Blog Post
Live Well, Work Well - November 2023
Zywave, Inc • Dec 01, 2023
Health and Wellness tips brought to you by MFC Benefits, LLC
Learn more about American Diabetes Month, understanding dietary supplements and adjusting to Daylight Saving Time.
NOVEMBER IS AMERICAN DIABETES MONTH
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that over 37 million American adults have diabetes, and 1 in 5 don’t know they have it.
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects how your body turns food into energy. Your food is broken down into sugar (glucose) and released into your bloodstream. As your blood sugar goes up, your pancreas releases insulin. This allows the blood sugar to enter your body’s cells for use as energy. A person with diabetes doesn’t make enough insulin or can’t properly use insulin. There are two main types of diabetes:
• Type 1 diabetes occurs when the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin. This type of diabetes is usually diagnosed in children, teens and young adults, but it can develop at any age.
• Type 2 diabetes occurs when the cells don’t respond adequately to insulin, known as insulin resistance. Of the millions of Americans with diabetes, about 90%-95% of them have Type 2.
It’s also important to note that gestational diabetes can develop in pregnant women who have never had diabetes before. Gestational diabetes usually goes away after the baby is born; however, babies born to a mother with gestational diabetes could be at a higher risk for health problems.
In the last twenty years, the number of adults diagnosed with diabetes has more than doubled, according to the CDC.
Reducing Your Risk for Diabetes
While Type 1 diabetes can’t be prevented, you can take the following steps to reduce your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes:
• Eat a balanced diet. Consume plenty of fiber and whole grains, and understand how your foods affect your blood sugar levels. Limit your alcohol intake as well.
• Stay active. Aim for at least 30 minutes of exercise daily. Incorporate both aerobic and resistance training.
• Maintain a healthy weight. If you’re overweight, weight control can be an essential part of diabetes prevention.
Take control of your health now during American Diabetes Month, and have your blood sugar levels tested by your doctor.
UNDERSTANDING DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS
The Council for Responsible Nutrition reports that 75% of Americans take dietary supplements. They come in various forms, including gummies, tablets, powders, drinks and energy bars. Supplements can contain vitamins, minerals, herbs, amino acids, enzymes and other ingredients. Some products can be taken to supplement essential nutrients that could be missing if you lack a variety of nutritious foods in your diet. Others may be consumed to enhance athletic performance, strengthen the immune system, manage pain or improve mental health. While there’s evidence that supplements may be beneficial in some circumstances, there are also concerns, such as:
• Dietary supplements may be harmful when taken in certain combinations or with prescription drugs.
• There is a lack of federal oversight on dietary supplements.
• High doses of vitamins (e.g., vitamin C) can be problematic.
• Dietary supplements aren’t approved to treat or cure a disease.
It’s important to consult a doctor or pharmacist before taking any supplements. They can determine if supplements are right for you.
Popular Dietary Supplements: fish oil, multivitamins, vitamin D, and vitamin B complex.
ADJUSTING TO DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME
Most of the United States shifts between standard and daylight saving time (DST) each year in an effort to “save” natural light. Clocks will get set one hour back on Sunday, Nov. 5, when the DST period ends. Although you may be excited about gaining another hour in your day, the disruption of DST can wreak havoc on your physical and cognitive health for several days, weeks or even months.
Your internal clock regulates critical processes, including liver function and the immune system. Interruptions to the circadian rhythm, your body’s 24-hour biological cycle that regulates wake and sleep, can also impair your focus and judgment. If your state follows DST, consider these tips for helping your body adjust to the time change:
• Exercise in the morning.
• Prioritize daylight exposure.
• Keep a regular sleep routine.
• Remove sleep disturbances.
This article is intended for informational purposes only and is not intended to be exhaustive, nor should any discussion or opinions be construed as professional advice. Readers should contact a health professional for appropriate advice. © 2023 Zywave, Inc. All rights reserved.
NOVEMBER IS AMERICAN DIABETES MONTH
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that over 37 million American adults have diabetes, and 1 in 5 don’t know they have it.
Diabetes is a chronic disease that affects how your body turns food into energy. Your food is broken down into sugar (glucose) and released into your bloodstream. As your blood sugar goes up, your pancreas releases insulin. This allows the blood sugar to enter your body’s cells for use as energy. A person with diabetes doesn’t make enough insulin or can’t properly use insulin. There are two main types of diabetes:
• Type 1 diabetes occurs when the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin. This type of diabetes is usually diagnosed in children, teens and young adults, but it can develop at any age.
• Type 2 diabetes occurs when the cells don’t respond adequately to insulin, known as insulin resistance. Of the millions of Americans with diabetes, about 90%-95% of them have Type 2.
It’s also important to note that gestational diabetes can develop in pregnant women who have never had diabetes before. Gestational diabetes usually goes away after the baby is born; however, babies born to a mother with gestational diabetes could be at a higher risk for health problems.
In the last twenty years, the number of adults diagnosed with diabetes has more than doubled, according to the CDC.
Reducing Your Risk for Diabetes
While Type 1 diabetes can’t be prevented, you can take the following steps to reduce your risk of developing Type 2 diabetes:
• Eat a balanced diet. Consume plenty of fiber and whole grains, and understand how your foods affect your blood sugar levels. Limit your alcohol intake as well.
• Stay active. Aim for at least 30 minutes of exercise daily. Incorporate both aerobic and resistance training.
• Maintain a healthy weight. If you’re overweight, weight control can be an essential part of diabetes prevention.
Take control of your health now during American Diabetes Month, and have your blood sugar levels tested by your doctor.
UNDERSTANDING DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS
The Council for Responsible Nutrition reports that 75% of Americans take dietary supplements. They come in various forms, including gummies, tablets, powders, drinks and energy bars. Supplements can contain vitamins, minerals, herbs, amino acids, enzymes and other ingredients. Some products can be taken to supplement essential nutrients that could be missing if you lack a variety of nutritious foods in your diet. Others may be consumed to enhance athletic performance, strengthen the immune system, manage pain or improve mental health. While there’s evidence that supplements may be beneficial in some circumstances, there are also concerns, such as:
• Dietary supplements may be harmful when taken in certain combinations or with prescription drugs.
• There is a lack of federal oversight on dietary supplements.
• High doses of vitamins (e.g., vitamin C) can be problematic.
• Dietary supplements aren’t approved to treat or cure a disease.
It’s important to consult a doctor or pharmacist before taking any supplements. They can determine if supplements are right for you.
Popular Dietary Supplements: fish oil, multivitamins, vitamin D, and vitamin B complex.
ADJUSTING TO DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME
Most of the United States shifts between standard and daylight saving time (DST) each year in an effort to “save” natural light. Clocks will get set one hour back on Sunday, Nov. 5, when the DST period ends. Although you may be excited about gaining another hour in your day, the disruption of DST can wreak havoc on your physical and cognitive health for several days, weeks or even months.
Your internal clock regulates critical processes, including liver function and the immune system. Interruptions to the circadian rhythm, your body’s 24-hour biological cycle that regulates wake and sleep, can also impair your focus and judgment. If your state follows DST, consider these tips for helping your body adjust to the time change:
• Exercise in the morning.
• Prioritize daylight exposure.
• Keep a regular sleep routine.
• Remove sleep disturbances.
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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