Live Well, Work Well - July 2024
July 22, 2024
Health and Wellness tips brought to you by MFC Benefits, LLC
Learn more about how to beat the summer heat, grilling safety tips and how a healthy lifestyle may offset genetic risks by 62%.
BEAT THE SUMMER HEAT
Summer heat can be more than uncomfortable; it can threaten your health, especially for older adults and children. Hot and humid weather can make it more challenging for your body to cool down, leading to heat-related illnesses. If left untreated, heat-related illnesses can become life-threatening. In fact, heat-related deaths have been on the rise in the United States.
The CDC reports that heat-related deaths in the country have been increasing, with approximately 1,602 occuring in 2021, 1,722 in 2022, and 2,302 in 2023.
Exposure to abnormal or prolonged heat and humidity without relief or adequate fluids can cause various heat-related illnesses. Here are some common types of illnesses to keep an eye out for this summer:
- Heat cramps are a mild form of heat illness consisting of painful muscle cramps and spasms. These occur during or after intense exercise and sweating in high heat, so moving to a cool place to rest and stretch cramped muscles is important.- Heat exhaustion occurs when a person cannot sweat enough to cool the body, usually due to not drinking enough fluids during hot weather. A person suffering from heat exhaustion must move to a cool place and drink plenty of water.- Heatstroke occurs when your body temperature reaches 104 F or higher within minutes. The person may also become confused or lose consciousness. The condition is the result of untreated heat exhaustion and a serious medical emergency that must be treated quickly by a professional.
Don't let the summer heat get the best of you. Consider these tips to prevent heat-related illness:
- Drink plenty of fluids, but avoid alcoholic and caffeinated beverages (e.g., coffee, tea and soda) that can lead to dehydration- Eat light, refreshing foods- Wear lightweight, light-colored and loose-fitting clothes- Apply sunscreen and wear a wide-brimmed hat and sunglasses- Do chores or other outdoor activities in the morning or evening- Stay indoors as much as possible, or take breaks from being outside
Remembering these tips can help you beat the heat. Contact a doctor if heat-related symptoms don't improve within an hour and seek immediate medical attention if the person has heatstroke.
GRILLING SAFETY TIPS
Although grilling is a popular way to prepare food in the summer, it can also be dangerous. According to the National Fire Protection Association, an average of almost 11,500 home fires involve grills, hibachis or barbecues each year. May, June, July and August are the most active months for grill fires, with July being the top month.
Keep the following safety suggestions in mind when grilling:
- Keep your grill at least 10 feet away from other objects, including your house, decks and overhanging branches.
- Set up the grill on a flat surface, and don't bring it into an unventilated or enclosed space (e.g., garage or porch)
- Only use starter fluid with charcoal grills - never with gas grills
- Keep children and pets at least 3 feet away from the area
- Never leave your grill unattended
- Clean the grates and trays to remove grease and fat buildup
Overall, practicing vigilance and taking proper precautions can help reduce fire and associated burn injuries caused by grills.
Safe Food Temperatures: Prevent foodborne illnesses grilling food to the USDA's proper internal temperatures.
Poultry: 165 F, Ground Meats (including hot dogs and burgers): 160 F, Steaks, Roasts, and Chops: 145 F, and Fish: 145 F.
HEALTHY LIFESTYLE MAY OFFSET GENETIC RISKS BY 62%
Genetics may put some people at greater risk for a shorter lifespan or premature death; however, a healthy lifestyle could help significantly combat it. A new study found that risk could be mitigated by about 62% in people with a genetic disposition. Furthermore, those individuals could extend their lifespan by up to 5.5 years with a healthy lifestyle. The study identified four lifestyle factors that offered better benefits for counterbalancing genetics and prolonging the human lifespan: No current smoking, regular physical activity, adequate sleep duration and a healthy diet. Building a healthier lifestyle may sound challenging, but small changes can make a difference. Contact your doctor for additional guidance.
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
