Member Updates

If you’re age 50 or over, you are more likely to develop Osteoporosis, a condition that causes your bones to lose mass and density when you age, and can potentially lead to broken bones. Even though exercises that are hard on the joints such as running will be more challenging, there’s no reason you shouldn’t feel strong and in shape. Here are some types of exercises that will not only give you a good workout, but also help you rebuild strength in your bones. 1. Weight Bearing Aerobics According to the Mayo Clinic, weight-bearing aerobics are important because they work with the bones in your legs, hips and lower spine to slow mineral loss, thus maintaining bone density. These also provide cardiovascular benefits which can boost your heart and circulatory system health. Examples of these types of exercises include dancing, gardening, or even taking a walk around your neighborhood. 2. Stretching Stretching is important for any athlete to reduce joint stiffness and increase flexibility. According to the Cleveland Clinic, however, stretching once or twice a day will help reduce back pain and promote good posture if you have osteoporosis. Yoga and Pilates can be excellent for getting these stretches in, but make sure to avoid certain positions, specifically ones that require you to bend forward because they increase the chance of you breaking a bone in the spine. 3. Strength Training According to Meredith Gibson, a physical therapist at the Cleveland Clinic, strength exercises are important for stimulating bone growth, [...]

The first Monday in October is National Child Health Day. As the New England air is getting chillier, and cold and flu season is upon us, here are five tips to help keep your child healthy this season. 1. Get the flu shot Needles might make your child nervous—and maybe you, too—but getting the flu shot may help prevent serious illness for the whole family. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the flu vaccine reduces the risk of flu illness by up to 60 percent. Find out where you can get a flu vaccine by asking your primary care provider, going to a local pharmacy, or visiting HealthMap Vaccine Finder at VaccineFinder.org 2. Teach your good child hand hygiene It’s never too early to teach your child to wash their hands after they cough or sneeze, before they eat, when using the bathroom, and when they come in from outside. Regular hand washing throughout the day helps remove potentially harmful germs from their hands that can make them (and other family members) sick. One tip to make sure they cleanse their hands for a the   20-seconds  is to have them  sing “Happy Birthday” or the “ABC” song while washing their hands. 3. Keep your child active Does your child like sports? Not only are sports fun and a good way to learn teamwork, but physical activity also contributes to good health and helps keep their immune systems healthy. According to Harvard Medical School, exercise may contribute to [...]

Let’s face it, eating healthy can be expensive. Luckily, it doesn’t have to be. Replace your vending machine chips and candy with high-quality, nutritious fruits and vegetables from a local farmers’ market. By purchasing produce from a farmers’ market, you are not only supporting local farmers and the economy, but also these additional benefits: You can often find organic fruits and vegetables for a lower cost than supermarkets. Because produce is from local farms, you can find fresher (and tastier) options than foods that are shipped from long distances. You can enjoy more varieties of seasonal fruits and vegetables you may not find in a supermarket. It’s social! You can meet the farmers who are producing the food as well as connect with other people in your community. Ready to check out a farmers’ market? You can find a map of markets near you from the Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources. If you want to know what produce is in season, use the Massachusetts-Grown Produce Availability Calendar. Resources: MassGrown Map—Find local markets throughout Massachusetts Massachusetts-Grown Produce Availability Calendar—Find out what is in season in Massachusetts so you know what is best to buy each month Farmers’ Markets information from Mass.gov—Find general information about farmers market programs and links to additional state resources Massachusetts farmers’ markets at VisitNewEngland.com—Includes information about markets where you will not only find fresh produce, but other specialty items such as handmade crafts, baked goods, flowers, and more. Fruits & Veggies—More Matters® is a health initiative focused on [...]

Why celebrate the humble walnut? In addition to walnuts being a tasty snack, they provide many important nutrients and health benefits such as a high level of vitamin E. Vitamin E aids in cardiovascular health. (Source) Walnuts also provide anti-inflammatory benefits which may help with diabetes, cardiovascular issues, and metabolic syndrome. Eating walnuts have also been linked to decreasing the risk of prostate and breast cancer, and—due to their omega-3 content—may help maintain a healthy blood pressure level. (Source) Interested in adding more walnuts to your diet? Walnuts are versatile and can be enjoyed with any meal. They can be added to salads, vegetables, fruits, smoothies, yogurt, and desserts. So, be sure to pick up some walnuts on your next grocery store trip. Need some meal ideas? Check out the American Heart Association website for more information on heart health benefits and meal ideas for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks. Breakfast Breakfast Quinoa with Walnut Cream and Blueberries Walnut Whole-Wheat Pancakes Lunch Quinoa-Chicken Salad with Toasted Walnuts, Grapes and Arugula Apple and Walnut Chicken Salad with Green Salad Dinner Chicken, Walnut and Brown Rice Family Favorite Stir-Fry Turkey Medallions with Sweet Potato-Walnut Mash - Delicious Decisions Roasted Vegetables with Walnuts, Basil and Balsamic Vinaigrette Snacks Cranberry Walnut Biscotti Sweet & Spicy Walnuts Find more heart-healthy recipes at Heart.org →

Not really sure what an HMO really is? Do you only “Kinda, sorta” understand deductibles? Health insurance seems to have a language of its own and you want to be sure you’re choosing the right plan. Here, we’ll try to help you by explaining some of the most common terms you’ll see while you’re shopping for insurance. Co-insurance If a health care service has co-insurance, you pay a percentage (part) of the cost for that service. Usually, you start to pay co-insurance after you meet your deductible. It is not a fixed cost like a co-pay. The amount you pay depends on the total cost of the service. Co-pay A fixed price you pay when you get certain health care services. Not all services require a co-pay. Deductible The total amount you must pay in a plan year before your plan will pay for part or all of your services. Some services may not have a deductible. They may be free or just have a co-pay, even though you haven’t met the deductible yet. HMO HMO stands for Health Maintenance Organization. If you choose a plan that is an HMO, you must use in-network providers in order to get your services covered. If you go to an out-of-network provider, the plan won’t cover the cost of your care, except in an emergency. If you enroll in [...]

If you are renewing your health insurance through the Health Connector for 2018, or are applying for the first time, the deadline to complete your enrollment for coverage that starts January 1 is December 23, 2017. Take action now to be sure that you’ve completed these steps to finish your January 1st enrollment: Complete all of the required information to find out what type of coverage or savings you qualify for, like tax credits, a ConnectorCare plan, or MassHealth. Make sure your information is as up-to-date as possible if you are a renewing member. If you qualify for a Health Connector or ConnectorCare plan, you can use our Shopping Guides and new Plan Comparison tool to help find a quality health and dental plan to meet your needs and budget. Once you choose a plan, you must make your first premium payment, in full, by December 23, 2017 for your coverage to start January 1, 2017. You can set up monthly recurring payments online so your bill will always be paid on time each month. There are 3 ways to make a payment: online, by mail, or in-person at a Walk-in Center. Learn about them now → If you are a renewing member and have already set up automatic recurring payments, then you do not need to set up a new recurring payment. Your new premium will be deducted on December 22nd, even if you enrolled in a plan with a different insurance company.  [...]