Tag: access to healthcare

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: 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

Healthcare Innovations

We live in a time of change; technology has shaken up the world time and time again, from learning and working virtually to Ai innovations. Disruption is the name of the game in today’s society, so it is no surprise health leaders’ media has reported the healthcare industry is ready for a reckoning. The health leader’s media article “Assessing the biggest disruptors in healthcare” focuses on telehealth champions, but the disruption to the industry doesn’t stop with virtual care. But telemedicine is a great place to start. We now live in a world where you can call a doctor in bed with the flu and have a prescription ready for pickup in an hour. In addition, from an overall health perspective, there are now resources like Rightway, the dedicated health guides who can schedule appointments, find in-network doctors near you, and handle billing disputes all in one app. 

Here at HealthEE by HBG, we use technology to benefit underserved community members like part-time employees, gig workers such as uber drivers and instacart drivers, and freelancers. You can get quotes 100% online pay for monthly coverage like a Netflix subscription. 

Get covered as soon as the following month, and have rightway by your side to sort through plans and telemedicine to avoid waiting in doctor’s offices when you would much rather be in bed.

source:

https://www.healthleadersmedia.com/innovation/assessing-biggest-disruptors-healthcare

Rightway and HBG Expand Partnership to Increase Health Coverage and Care Navigation Access

Rightway’s care navigation solution will be available to anyone who purchases health benefits through the HealthEE by HBG stores.

NEW YORK, Oct. 20, 2022 /PRNewswire/ — Rightway, the healthcare company reinventing care navigation and pharmacy benefits, today announced an expansion to its strategic partnership with Healthy Business Group (HBG). This partnership combines the health plans available on the HealthEE by HBG store with Rightway to give everyone access to comprehensive benefits coverage and an effective, modern care navigation solution.

HBG is a workforce health solutions company that assists small to midsize companies in enhancing their offerings for full and part-time employees. Over the last year, HBG has grown their platform to include HealthEE, an online store that makes benefits accessible to association and union members, part-time and gig workers, freelancers, and more. These individuals can purchase many different coverage options, all in one location, directly from the HealthEE by HBG store.

By teaming up with brokers, associations, and employers, HBG and Rightway can solve one of the biggest challenges that part-time and hourly workers face, which is finding and navigating their health benefits. The HealthEE by HBG store makes it easy for these individuals to purchase affordable benefits traditionally offered by organizations. When members buy a health plan through the HealthEE by HBG store, they will also receive access to Rightway.

Rightway is a clinician-driven care navigation solution that improves healthcare outcomes by pairing members with a live, personalized health guide who can help them find affordable, high-quality care. Having access to a care navigation solution is an especially important benefit for members that have nowhere to turn for healthcare support due to a lack of medical coverage through their employer. Rightway’s goal is to democratize concierge navigation and give healthcare support to individuals who previously didn’t have access to one-to-one clinical experts.

“When people get benefits outside of their employers, they’re even more confused about how to seek the best care,” said Christian Stearns, Managing Director of Innovation and Growth, HealthEE by HBG. “Rightway health guides will become a lifeline to members who buy benefits through our store. Guiding them to highly rated providers and facilities, informing on what they can expect to pay for the services, and more. This partnership will improve health literacy and equity for people that haven’t traditionally been eligible for benefits in today’s healthcare ecosystem.”

“Through an expanded partnership with HBG on their benefits store, we’re able to tap into an important and growing market of part-time workers in need of health insurance,” described Kara Kubarych, VP of Partnerships, Rightway. “Medical coverage is just the first step for this population. By offering Rightway in tandem with HealthEE by HBG plans, individuals are better equipped to navigate the healthcare system to get the most value from their coverage, leading to better health outcomes overall.”

By embedding Rightway in HBG’s medical coverage choices, employees can receive the best health benefits and support to get the care they need–displaying the partnership’s commitment to making healthcare more attainable for everyone, everywhere.

For more information on the Rightway and HBG, please email partnerships@rightwayhealthcare.com or info@hbgnow.com.

New research shows stress caused by concerns regarding recurring payments can lead to poor health

Traditional 9-5 jobs come with various stressors that cause many, especially following the pandemic. Many have left the commute, the office, and the corporate games for the freedom of being their boss. However, the grass always looks greener on the other side. For all the stress, gig workers and freelancers left their traditional jobs to commit to a job based on hustle comes with its stressors. New research shows that workers whose income fluctuates and unpredictable pay tend to have a night of poorer sleep, more stress, and miserable physical symptoms that affect their work and home life. 

The primary stressor is the unknown of future profits to commit to recurring payments. For instance, you may have ten clients in September but only 2 in October. The difference in the income you experience during those two months can make paying for benefits, your phone, and rent hard to know for sure. For as much control as freelancing provides you, there are specific areas where you want consistency, especially regarding your health. Many freelancers, gig workers, and other workers with commission-based pay fall into a scarcity mindset which entails a deep financial worry about having enough to make ends meet and a concern about being able to cope with unexpected bills, etc. This worry can be debilitating, causing people to not register for recurring necessities like health benefits.

Remedying this sense of scarcity is more than just a one-and-done solution. But if you are experiencing this, let us be the first to tell you that you should be doing something other than sacrificing necessities like your health benefits because you feel you can’t afford coverage. Freelancers, part-time employees, gig workers, and anyone suffering from feelings of scarcity have access to low-cost coverage options when they shop at gethealthee.com. Now listen because this is the most critical part. You pay monthly or quarterly, so if your client load differs monthly, you can control your coverage to match your needs. You can also save on your phone coverage because when you get phone protection with gethealthee.com, you can cover 25 additional items, so if you’re a freelancer, cover your laptop and camera as well as your headphones on top of your phone. Finally, think about how much less stress you would feel knowing all the tools you need for success are protected, and it’s only $15 a month. 

You deserve to enjoy the sense of freedom deciding to be a freelancer or gig worker grants you. No one can rain on that parade. You are more likely to have more time to spend with loved ones and on hobbies and should be able to enjoy those moments free of stress.

Schedule a call with our benefits to help resource the free and friendly HealthEE support team to learn more about available options. 

Gig workers need a hand protecting their health

There are many benefits to choosing the freelancer lifestyle. From flexibility over your hours, work environment, and even client choice, only a few other professions allow such control. However, control inevitably means a lack of dependability; it’s all on you; there is no one to fall back on and no stability in terms of a yearly salary, employer-sponsored benefits, or workout stipends. This lack of stability can lead to financial insecurity, poor sleep, stress, and miserable physical symptoms that affect work and home life.   

Gig workers and freelancers are traditionally excluded from a broker’s books of business. Still, it is clear that these communities need coverage, and there are options for them. So we need to get the word out. Freelancers, gig workers, part-time workers all those lacking the stability of a traditional 9-5 can access low-cost coverage with benefits from Healthee by HBG. With no employer sponsorship and no open enrollment, freelancers can enjoy the same flexibility and control they have in their work life and their health. 

No one deserves to have their health suffer when there are options available. What could potentially stop this could be having more freelancers, part-time workers, and gig workers aware that opportunities are available, as many may not know.

 

source: https://www.usnews.com/news/health-news/articles/2022-12-12/gig-economy-could-be-harming-workers-health

Give yourself the gift of wellness

After a month of shopping, cooking, and cleaning for others, you deserve a little treat for yourself. Look no further than HealthEE by HBG’s wellness guide.

  1. A Fancy candle 
    • You can find a fancy candle high and low during the holidays but instead of purchasing one for someone else, buy yourself as fancy a candle as your heart desires. I recommend the Trader Joe’s candles if you’re balling on a budget for a fragrant scent. If you want to dish more, I recommend The Hinoki Fantome candle by boy smells pricier but is worth the tag to experience when treating yourself! 
  2. eMindful
    • eMindful offers daily mindful courses and on-demand resources to relax your body and mind. From meditation to mindfulness-based games, this is the perfect resource if you need a reminder to relax. It’s $20 for three months, so it’s different than committing to a gym on January first and being stuck till the following January. Trust me; you can treat yourself to a daily reminder to relax for a few months.
  3.  Mean lean hydration & immunity support
    • With all signs of this flu season being a doozy, why not implement something extra into your routine? Depending on how “treat myself” you want to take this one, you can go anywhere from the emergen-c packets found at pretty much any drug store or get a little fancy with it and try Nuun, which has more of a flavor variety, low sugar-of course.
  4.  Oneperfect
    • One perfect is like a mindset podcast written by a psychologist with a personalization factor, almost like a verbal journal. Using the OnePerfect app, you can record your messages for yourself or others dealing with similar circumstances. With episodes or “shifts” for many of life’s hiccups, it makes you feel less alone knowing others are dealing with the same struggles and sharing how they are getting through is motivating. Plus, your first two weeks are free! The perfect guiltless treat yourself. 
  5.  Refresh your nighttime routine 
    • A nighttime routine is sacred, let me tell you, and it can change your whole sleep game, having specific actions that remind your body that it’s time to wind down and help you sleep better. While I am no dermatologist this year, I have begun swearing by the nighttime routine dubbed slugging, where you put on a night mask or thick moisturizer before going to sleep. Trader Joe’s has a great watermelon overnight mask, and Kiehl’s ultra facial overnight hydrating masque would be my step-up choice. Both leave you ready for bed ultra hydrated. 
  6.  Your gym alternative
    • Look, we have all learned our lesson at this point. No more gym memberships we aren’t going to use. Instead, opt for something a little more low-maintenance. Wellbeats is the premier in-demand fitness program with 30 channels, hundreds of virtual fitness classes, and 20 + healthy eating cooking tutorials. They have workouts for every age and ability; you don’t have to leave the house! Perfect for the January freeze.
  7.  Telemedicine 
    • Look, it’s something you don’t think you will need until… You do! Picture this not a single minute clinic open for miles, and me miserable with the flu. Walmart health virtual care was indeed my saving grace. When the researchers cried wolf, saying this flu season was going to be a bad one, what they meant was this isn’t something a little DayQuil will solve, for when it’s cold, for when you are sick, or your kids are sick, trust me, you will be glad you have Walmart Health virtual care to get the prescriptions you need asap.  

 

Gen Z is using Social Media to find answers about their health

What began as an app for silly dances and memes has become a bustling platform for the content of all kinds. Tiktok has become a place where you can learn all sorts of information, from recipes to budgeting tips, music, entertainment, history lessons, where to eat, and where to shop. The corners of Tik Tok are endless, whatever you seek. Not only are there videos posted about virtually everything, but we, as viewers, trust this content more often than not. In September, the New York Times, among other publications, reported Tiktok rivaling google as a search engine among Gen Z, with 40% of young people going to TikTok or Instagram over google to find places to eat. The platform has adjusted accordingly, making it easier to find related information using keyword searches.
For Gen Z, there is a lot of distrust in the establishment across several conductors of authority. Gen Z tends to trust the experience of their peers first and foremost. Employer benefits news reported that a recent study by CharityRx discovered that one in three Gen Z users consult Tik Tok before their doctors for health advice. When we consider the topics these Gen Z users seek advice for, anxiety, depression, and weight loss, one can infer that these are all topics traditionally met with judgment from an older generation. While, yes, post-pandemic, we are a more understanding and more mental health-aware society, old habits die hard, and Gen Z may see Tik Tok as a source devoid of judgment.
It’s easy to brush off the trends of a younger generation as fads that will pass, but in terms of social behaviors, social media is a pillar here to stay, like it or not. You can either jump on the bandwagon or get lost in its dust. While many fact check the information they find online, only some do. There is a space online waiting to be filled with truthful information to rebuild the trust it seems Gen Z lacks in healthcare. Gen Z has proved time and time again that just because this is how things have always been done doesn’t mean they will continue to be done in the same way. As a whole, the industry needs to maintain relevance by being the source of knowledge online, meeting this generation where they are instead of hoping they will come to you because we already see that they won’t always.
The truth is Gen Z is just one generation on Tiktok. The platform caters to users of all demographics. Being a peer is being on the app and part of the community as a whole, Gen Z has the spotlight, but they are only one segment of the 750 million monthly users worldwide. In a separate article from Employer benefits news regarding the uninsured population of the gig economy, Stride Health’s CEO, Noah Lang, makes the point that the key to success when it comes to the benefits landscape today is “education, awareness and frequency, and making it easier for their workers to be aware of opportunities.” We must use new mediums to communicate and educate people of all employment statuses about their coverage accessibility.
As a source providing access to benefits for all part-time workers, freelancers, the gig economy as a whole, and any under-benefited individual, Tiktok has been on our radar for some time. It’sIt’s a big wide world out there. Just waiting to hear what you offer; we’ll see you there.

Sources

https://www.benefitnews.com./news/gen-zers-are-turning-to-tiktok-to-answer-healthcare-questionshttps://www.nytimes.com/2022/09/16/technology/gen-z-tiktok-search-engine.htmlhttps://www.benefitnews.com./news/24-of-workers-in-the-gig-economy-are-uninsured-how-can-employers-help

Take a deep breath this Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving can be a time you spend with loved ones sharing delicious food, football, and larger-than-life balloons floating their way down 34th street. Or for many, it is also a time of great stress as you literally and figuratively sit on opposing sides of the table with your family. Whether it’s politics, when you plan to start your own family, or any of the many life decisions you made differently than your elders, Thanksgiving can feel more like an interrogation rather than a celebration.

For those looking to the end of November with stress instead of delight, consider utilizing our wellness resource, eMindful, for help dealing with the added stress you are feeling. Thanksgiving should be a moment to relax ahead of the crazy holiday season, don’t let the relatives get you down; get eMindful to reduce your stress and practice your breathing to get you through the day when it gets here.  

Thanksgiving may be the perfect time to start yourself on a wellness journey, as it is easy to forget to make time for yourself among the hoopla of the holidays. eMindful offers 24/7/365 access to on-demand meditation and mindfulness games. Daily sessions are 30 minutes, and you can choose a schedule that works for you. So treat yourself to self-care with eMindful this November and lead yourself to a less stressful December.