Blog Post
Live Well, Work Well - January 2024
Zywave, Inc • Jan 25, 2024
Health and Wellness tips brought to you by MFC Benefits, LLC
Learn more about how to make and keep your New Year's resolution, the health benefits of Dry January and how to protect your skin during winter.
HOW TO MAKE - AND KEEP - YOUR NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION
As a new year begins, you may be reflecting on the past year. This introspection is a significant first step toward selecting a New Year’s resolution to help you grow as a person. Many New Year’s resolutions fail by mid-February due to a lack of self-discipline, with only 1 in 5 people sticking with them all year. That’s why setting yourself up for success when choosing a resolution is important.
The U.S. News and World Report estimates that 80% of people ditch their New Year's resolutions by February.
Regardless of what you choose as your resolution, make sure it’s a “SMART” goal—one that is specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely—to increase the odds that you will stick to it. Here’s what that means:
• Specific —A specific goal is simple and strategic. It’s something you can easily conceptualize. For example, instead of saying you’ll eat healthier, be specific about how you can actually do that (e.g., cook breakfast daily or eat fish twice a week).
• Measurable —A measurable goal is quantified. You’ll be able to see if you’re making progress as you go. For example, if you want to save $500 for your emergency fund or save for a down payment on a home, you’ll be able to track your savings and prove you’re making progress along the way.
• Achievable —An achievable goal is realistic and attainable. If you’ve never worked out before, a daily workout goal won’t likely be feasible or sustainable in the long run. Alternatively, if you’re already taking walks, start with increasing their duration or frequency.
• Relevant —A relevant goal needs to make sense or be appropriate for you. You want your goal to matter, so reflect on the past year about what’s working in your life and what’s not. Timing is equally important, so ensure this is the right time for you to tackle the resolution.
• Timely —A timely goal is accomplished within a specific time frame. You can adjust this period as needed and make new goals or deadlines after achieving the first one.
Remember that New Year’s resolutions don’t have to be health-related, so find what matters to you to help you live a better life in 2024.
HEALTH BENEFITS OF DRY JANUARY
As the holidays end, some people give up alcohol for “Dry January.” The month-long wellness challenge can serve as a reset after overindulging during the holidays or an opportunity to reassess one’s relationship with alcohol. While a month of sobriety can seem overwhelming to some, it comes with some advantages. A brief break from moderate to heavy alcohol consumption may offer the following health-related benefits:
• Better sleep
• Increased focus
• Improved mood
• Boosted energy
• Clearer complexion
• Potential weight loss
Alcohol can also contribute to various health conditions, such as high blood pressure, kidney or liver problems, heart disease and certain cancers. As such, a period of sobriety can positively affect one’s wellbeing and overall health. If you have any questions or concerns about your alcohol consumption, talk to a health care professional.
Alcohol alternatives: mocktails, zero-proof cocktails, sparkling water and functional sodas.
PROTECTING YOUR SKIN DURING WINTER
Taking care of your skin the right way can be difficult. The task can seem almost impossible to achieve when the temperature and humidity levels drop. Dry skin may not seem like the most concerning health problem, but not treating dry skin can result in itchiness, cracked or painful skin, eczema and dermatitis.
This winter, you should limit how much hot water your skin is exposed to, as hot water rapidly dries out your skin. It can help to take shorter baths and showers and use a limited amount of soap. Additionally, it’s important to moisturize properly after bathing to keep your skin hydrated and healthy. Lastly, a humidifier can help keep moisture in the air. Contact your doctor if you have any skin concerns.
HOW TO MAKE - AND KEEP - YOUR NEW YEAR'S RESOLUTION
As a new year begins, you may be reflecting on the past year. This introspection is a significant first step toward selecting a New Year’s resolution to help you grow as a person. Many New Year’s resolutions fail by mid-February due to a lack of self-discipline, with only 1 in 5 people sticking with them all year. That’s why setting yourself up for success when choosing a resolution is important.
The U.S. News and World Report estimates that 80% of people ditch their New Year's resolutions by February.
Regardless of what you choose as your resolution, make sure it’s a “SMART” goal—one that is specific, measurable, attainable, realistic and timely—to increase the odds that you will stick to it. Here’s what that means:
• Specific —A specific goal is simple and strategic. It’s something you can easily conceptualize. For example, instead of saying you’ll eat healthier, be specific about how you can actually do that (e.g., cook breakfast daily or eat fish twice a week).
• Measurable —A measurable goal is quantified. You’ll be able to see if you’re making progress as you go. For example, if you want to save $500 for your emergency fund or save for a down payment on a home, you’ll be able to track your savings and prove you’re making progress along the way.
• Achievable —An achievable goal is realistic and attainable. If you’ve never worked out before, a daily workout goal won’t likely be feasible or sustainable in the long run. Alternatively, if you’re already taking walks, start with increasing their duration or frequency.
• Relevant —A relevant goal needs to make sense or be appropriate for you. You want your goal to matter, so reflect on the past year about what’s working in your life and what’s not. Timing is equally important, so ensure this is the right time for you to tackle the resolution.
• Timely —A timely goal is accomplished within a specific time frame. You can adjust this period as needed and make new goals or deadlines after achieving the first one.
Remember that New Year’s resolutions don’t have to be health-related, so find what matters to you to help you live a better life in 2024.
HEALTH BENEFITS OF DRY JANUARY
As the holidays end, some people give up alcohol for “Dry January.” The month-long wellness challenge can serve as a reset after overindulging during the holidays or an opportunity to reassess one’s relationship with alcohol. While a month of sobriety can seem overwhelming to some, it comes with some advantages. A brief break from moderate to heavy alcohol consumption may offer the following health-related benefits:
• Better sleep
• Increased focus
• Improved mood
• Boosted energy
• Clearer complexion
• Potential weight loss
Alcohol can also contribute to various health conditions, such as high blood pressure, kidney or liver problems, heart disease and certain cancers. As such, a period of sobriety can positively affect one’s wellbeing and overall health. If you have any questions or concerns about your alcohol consumption, talk to a health care professional.
Alcohol alternatives: mocktails, zero-proof cocktails, sparkling water and functional sodas.
PROTECTING YOUR SKIN DURING WINTER
Taking care of your skin the right way can be difficult. The task can seem almost impossible to achieve when the temperature and humidity levels drop. Dry skin may not seem like the most concerning health problem, but not treating dry skin can result in itchiness, cracked or painful skin, eczema and dermatitis.
This winter, you should limit how much hot water your skin is exposed to, as hot water rapidly dries out your skin. It can help to take shorter baths and showers and use a limited amount of soap. Additionally, it’s important to moisturize properly after bathing to keep your skin hydrated and healthy. Lastly, a humidifier can help keep moisture in the air. Contact your doctor if you have any skin concerns.
Download the PDF copy here.
Learn more about the Prescription Drug Report due date and the Court Ruling on Free Preventive Care. PRESCRIPTION DRUG REPORT IS DUE BY JUNE 1, 2024 Group health plans must annually submit detailed information on prescription drug and health care spending to the federal government. This reporting is referred to as the "prescription drug data collection," or the "RxDC report." The next RxDC report is due by Saturday, June 1, 2024, covering data for 2023. Employers should confirm they are taking steps to comply with this reporting deadline, such as providing information to third-party vendors on a timely basis. The RxDC report is comprised of several files, including those that require specific plan-level information, such as plan year beginning and end dates and enrollment and premium data. It also includes files that require detailed information about medical and pharmacy benefits. RxDC reports must be submitted through an online portal maintained by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). CMS'RxDC website includes updated reporting instructions and other reporting resources. Employers commonly use third parties, such as issuers, third-party administrators (TPAs) and pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), to submit RxDC reports on behalf of their health plans. Employers using third parties to submit RxDC reports must ensure that this reporting responsibility is reflected in a written agreement with the third party. Employers may work with multiple third parties to complete the RxDC report for their health plans. For example, a self-insured employer may use both its TPA and PBM to submit different portions of the RxDC report. A health plan's submission is considered complete if CMS receives all required files, regardless of who submits them. COURT RULING EXPECTED SOON ON FREE PREVENTIVE CARE The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals is expected to issue a decision within the next few months regarding the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act's (ACA) preventive care mandate. The ACA requires non-grandfathered health plans and health insurance issuers to cover a set of recommended preventive services without imposing cost-sharing requirements, such as deductibles. In March 2023, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas struck down a key component of the ACA's preventive care mandate. More specifically, the court ruled that the preventive care coverage requirements based on an A or B rating y the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force on or after March 23, 2010, violate the U.S. Constitution. The Biden administration appealed the District Court's decision to the 5th Circuit. A ruling by the 5th Circuit is expected soon, likely followed by an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. It is uncertain whether the 5th Circuit will reverse or uphold the District Court's ruling. However, for now, non-grandfathered health plans and issuers must continue to cover, without cost sharing, the full range of preventive car services required by the ACA. If the 5th Circuit rules that a key component of the ACA's preventive care mandate is unconstitutional, employers will want to consult with their issuers or TPAs to assess the impact on their health coverage. Provided to you by MFC Benefits, LLC © 2024 Zywave, Inc. All rights reserved Download the PDF copy here. Link: http://chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://content.zywave.com/file/b6f7a224-b3a3-4409-a8f2-953f0994d66a/Benefits%20Buzz%20Newsletter%20January%202024.docx Link: http://chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://content.zywave.com/file/b6f7a224-b3a3-4409-a8f2-953f0994d66a/Benefits%20Buzz%20Newsletter%20January%202024.docx
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