweet corn, pineapple, mangoes, sweet peas, asparagus, kiwi, cabbage, eggplant, cantaloupe, watermelon, grapefruit, sweet potatoes and honeydew melon.

Fall Fitness!

With kids heading back to school and the temperatures cooling down, the fall months present a perfect environment for getting back into your fitness routine. Here are some tips for burning a few extra calories this fall.

Enjoy the weather: The fall months are a perfect time to exercise outdoors due to the cooler temperatures. And outdoor exercise doesn’t have to feel like a workout. Take advantage of seasonal activities, such as raking leaves or apple picking.

Try something new: Fall is also a great time to try a new workout routine or join a fitness class. Many classes at local gyms and health clubs kick off in the fall.

Get creative: Instead of just sitting and watching your child’s sports practice, consider walking around the area or asking the coach if you can participate. And while at work, consider walking outside during meetings or breaks.   

Tropical Vinaigrette Salad

This fresh, tropical salad will liven up your next family meal or get together. Great served with baked or grilled fish.

1 papaya

1 guava

1 Asian pear

¼ cup thinly sliced almonds

½ cup chopped cilantro

1 lb. spring salad mix

4 tablespoons low-fat vinaigrette of your choice

Cut papaya, pear and guava into very thin slices or cubes – whichever you prefer. Put the spring mix salad into a large bowl. Toss with dressing of your choice. Place fruit slices on top, and garnish with sliced almonds and cilantro when ready to serve.

BenefitsBuzz

DID YOU KNOW?

A new survey from the National Business Group on Health reveals that many employees are reluctant to receive benefits communications through social media channels.

The majority of employees said they were not interested in receiving employer-provided benefits or wellness information via social media. These workers would prefer their employers stick to traditional communication methods such as e-mail and home mailings.

HCR Open Enrollment Checklist

Many provisions of the health care reform legislation go into effect on the first day of the plan years beginning on or after September 23, 2010. Use this checklist to ensure compliance for your health plan.

- Determine if you have a grandfathered plan

For non-grandfathered plans only:

1. Amend plan to cover recommended preventive services
2. Create or update your claims appeal process to comply with new requirements
3. If fully-insured, amend plan to eliminate impermissible discrimination in favor of highly compensated employees
4. Amend plan to include patient protections
5. Amend plan to cover dependents up to age 26

For all plans:

1. Amend plan to eliminate lifetime limits
2. Eliminate or restrict annual limits on essential benefits
3. Eliminate pre-existing condition exclusions for children under age 19
4. If your plan includes an FSA, HRA, HSA or Archer MSA, amend it to reflect new requirements for those medical accounts
5. Incorporate new rules regarding rescissions in coverage
6. Provide a 30-day special enrollment opportunity for adult children up to age 26 eligible for coverage (if applicable)
7. Provide a 30-day special enrollment opportunity to individuals who had previously reached the lifetime limit

Required participant notices:

1. If you have a grandfathered plan, you must indicate that status in plan materials
2. Notice that dependent coverage eligibility has been extended up to age 26
3. Notice to those affected by a lifetime limit
4. Notice to those in non-grandfathered plans regarding new patient protections
5. Notice addressing new rules for OTC drugs and medical accounts
6. Notice regarding new appeals process (for non-grandfathered plans)
7. Going forward, provide 30-day written notice of any rescission in coverage

Protect Against Rising ADA Lawsuits

Since the ADA Amendments Act of 2008 (ADAAA) went into effect, there has been a considerable rise in ADA-related lawsuits. This is due to the expanded definition of “disability” under the ADAAA, which increases the number of employees covered under the ADA. Also, the ADAAA shifted emphasis from whether the employee is disabled to how the employer should accommodate the employee.

You can limit your company’s liability regarding ADA-related claims by taking these steps:

1. Make sure your policies and practices are compliant with ADAAA’s regulations.
2. Train your HR personnel and managers regarding ADAAA, namely regarding accommodation issues.
3. Ensure all job descriptions include the “essential functions” of the position. 

Safe Sight for Sports

Did you know that the majority of childhood eye injuries occur while playing sports? And prescription glasses or sunglasses do not provide adequate protection to your child’s eyes while participating in sports.

It is recommended that you invest in eye guards for your child, and they should fit securely and comfortably. Help find the right eye guards for your child:

1. Purchase eye guards at a sports or optical store to be sure they have been tested for sports use.
2. Ask your eye care professional to fit your child with prescription eye guards if he or she wears prescription glasses.
3. Make sure the lenses are either part of the frame, or if the lenses are separate that they pop outward, away from your child’s face.
4. Eye guards may feel uncomfortable for your child at first. Assure your child that this feeling is temporary and will help keep him or her in the game!

Are You a Wise Health Care Consumer?

Many Americans will search through the newspaper for a coupon that saves them a few dollars at the grocery store, but when it comes to health care – a far more complex and expensive purchase – they rarely ask questions or consider all the options to save time and money.

Learn to shop for value when it comes to health care – it could save you thousands of dollars on your family’s medical bills. Consider these tips:

-       Make a deal. Ask your doctor, hospital or dentist if they will accept less for the service. Many individuals who bargain for health care succeed.

-       Know the price. You will be better armed to negotiate discounts when you know the real cost of care. Find rates on the websites of large insurers such as UnitedHealthcare, Cigna and Aetna.

-       Pay in cash. You can often save up to 10 percent on your bill by paying in cash up front. Doctors lose thousands of dollars each year on credit card processing fees, unpaid bill and collection fees.

-       Don’t skimp on preventive care. Be sure your child gets routine checkups and vaccines as needed, both of which can prevent medical issues down the road. And be sure you are getting the recommended screenings to detect health conditions early.

-       Look for free services. Search for free health screenings and vaccinations in your area.

-       Live a healthy lifestyle. Focus on eating nutritiously, cutting back on fast food and getting more physical exercise. Striving toward a healthier lifestyle and maintaining a healthy weight can drastically reduce future medical conditions.

Fighting Fatigue

Busy summer schedules, stress and a lack of sleep can catch up with you. If you find yourself fatigued during the workday, consider these tips to help you stay more alert and energized.

Think about nutrition. Healthy foods help to energize your body. Overeating and skipping meals will make you feel sluggish as your blood sugar crashes. And always start your day off with a nutritious breakfast.

Exercise regularly. This will give you more energy throughout the day and will help you sleep better at night. Don’t have time to get to the gym? A brisk 15- or 30-minute walk during your lunch break can help boost your energy level for the afternoon.

Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. One of the main causes of daytime fatigue is dehydration. Drinking at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water throughout your day and limiting your caffeine to two servings a day will help boost your energy level.

Manage your stress levels. Severe stress is exhausting, so try relaxation techniques such as meditation, listening to calming music, deep breathing, reading or attending a yoga class

It’s Not Too Late to Save!

The sooner you start saving for retirement, the easier it will be for you to live comfortably during your post-working years.

Did You Know…?

1. You will need approximately 80 to 100 percent of your current income to maintain your lifestyle during retirement.
2. Retirement can last for 30 years or more.
3. Almost 1 in 3 retirees say they have no savings of any kind.
4. The average amount paid monthly by the Social Security Administration in the form of benefit is only $1,153.

If you put away as little as $50 per month starting NOW, you can watch your savings grow:

Kiwi and Mango Salsa

This refreshing salsa offers a delicious alternative to traditional salsa. Serve atop fish or chicken as a garnish for a tasty summer meal – or use as a dip with tortilla or pita chips.

4 kiwis

1 cup mango

4 tablespoons chopped cilantro

3 tablespoons lime juice

2 teaspoons minced chilies

1 teaspoon of salt

 Peel mango and kiwis, cut into eighths and then dice. Place diced fruit in a bowl and mix gently with other ingredients. Serves 4.

BenefitsBuzz

DID YOU KNOW?

Dr. Jeffrey Kang, chief medical officer at CIGNA group, predicts that health care reform provisions will drive premium costs higher, due to three key features that will increase employer costs when they go into effect in 2011:

1. Coverage of dependents up to age 26
2. Coverage for all preventive services
3. Elimination of lifetime maximums

Regulations Issued for Patient Protections

The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) established several patient protection provisions. The Departments of Treasury, Labor, and Health and Human Services recently issued interim final rules regarding many of these provisions. The following applies to all health plans, including grandfathered plans:

1. Preexisting condition exclusions are prohibited, both in terms of benefit and coverage limitations.
2. Coverage can never be rescinded except in the case of fraud or intentional misrepresentation of material facts.
3. Lifetime limits are prohibited for “essential health benefits.” Good faith interpretation of what is an essential health benefit is allowed until regulations are released to define the term.
4. The following restricted annual limits are established for essential health benefits:

                    ~ No less than $750,000 beginning Sept. 23, 2010

                    ~ No less than $1.25 million beginning Sept. 23, 2011

                    ~ No less than $2 million beginning Sept. 23, 2012, but before Jan. 1, 2014

The regulations also impose three new requirements for all non-grandfathered health plans. These protections relate to the patient’s choice of a health care provider and benefits for emergency services.

COBRA Subsidy No Longer Available

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) allows for a COBRA premium reduction for eligible individuals who are involuntarily terminated through the end of May 2010.

Assistant Secretary of Labor Phyllis C. Borzi recently issued a statement regarding that COBRA subsidy. Unless the sunset date of May 31, 2010, is extended by Congress, individuals who lose their jobs now will not be eligible for the subsidy.

Any individuals who qualified on or before May 31, 2010, may continue to pay reduced premiums for the full 15-month period.

Celebrate Safely

The Fourth of July is a great time to bring the family together for outdoor fun and activities. But before your family celebrates, make sure everyone knows about fireworks safety.

If not handled properly, even small fireworks can cause eye and burn injuries in both children and adults. Lighting fireworks at home isn’t legal in many areas, so if you’re planning to use them this holiday, check with your local police department first. If they are legal in your area, keep the following safety tips in mind:

~  Children should never play with fireworks. If you allow your kids to use sparklers, make sure they are used outside and kept away from their face, clothing and hair.

~  Light fireworks one at a time, and never relight a dud.

~  Always use fireworks outside and have a bucket of water or a hose nearby in case of accidents.

~  Soak all fireworks in a bucket of water before disposing of them.

Are We There Yet?

If you’re planning a family vacation this summer, you’re most likely focused on finding accommodations and someone to bring in your mail. But it is important to keep your children in mind; some get anxious about leaving home, even if it’s with family. If your child is uneasy about leaving home, consider these tips:

~  If your children are old enough, ask them to help you plan the vacation. They will be pleased they helped and feel excited when their portion of the trip arrives.

~  Get your children books, pictures, or brochures about where you are headed if it is an unfamiliar location. Explain why you chose this site and what types of things you plan to do upon arrival.

~  Ensure everyone gets a good night’s sleep the night before a trip. It will lessen the stress of the morning rush.

~  If you are going on a long road trip, keep your children busy. Bring food, games, books, etc. to keep their minds off the length of the car ride.

~  Let your children bring something familiar from home, such as a blanket, stuffed animal, or picture of their friends or pet.

~ On the trip, don’t force your children to endure adult-oriented activities such as formal dinners, long museum visits or plays in languages they don’t understand. Stick with trips to the zoo, beach, park or souvenir shop.

~ Pack extra food made especially for kids, such as juice boxes, fruit snacks and granola bars. Your children may be picky in certain restaurants.

~  If you will be away from home for an extended period of time, allow your children to call their friends or the person who is pet-sitting so that they can hear a familiar voice and find out what is going on back in their world.  

BenefitsBuzz

DID YOU KNOW?

The IRS has announced that HSA limits will remain the same in 2011 as they are now:

- Maximum HSA contribution: $3,050 (single), $6,150 (family)

- Minimum plan deductible: $1,200 (single), $2,400 (family)

- Maximum out-of-pocket for employee expenses: $5,950 (single), $11,900 (family)

Grandfathered Plans – New Regulations

The recent health care reform law provides that certain “grandfathered” plans are exempt from some of the new requirements under the law. Recently, the Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor and Treasury issued regulations to clarify which plans could retain grandfathered status.

Making significant changes to reduce benefits or increase costs will cause a plan to lose its grandfathered status, including the following changes:

-    Significantly cutting or reducing benefits – such as no longer covering care for certain diseases

-    Significantly raising co-payment charges – cannot raise more than $5, adjusted annually for medical inflation

-    Raising co-insurance percentages

-    Significantly raising deductibles – can only increase by a percentage equal to medical inflation plus 15 percentage points – based on recent inflation rates, about 19-20 percent annual increases would be allowed

-    Significantly reducing employer contributions – cannot decrease these contributions by more than 5 percentage points

-    Adding or tightening an annual limit on what the insurer pays – plans without an annual limit cannot add one, and plans with a limit cannot decrease it

-    Changing insurance companies switching insurers removes grandfathered status

Survey: Group Health Insurance Rates Climbing

A survey released recently by the Council of Insurance Agents & Brokers reveals that group health insurance rates are increasing on a wide scale for 2011 renewals.

     •  For small accounts (50 or fewer employees), 86 percent saw increases and half of those increased 11 to 20 percent.

     •  58 percent of medium-sized accounts (51-500 employees) are seeing increases of 6 to 15 percent.

     •  Of large group accounts (501 or more employees) 51 percent saw rate increases of 6 to 15 percent.

Employers of all sizes are looking at plan design changes in response to the rate increases, including strategies to shift more cost to employees and implementing consumer-driven plans.

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BenefitsBuzz

Benefits and HR tips brought to you by the insurance specialists at Benefit Logic.

DID YOU KNOW?

Check out some highlights from the 2010 MetLife Study of Employee Benefit Trends:

• Employers mostly maintained their benefits plans and employees tended to maintain participation as well
• Controlling costs is now the most common benefits objective for employers, followed by employee retention and employee productivity
• Employees are seeking (and employers are mostly providing) more education about retirement and investing wisely
• Employers and employees agree that wellness, financial and work-life balance programs improve productivity at work

Communicating Health Care Reform

The recently passed health care reform legislation is causing confusion as both employers and employees struggle to understand its many provisions and wait for additional legal guidance regarding how the provisions will go into effect.

Employers may be reluctant to communicate about health care reform with their employees until they have more clarity, but being proactive is the best way to relieve employee concern and prepare them for what is to come. Employers should consider the following communication strategies:

• Inform employees that management is working with benefits experts to understand the law and its impact on the company, but that many provisions do not go into effect now.
• Encourage employees to submit questions related to the legislation, and have management provide as many answers as possible.
• Educate employees now on the changes going into effect for plans starting on or after Sept. 23, 2010:
  • Requiring dependent coverage up to age 26
  • Prohibiting pre-existing condition exclusions for children
  • Banning lifetime dollar limits
  • Restricting annual dollar limits
  • Prohibiting coverage cancellation
• Keep employees informed as more changes take effect and more guidance is issued.
• Thoroughly communicate any changes in your benefits plans, and explain how your plans are affected (or not) by health care reform.

Dependent Children coverage Extension

The new health care reform law includes a provision that health plans that offer dependent coverage to children on their parents’ plans must make the coverage available until the adult child reaches the age of 26 (for all plans starting on or after Sept. 23, 2010). The Departments of Health and Human Services, Labor and Treasury have issued interim final rules relating to this requirement:

• Qualified dependents must be offered the same coverage available to similarly situated individuals and cannot be required to pay more.
• • This provision applies only to plans that offer dependent coverage in the first place. There is no legal requirement to offer dependent coverage, though most plans do.
  • The value of the employer-provided dependant health coverage is excludable from income (thus tax-free) through the end f the taxable year in which the child turns 26.

Although employers can choose to extend this coverage before Sept. 23, 78 percent of employers plan to wait until the effective date, according to a recent study by Towers Watson & Co.