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 Shield Benefits Changes |
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Effective July 1, 2006 Blue Shield is changing and
clarifying some benefits.
All PPO Plans
- Bone density testing no longer requires prior
authorization.
- Ambulatory surgery centers are now preferred or
non-preferred; copayments differ.
- Dialysis service providers are now preferred or
non-preferred; copayments differ.
- PPO grievance phone number: 1-800-200-3242
Blue Shield Life Plans (including Active Start)
- The grace period for late premiums has changed from 30
to 28 days.
Blue Shield has also introduced two new individual plans
with high deductibles ($3,000 and $4,500) to compete in the
market. We do not sell these plans, as they do not provide
for any brand-name drug coverage or maternity
coverage.
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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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