Author: Brian Scopinich

Stay HealthEE all spring long

Healthy habits are important to maintain all year long but if you’re anything like me, I tend to get a little lackadaisical in the winter months and could use a refresher come spring. If you’re looking to revamp your routine for the warmer weather look no further, we have CDC recommended tips and tricks to get you healthy and ready for the summer.

The CDC recommends you get 150 minutes of moderate intensity leveled activity every week. While 150 may sound like a lot this can work out to 30 minutes a day 5 days a week. Walking can be a great way to get your physical activity in while also going about your everyday routine. Alternatively physical activity can also be a nice break from the norm and an opportunity to try something new. You can join a local gym or take a virtual work out class on demand from the comfort of your backyard through Wellbeats. Sources such as the American College of Sports Medicine advocate that adults engage in resistance training exercises for all major muscle groups at least two days per week. Working out three times per week allows for a more balanced and consistent exercise routine, with adequate rest and recovery time between workouts. 

While you are getting your body moving don’t forget to hydrate! Rethink any sugary sports drinks and sodas instead opt for classic H20 or for a little extra elect a electrolyte infused water. Electrolytes help replace the minerals you naturally lose when sweating as well as improve brain, muscle and heart functions. As spring is a time of rebirth and regrowth, what better time to try new fruits and veggies? 

Of course you need sleep all year long but with longer days and the sun rising earlier now is the time to get your sleep schedule in order to take full advantage of warmer weather and Vitamin D (don’t forget sunblock).

Sources 

https://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/resources/infographic/healthy-spring.htmhttps://www.businessinsider.com/we-asked-an-exercise-scientist-how-many-days-a-week-you-need-to-work-out-to-actually-make-a-difference-2015-6

Do you have a primary care doctor?

In a world long before WFH became part of our vocabulary, the yearly physical was well built into the American family calendar. But, somewhere along the way we have increasingly relied on emergency health solutions. 

Waiting until your health needs become emergency room level only results in unfortunate health and financial outcomes. The purpose of a physical is to catch any health concerns early before they genuinely become concerns. But a recent study from membership-based primary care practice, One Medical found that while 89% of employees agree it is essential to receive regular primary care, only 1 in 5 actually have a primary care provider. 

One Medical survey participant cited difficulty navigating the healthcare system, navigating care costs, and making appointments as the top reasons for putting off primary care. Unfortunately, these obstacles ring true for many navigating healthcare today. Healthy Business Group heard these woes and created gethealthee.com in response. Do you need help navigating the healthcare system? Then don’t because, with gethealthee.com, there are no endless navigation options, just one website for all your benefit needs; truly a one-stop-shop. Have difficulty finding doctors and handling medical bills? When you purchase a medical plan from gethealthee.com, you receive access to Rightway, the dedicated health concierge available to assist you in finding in-network doctors, scheduling appointments, handling billing disputes, and more. 

A primary care physician can help prevent diseases, assist in managing chronic conditions, and improve overall health. However, no one needs to be convinced that having a primary care doctor is essential. Instead, we need to communicate that there are tools to make getting to the doctor easier, like gethealthee.com.

Sources:

https://www.benefitnews.com/news/how-to-get-employees-to-head-back-to-their-primary-care-doctors

Personalize your benefits

Is anyone really surprised by Businessolver’s findings that 85% of employees are confused about their benefits? Benefit confusion is an ongoing issue in the healthcare industry. Yet employees are not shying away from benefits, with mental health and wellness on the forefront of many minds coming out of the pandemic. Employees want help and access to benefits from their employment. More than help, employees are seeking freedom and a sense of choice from both an employment standpoint as well as from a benefit perspective. In today’s society you can have everything personalized to your needs from the milk in your coffee to the style in which you work best (WFH or IO). Especially considering how personal health decisions are, purchasing benefits based on your personal needs should be the baseline, not the exception.

So as an employee how can you personalize and better understand your healthcare experience? For one, many companies have programs that go under utilized due to lack of recognition so seeking out the exact benefits your company offers is a great first step. 

If you A) are underwhelmed by the benefits being offered to you or B) do not have benefits offered through your employer or are your own employer you can still experience personalized benefits. With confusion running rampant in the marketplace we recommend speaking with a support team that is local and not sales oriented. Your health is just that yours and your benefits should truly be yours too. Healthy Business Group knows employees are confused and want more from their benefits. Our Support team is truly a free resource created to help you better understand the options available to you. When you browse our one-stop-shop gethealthee.com you can personalize your benefits purchasing experience. You can pick and choose the kind of coverage and level of coverage that works best for you. You also get to choose your length of coverage with no open enrollment periods, you pay monthly and can decide when to purchase. 

With open eligibility and free access to our support team for everyone in the US it’s never been easier or more personalized to get benefits. 

Sources

https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbeshumanresourcescouncil/2023/04/26/personalization-is-the-future-of-employee-benefits/?sh=174c84495335

What makes HealthEE Support different

Last month you were introduced to Michael and Allie, two HealthEE support members. I popped by again just as they finished another day of answering questions for potential and current HealthEE members. I asked the two of them to describe healthee support in one sentence, and I loved their answers: 

 

Michael: “HealthEE Support is a dynamic support team that is determined to provide you with the best in class customer experience in the Healthcare industry.”

Allie: “If you need benefits, we’ve got you covered from start to finish.”

 

I couldn’t have said it any better myself. What I loved about their answers is that both center around you, the caller, and you, the one who needs the support and help. Yes, HealthEE by HBG offers a one-stop shop for coverage with countless benefits, and our support team could have focused on all we have to offer, but instead, true to the team’s nature, their focus is on you and your needs. 

Next, I asked Michael and Allie what being on the HealthEE Support team has taught them. Allie said she has learned “there is no one size fits all approach to customer support. Each customer deserves a personalized experience based on their individual needs.” Michael followed with how the team has taught him “always to take the next step to give our callers and members better solutions to their needs. I am a natural problem solver, and I love being able to help all who call.” Our support team understands how personal shopping for benefits is. As dedicated and excited as the team is to offer callers guidance, they are a support team – not a sales team. HealthEE Support recognizes having you purchase a plan that isn’t right for you helps no one, which is why we train the support team to be simple guides, a helping hand in your health coverage journey. 

Whatever you need, answers to questions, guidance, or just information, you can feel confident that the intentions of the support team center around finding the best coverage for you and your needs. 

 

Contacting HealthEE Support is easy. You can call or text 888-655-4053, or if you would like to schedule a live appointment via Zoom, you can visit the calendar here.

 

Sun out, lotion out

It’s no secret that being outside can positively affect your health. Between the mental aspects like reducing stress and improving mood to the physical attributes like soaking up vitamin D and the inevitable incentivisation to be active whether that be by walking or some other physical activity we can all agree that the nice weather is good for our health. However, one has to be careful especially as the sun begins to shine brighter and longer. Long exposure to ultraviolet light or UV can cause skin cancer. While protecting your skin from UV rays is important all year long it is essential in the warmer months. 

The CDC recommends utilizing any opportunity for shade, whether that be with an umbrella, hat or tree. The CDC also advocates for daily sunscreen application and reapplication if you are in the sun for more than 2 hours. 

If you don’t want to take my word for it you may heed actor Hugh Jackman’s warnings. Jackman recently took to instagram to share his experience with having two biopsies done for skin cancer on his nose following a checkup. While luckily his was basal cell carcinoma what he described as “the least dangerous of them all” and Skin Cancer Foundation backs up his claims as basal cell carcinoma is the most common type of skin cancer he followed by saying “ it is just not worth it. No matter how much you want a tan, trust me trust me trust me”. This was not the actors first run in with skin cancer, as with the disease lesions can be recurring and must be removed. At the end of the day he said he recommends everyone “put some sunscreen on. You will still have an incredible time out.” In Jackmans case his recent biopsies are for damage that occurred many years prior. 

The moral of the story is young, old and everyone in between needs to wear broad spectrum sunscreen with SPF of 15 or (preferably) higher.

 

Sources:

https://www.cdc.gov/cancer/skin/basic_info/sun-safety.htmhttps://www.healthline.com/health-news/hugh-jackman-skin-cancer-scarehttps://www.nfcr.org/blog/5-ways-spending-more-time-outside-benefits-our-health/?gclid=CjwKCAjw8-OhBhB5EiwADyoY1Tplqo68jRS6ocHdsgEbMGfThY0bE8_36yLYkgVB_ugSUqbL3uGxHxoCRJ4QAvD_BwE

Is it allergies or a cold?

Winter is finally in the rearview mirror, the sun is shining, and we all plan to be outside. The only negative to this cabin fever we all share is the runny nose, scratchy throats, and cloudy feeling that can be attested to one of two phenomena: allergies or a cold. Unfortunately, with allergies being so unpredictable, changing in symptoms and severity yearly, it can be difficult to deduce whether the discomfort you are feeling is, in fact, allergies or a common cold. 

Treating colds and allergies are two different methods of action; choosing the wrong treatment can be the difference between relief and continuous discomfort. It is essential to know the difference to treat yourself effectively and efficiently. According to the CDC, nearly a quarter of US adults have seasonal allergies, and the typical adult battles two or three colds a year, mainly between winter and spring. In a discussion about colds Dr. Yu, a pediatric allergist-immunologist at Columbia University Irving Medical Center, told the New York Times a definite red flag in cataloging your symptoms is a fever as they do not occur with common allergies. Another flag pointing toward a cold is body aches if you’re feeling run down. It’s more likely a cold or another viral infection like Covid-19. On the flip side, a telltale sign you have allergies is a runny nose ft. clear mucus. Another clear allergy indicator is itchiness around your eyes, nose, and ears. 

Now for every “clear sign” and “red flag,” so to speak, there are gray areas in symptoms. For instance, sneezing could indicate either a cold or allergies. But on the other hand, coughing and soreness in your throat can also come from colds and allergies. Thus it is important to consider symptoms outside sneezing, sore throats, and coughing when deducing colds vs. allergies.

So you have considered your ailments and have decided it’s most likely allergies you are feeling. The Mayo clinic advises antihistamines such as cetirizine (Zyrtec Allergy), fexofenadine (Allegra Allergy), and loratadine (Claritin, Alavert). The Mayo Clinic also mentions using nasal sprays and rinsing your sinuses with saline solution to flush out all the congestion. If the usual suspects like Allegra and sinus cleansing aren’t doing the job, you may want to consider speaking with your doctor to develop a different action plan.

The Mayo Clinic recommends remaining hydrated, resting, and even gargling salt water for your common cold. Other common treatments at home include utilizing sore throat remedies like lozenges, ice chips, sipping hold liquids, and an under-the-weather home classic: honey. 

Knowing your symptoms gives you the power to squash them in the bud and start enjoying the change in climate quicker. 

 

Sources:

https://www.nytimes.com/article/cold-allergy-symptoms.htmlhttps://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/common-cold/in-depth/cold-remedies/art-20046403https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hay-fever/in-depth/seasonal-allergies/art-20048343#:~:text=Antihistamines%20can%20help%20relieve%20sneezing,These%20medications%20improve%20nasal%20symptoms.

Meet the team: Michael

HealthEE by HBG prides itself on having a friendly support team, and that begins with having a friendly face at the helm. Today we are spotlighting Michael the Customer Support Team Lead here at HealthEE by HBG. In speaking with him, he shared, he is an avid gym-goer and fitness enthusiast. “I love spending time with my family and friends. A fun fact about me is that I love to cook!” Michael shared when I sat down with him.

Michael, being the fitness fanatic he is, loves our Wellbeats virtual fitness program. He enjoys interacting with different members and knowing that he and the team positively impact members’ benefits and experiences. When I asked him about his favorite interaction to date, he replied, “As a growing company, we take pride in every interaction with our members. Most recently, we had a member who, unfortunately, was laid off from their organization and was looking to cancel their monthly subscription for medical coverage. While we were sad to see him go, he was extremely appreciative and grateful for our positive outlook and high-touch customer service. He said he would come right back to HealthEE once he was employed again. Until then, we look forward to serving more of our members!” Michael’s interaction is a prime example of how HealthEE by HBG is different from other benefit offerings. With no open enrollment periods, the member could cancel his medical coverage as soon as the following month. The other factor making HealthEE by HBG different is the support team itself. In Michael’s words, “0ur attention to detail and sincere hope to help each and every single one of our customers and current members differentiates us from the traditional support teams in the industry – we take pride in everything we do!” Whether you have questions about plan specifics or want to ensure your doctor remains in network, the HealthEE Support team is ready to help. Like detectives, they will find you the answers you need to make a well-informed decision for you and your family. Want to speak with Michael? You can contact him directly at michael@hbgnow.com, by phone at (888) 655-4053, or by our customer support email address at support@hbgnow.com. 

Meet the team: Allie

Say hello to Allison, aka Allie, whose life’s passion is her two kids, and boy, do they keep her busy! When She isn’t chasing after the two of them and not helping the support team, she is an avid reader and enjoys winding down with yoga. 

A true people person, Allie loves talking to our customers, getting to know them, learning about their healthcare needs, and helping them feel supported while choosing the right healthcare coverage. Her favorite HealthEE by HBG benefit is our partner Rightway, the dedicated health concierge. On the topic, Allie described the benefit of Rightway as “unmatched in this industry. Having a personal guide to help navigate the often confusing and time-consuming world of health coverage is so valuable.” 

I asked Allie what makes the HealthEE Support team different from other support teams. She answered, “ The HealthEE support team is so unique. We pave our way – by conforming to the needs of our customers and using trial and error to fine-tune our processes. This open-minded flexibility sets the stage for innovation and allows us to maximize our service. From our prioritization of human interaction to our willingness to go above and beyond, we believe our customers deserve the highest standards for support”. A specific example of this prioritization of the human experience was a case where a woman called Allie and began the call frustrated and unsure of what she registered for. Allie was able to walk her through her coverage from A-Z. The caller purchased additional coverage following her conversation with Allie because she loved the convenience of contacting Allie anytime with questions and trusting the information Allie provided. I then asked Allie what being a part of the Healthee Support Team has taught her, to which she replied, “When it comes to benefits, there is no one size fits all approach to customer support. Each customer deserves a personalized experience based on their individual needs.” Allie enjoys helping solve problems with callers to narrow down which plans will best suit their needs and can help you do the same. You can contact HealthEE Support 5 days a week, and Allie recommends you start by emailing support at support@hbgnow.com to create a line of communication based on what works best for you. Want to speak over the phone? Great, or do you prefer to text or zoom? We do that too. 

Call or text: 888-655-4053

Schedule a live call here

More and more of the workforce is becoming independent

We all seek freedom and independence at one time or another throughout our lifetime. Whether it be the freedom to make your own decisions when you first live on your own or to get yourself from point A to B when you get your license, we typically associate this desire for freedom with youth, but seeking control of our lives is a desire that continues with us throughout our entire lives. The Covid-19 pandemic was a reckoning for many to finally take a leap and reclaim their sense of control regarding work-life balance. A new National Bureau of Economic Research study found that about 15% of the workforce are now independent contractors. We say this because informal work and side hustles continue to make complex data hard to tape down as the gig economy rises. The report’s synopsis describes the contractor workforce as “elusive” due to a myriad of factors, including the miscoding of contract workers who work on multiple projects for a company. The findings of this study have implications for the economy and the demographic profile typically associated with contract workers. The study found millions more Americans are self-employed than previously estimated by reports like the 2022 survey from the freelancing platform Upwork. More than impacting the work culture, economy, and overall data, this trend has become the new norm, not seeming to be going anywhere for awhile. What can you do with this information? 

Start including independent contractors in your book of business. Consider what you can offer contractors to incentivize them to work for you, not the competition. For example, separate benefits with no employer sponsor and no open enrollment periods offer the flexibility contract workers need regarding benefits. 

Source

https://www.benefitnews.com/articles/15-percent-of-the-labor-force-may-be-independent-contractors

Why you should take this opportunity to offer your part time employees benefits!

Since the re-acclimation of society following the Covid-19 pandemic, the workforce’s trend of playing hot potato with their jobs has become even more prevalent. Seemingly gone are the days of long tenure and climbing the corporate ladder as the primary goal of employees. For many, the ideology has shifted to prioritizing mental health and personal life over career advancement. Gold stars, promises of promotions, and free bagels don’t cut it anymore. If retention is essential to your company, you must offer tangible incentives that improve employee life authentically. Especially for the employees entrusted with being the human touch point between the brand and the customer, your sales associates, servers, desk attendants, and the traditionally part-time workers need to feel appreciated and motivated to put the company’s best foot forward. 

What do absolute and tangible retention techniques look like? They look like they are providing securities like access to benefits. Providing part-time employees with low-cost and flexible benefits can actively endorse retention while improving productivity as employees will be less stressed.