Summer is upon us! Time for sports and leisure activities to take
priority. Don't forget to take care of your health while you're
enjoying the season. If you're self-employed, you might also want to
take a look at disability coverage, just in case!
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Blue Cross Benefits Reminder |
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Blue Cross updated their preventive care benefits this year:
PPO Share Plans (500, 1000, 1500, 2500 and 5000 Deductible)
- These plans all now allow a choice of annual physical exam
or Healthy Check center screening, deductible waived.
- The annual physical exam coinsurance is 30% of their
negotiated fee plus charges over the allowed amount. Blue
Cross will cover up to $200 for a member enrolled over 6
months and $100 for a member enrolled less than 6 months.
Right Plan PPO 40
- Hospital copayment has increased to $500 (up from $400)
Coinsurance for hospitalization remains the same at 40% of the
negotiated fee.
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Recommendations for Healthy Bones |
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Why care about bone density?
As we age, our bones can lose mineral content, increasing our
risk for fractures. Bone density also decreases as estrogen
levels decrease, as at menopause. Depending how far below normal
density levels the bones are, the condition is called
osteopenia or
osteoporosis.
Bone density screening
Current recommendations for having a bone density screening,
which can be done by X-ray, CT scan or ultrasound, are:
- All women over age 65
- Postmenopausal women under 65 with one or more risk
factors: low weight, small frame, low BMI, smoking, family
history of fractures, corticosteroid use for over 3 months,
other conditions such as hyperthyroidism or malabsorption
- Older men or women who suffer a fracture
Your doctor may recommend a screening around age 50, after
menopause or if you have risk factors. Bone loss is silent and
painless-until you get a fracture!
A screening will show how your bone density compares to younger
women and women in your age group. (So far the norms are based
on Caucasian women because of their risk and prevalence of test
results.)
It's important to establish a baseline measure to see in how
your bone density changes over time so that you can take
preventive measures.
Prevention is the best medicine
While there are medical treatments for bone loss, the best
medicine is to start young to prevent it, including:
- Moderate weight-bearing exercise 3 x week, such as regular
brisk walking
- Getting enough calcium and vitamin D through your diet and
supplements (but not too much)
- Eating enough protein (again, not too much)
- Following a low-sodium diet (sodium interferes with
calcium absorption)
- Getting enough "good" fat, such as olive or canola oil
- Not smoking
- Not drinking heavily
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Travelling Tips |
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If you'll be travelling this summer, be sure to be prepared.
- Pack prescriptions in carry-on luggage in their original
containers.
- Have enough prescription medication to last your trip.
- PPO members can access care worldwide through the BlueCard
Worldwide program. 1.800.810.BLUE (2583)
- Emergency services are covered for all Blue Shield
members.
- Remember to bring your ID card with you.
- Make sure you have all your immunizations before you
travel.
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Help us help you! |
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If you run into a challenging benefits situation, let us know.
We'll help you solve it!
Thanks for being our client! We appreciate your business.
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A Message about Disability Insurance from Elaine Young
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Did you know that:
- 48% of home foreclosures are due to disability, while only
3% are due to death?
- 29.2% of families have at least one disabled member?
- One in five working Americans suffers the effects of a
disability for more than 6 months during his/her career?
Disability coverage is an important component of every
working person's benefits planning.Your health plan will cover
medical costs if you have an accident or illness that prevents
you from working, but disability insurance provides replacement
income so that you can pay your bills.
Here's an example of recently issued policy:
$5,000/month in tax-free benefits for a 38-year-old
consultant for a $284 monthly premium. And the premium stays the
same over time, unlike health insurance.
If you're self-employed or don't have the disability coverage
that you need through your employer, give us a call for a
personal benefits plan review.
If you have specific topics you'd like to see covered, let us
know!
We appreciate your business. If there's any way we can be of
service call us at 415.543.8949
or if you have a benefits question, email me at eyoung@shargel.com
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