Health Tech trends had been diverted last year due to the impact of the COVID. Yet the emerging results are very real and for 2021.
What do you think the defining healthy living trends of 2021 will be? Here are a few to keep your eye on.
Distanced and Digital
1. Telemedicine.Virtual doctor’s appointments were already catching on before the pandemic began, and they’re most likely here to stay. Some visits will still need to be done in person, of course, but don’t be surprised if others, like therapy sessions and quick check-ins, stay digital. The adoption rate has skyrocketed in part because of convenience but also low cost. During the first quarter of 2020, the number of Telehealth visits increased by 50%, compared with the same period in 2019, with a 154% increase in visits noted in surveillance week 13 in 2020, compared with the same period in 2019. See – Preparing for a Telehealth Visit.
2. Ditching the Gym.As social distancing remains a part of life, many people are skipping the gym for good. Everyday routines now include exercising outside as much as possible or turning to apps and videos to find quality solo or group workouts. Health Insurers have doubled down on member gym rewards and expansion to ages as young as 13. Additionally, attending classes has been also recognized. For example, Oxford Health Plans sponsored Chelsea Piers Fitness Virtual Classes.
3. Genomic Breakthrough. Scientists have already made many advances in treatments of killer diseases, including Duchenne muscular Dystrophy, heart disease, and cancer. Due to breakthroughs in this field, we’re likely to see accelerated development of forms of treatment known as “precision medicine,” where drugs can be customized to match the genetic profile of individual patients, making them more effective, as well as less likely to cause unwanted side-effects. Just imagine custom prescriptions based on your genetics.
4. Data and Artificial Intelligence analytics. The coronavirus pandemic has shown us that there is a willingness to share our personal data when the benefits to our health are clearly communicated. This has been proven by track-and-trace systems that have reliably kept infection levels in check in some regions (though less so in others). This will be particularly important from a financial point of view. The coronavirus pandemic has been costly for the healthcare industry, with revenues falling by 50% in the US due to patients avoiding hospitals and surgeries. This will lead to an increased reliance on AI-driven prediction tools to forecast where resources can be used most efficiently. Insurance providers will also step up their use of advanced predictive technology to better understand risk and more accurately set premiums.
Mindful Living
5. Prioritizing mental health.A stressful 2020 placed mental health needs in the spotlight. As a result, many individuals, families, and workplaces feel more comfortable discussing this essential topic. Expect to see a continued focus on stress relief, honest communication, coping techniques, and more. To be sure Yoga has been widely recognized under the gym rewards.
6. Thoughtful cooking and eating.You’ll also probably see a continuing emphasis on sustainable and locally sourced food. This means more home and community gardens, creative and collaborative cooking, and supporting your favorite restaurants by ordering takeout. Overall, in 2021 we’ll be more aware of food sourcing and quality than ever before. People have become more comfortable cooking healthy meals as a health measure and nice savings.
7. Future Planning
After managing so much uncertainty these past few months, preparing for the future has become more urgent. Estate planning, exploring your life insurance options, and taking advantage of your health coverage are all continuing priorities.
We also offer personal line insurance such as renter’s policies, home insurance, and life insurance.
For those who have found the challenges of maintaining proper work-life- balance during COVID-19 may find this artcile helpful. Aside from the obvious physical advanatges now more than ever is a good time to maintain good habits.
Gym closed? These are the best home workout options
Courtesy of CNET by Sharon Profis Updated May 14, 2020
There are really only two ways I’m coming out of this self-quarantine: super-ripped or in dire need of a diet.
Switching to a home workout routine isn’t easy — it takes some space and a lot of intrinsic motivation — but in light of the COVID-19 outbreak, many fitness experts, gyms, apps and studios are doing their part to help us stay in shape. And establishing a workout routine could, most importantly, ease anxiety related to coping with the pandemic.
Staying healthy and in shape while quarantined is totally doable and this guide will show you how. Even if you have a small space, no equipment (hello body weight workouts!) or very little time, there are many great options to help you exercise during a quarantine, with exercises focused on upper body, lower body, core muscles, chest, back — all the muscle groups, really. Then, of course, there’s high-intensity interval training, cardio and more. Seriously, these exercise options will get your heart rate up.
The fastest way to start an at-home workout routine is through instructor-led videos. Live or prerecorded the videos are typically 25-45 minutes and often require little to no fitness equipment, making it easy to jump right in.
These videos often require a subscription or membership, but many providers are offering them for free — or as an extended trial — while the outbreak leaves us stuck at home.
Here’s a list of some of my favorite at-home workout apps with live and prerecorded videos. They include yoga, bootcamp-style classes, boxing, high intensity interval training, plyometrics, pilates and barre exercises.
Normally $13 a month, Peloton is offering a free, 90-day trial of its polished workout app. The app — which doesn’t require a purchase of Peloton’s bike or treadmill — includes easy-to-follow and high-quality videos, including yoga, strength, meditation, cardio and bootcamp classes. There are also audio-only classes for outdoor runs, if that’s still an option for you.
Like many yoga studios, CorePower shut down its studios due to the outbreak and pivoted to online-only options. New classes are added weekly, including sculpt (those ones hurt!), yoga and meditation. The company is offering free yoga classes to everyone — even nonmembers — through March 30 and may extend its offering if their studios remain closed.
I spent an entire year exercising with Nike Training Club and got in great shape with very little equipment. The app — which is always free — has a wide variety of home workouts to choose from, including programs that help you set an ongoing workout schedule. The key here is that workouts can be filtered based on whether or not you have access to a gym or equipment, so you can easily find bodyweight-only exercises.
If you’ve ever had a membership at a gym like 24 Hour Fitness, you’ve probably heard of Body Pump. The class, which is managed by Les Mills, is just one of more than a dozen different types of classes, including boxing, dance and yoga. All these classes are available on demand through a 30-day free trial and many classes are equipment-free. After the trial, the monthly membership is $14.99 a month or $11.99 a month with a three-month commitment.
Designed to get you moving even when you feel stuck.
Cassey Ho, the fitness guru behind the hugely popular Blogilates YouTube channel and website continues to offer a massive library of pilates-style toning classes. In response to the outbreak, she also created a 14-day quarantine workout plan, a great option for those looking to add structure to their at-home workout schedules.
As of March 15, Barry’s (née Barry’s Bootcamp) closed all of its studios in the US, Europe and Canada. If you’re a Barry’s goer — or have heard people (like me) obsess over its high-intensity workouts — now’s a good time to get a taste of its offerings. The company is streaming two new workouts daily, one that doesn’t require equipment and another that uses some basic items, like fitness bands. You can check out its daily workouts and previous streams on Instagram.
If you’re an Amazon Prime member, you already have free access to a varied library of fitness videos, including Zumba and cardio programs such as 21-Day Transformation from GymRa. Just head to Prime Video and search for “fitness,” then check the “Prime” box in the left sidebar to see what’s available for streaming.
Individual personal trainers
Many personal trainers, whose classes and training sessions have been put on hold, are offering their knowledge for free. You can find them on Instagram, where they are streaming daily workout classes and showing you how to master certain moves. YouTube is home to many fitness trainers who put out free exercise videos, covering every kind of work out from yoga and pilates, to dance and bootcamp. Finally, our colleagues over at MaxPreps have rounded up free workout classes from professional fitness trainer Katerina Kountouris.
Plenty of apps and YouTube channels have equipment-free workouts, but if you want to build strength or increase your efficacy, even basic equipment can make a huge difference.
Here are some things you can use alone or with an at-home workout. At this point, you might not be ready to invest a lot in a home gym, so here are some affordable options. You don’t need everything on this list — just pick the items that work best for the types of workouts you’re doing, like strength training, yoga or HIIT.
Jump rope: If you have a room with high enough ceilings or can safely step outside, a jump rope is a go-to for warming up or getting in a quick cardio workout when you’re strapped for time.
Dumbbells: Weights are pretty much a must-have for a home workout routine, which is pretty apparent due to the low inventory available as gyms close due to the outbreak. As of writing, these dumbbells are available on Amazon and will be delivered in under a week.
Don’t forget to stretch before working out.
Angela Lang/CNET
Workout mat (or yoga mat): There are many types of mats out there and the one you choose will depend on your primary form of exercise, as well as the floor you’re working with. For instance, you’ll specifically want a yoga mat for yoga practice, while a higher-density workout mat works better for bodyweight exercises and carpeted floors.
Yoga block: Yoga blocks provide extra support during practice, especially for those who are just starting to exercise their flexibility. They’re essentially a must-have for practicing yoga and these ones come in a set of two and have a soft finish while maintaining high density for balance.
A mirror: No, not (just) for checking yourself out, but for ensuring good form while you give new workouts a try. This wall mirror from Ikea provides enough width to get a good view of your workout.
Headphones: If you’re working out to your phone, tablet or laptop, headphones will give you the best experience — while also doing a courtesy to anyone in the household who doesn’t want to work out with you.
Lacrosse ball and foam roller. As you ease into a new workout routine, take care of your body by caring for its mobility with these tools. This lacrosse ball will relieve tension in your feet and back while this foam roller can be used throughout your body.
Some of us have already been considering a home gym setup that goes further than the basics. Today’s at-home gym equipment — like bikes and treadmills — can mimic the in-studio experience with live-streaming classes, social features and progress-tracking through apps and compatible devices such as the Apple Watch ($399 at Apple). Plus, if you’re still on the fence about these investments, companies like Peloton and Mirror offer generous trial periods — long enough to help you decide if that big investment is worthwhile.
Peloton
Peloton’s indoor bicycle is an ideal — albeit expensive — quarantine companion. With its small footprint (it requires a four- by six-foot space), socially engaging workout classes and varied class durations, Peloton’s bike is an excellent choice for cycling buffs. The company now offers a 30-day trial, letting you test ride the experience before committing to the $2,245 price tag, plus $30-a-month membership. If you decide against it, the company will arrange a pick-up and process a full refund.
If it’s any comfort, the monthly membership fee also includes access to Peloton’s digital app of diverse workout classes and the bicycle can be financed through Affirm.Read our Peloton Bike review.
Mirror
Those who love working out to YouTube videos (or even old-school fitness DVDs) will love the Mirror. It takes that at-home video workout experience and brings it into 2020 by turning a functional mirror into a screen that plays live and recorded workouts.
We tried the Mirror and appreciated the variety of workouts, social interactions and small footprint. Plus, while it’s still a pricey investment at $1,500 (and a $39-a-month subscription), it’s $750 less than the Peloton and offers more variety. The Mirror also syncs with your Apple Watch, so you can get an accurate calorie burn and close those rings. Read our Mirror review.
A treadmill
Best for runners and cardio junkies
Woodway
The at-home treadmill isn’t what it was in the ’90s. Today’s machines often come with a large screen, where you can stream treadmill workouts and track your progress. Plus, many apps — including Peloton — can be paired with a treadmill to make running at home feel, well, fun. CNET tested a bunch of treadmills and here are our favorites.
Best for a Peloton experience without the price tag
Echelon
Peloton is like the Kleenex of connected exercise bikes — its name gets used a lot, but it’s certainly not the only stationary bike with live classes and high-tech features. Not only can you make a DIY Peloton, but there are also alternatives around $1,000. (That’s $1,500 less than Peloton’s offering.) Read more on Peloton alternatives.
Rowing is a great way to get an efficient cardio workout without the impact of exercises like running or HIIT. Unlike treadmills or stationary bikes, rowing machines provide a full-body workout, including upper-body parts like the back, shoulders, arms and chest.
Hydrow, which we reviewed in 2019, is a rowing machine that makes the repetitive exercise of rowing a little more exciting with live and on-demand classes displayed on its attached touchscreen. The screen swivels, which is great for when you want to take one of Hydrow’s mat workouts (which don’t require any rowing).
At $2,200, it’s certainly not a budget item and you’ll have to pay $38 a month for the content subscription. Like Peloton, you can try it out at home with a 30-day trial.
Watch this: Peloton Bike makes spinning at home much smoother
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The information contained in this article is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as health or medical advice. Always consult a physician or other qualified health provider regarding any questions you may have about a medical condition or health objectives.
As a business organizational Coronavirus Preparedness Plan is necessary step but how about your sponsored group healthcare plan? Does your your Insurance cover Coronavirus testing and treatment?
There has been a lot of news coverage recently about the Coronavirus: Type COVID-19 outbreak. You and your family may have questions about the outbreak and want to know how to stay healthy. For the latest information, please visit the New York State Department of Health,NJ, CTand the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention websites. You will find updates on this rapidly changing situation, plus prevention advice and instructions.
In most traditional group health plan arrangements, testing for COVID-19 should be coveredlike other diagnostic tests (e.g., the flu test or rapid strep test) when medically necessary. States like NY, CA, OR and Washington have issued requiring (among other things) insurance carriers to cover services associated with testing for the COVID-19 without cost-sharing. It is likely that other States will adapt similair rules shortly.
In light of the spread of COVID-19 and their goal of supporting the health and well-being of their members, the following resources are now available for members in all markets and all group sizes.
ShelterPoint DBL
March 25, 2020- NY “Emergency COVID-19 Paid Sick Leave”How is COVID-19 quarantine defined under the NY law? Under what circumstances does a quarantine qualify for benefits under this act?“Emergency COVID-19 Paid Sick Leave” applies to employees who are ordered by the State of NY, Department of Health, a local Board of Health, or any other governmental entity to be under mandatory or precautionary quarantine/isolation due to COVID-19. More
1. For the next 90 days, Aetna will offer zero co-pay telemedicine visits for any reason.
Aetna is recommending members use telemedicine as their first line of defense in order to limit potential exposure in physician offices.
Cost sharing will be waived for all video visits through the CVS MinuteClinic app, Aetna-covered Teladoc offerings and in-network providers delivering synchronous virtual care (live video-conferencing).
Click on the links below for Teledoc Coronavirus Flyers.
Testing will be covered. During this public health crisis, AmeriHealth New Jersey will cover as a preventive service and waive cost sharing (such as co pays and coinsurance) for the COVID 19 test when performed at a hospital or an approved laboratory.
Telemedicine is available. To help reduce potential exposure, AmeriHealth New Jersey also encourages members to utilize telemedicine services if they are available as part of a member’s plan. To encourage use of these services, AmeriHealth New Jersey will waive member co pays where applicable for telemedicine visits for the next 90 days. To access telemedicine options, members should login to our member website at amerihealthnj.com.
Treatment will be covered. At this time, there is no specific antiviral treatment or vaccine for COVID 19. Members should receive care from their doctor to help relieve symptoms as they would other viral respiratory infections. AmeriHealth New Jersey continues to cover medically necessary health care costs to treat infectious diseases, including COVID 19, based on the terms of the member’s insurance plan.
Prescriptions can be filled. AmeriHealth New Jersey has lifted prescription refill restrictions on maintenance medications, such as the “refill too soon” limit, for members in states that have declared a state of emergency because of the virus. We are carefully monitoring COVID 19 developments and will make adjustments to policies as appropriate. We recommend that members call the Pharmacy Services number on their ID cards as needed if they require additional medication refills due to a potential quarantine situation.
EmblemHealth
EmblemHealth has confirmed that telemedicine is available in all Small Group plans, including the HSA plans.
Cost sharing for telemedicine has been waived for HSA plans.
• Telemedicine: TELADOC EmblemHealth To reduce urgent care and emergency room visits during the outbreak as well as provide peace of mind, members can access their available telemedicine benefit by going to teladoc.com or call 800-TELA-DOC (800-835-2362).
• 24/7 Nurse Line: As always, EmblemHealth’s 24-Hour Nurse Line, is available and members can speak with an experienced, licensed nurse anytime. Members can call 877-444-7988 for confidential, one- on-one health counseling and accurate information to help make informed health care decisions.
• Benefits and cost-sharing: Cost-sharing as required by the state for testing, as well in-network cost-sharing for physician’s office visits, urgent care visits and emergency room visits associated with testing are being waived. EmblemHealth will not require preauthorization for COVID-19 testing.
• Provider assistance and tools: Ensuring affordability and keeping costs down is all our responsibility including our providers. We are working closely to ensure our providers have the latest information and tools to help in diagnostic practices and testing protocols.
• AdvantageCare Physicians access: ACPNY is prepared to receive people in need of care. Isolation rooms, screening protocols, and direct contact with testing centers, are in place to ensure proper care and the protection of our employees and patients. People should call their primary care physician before seeking care at a physical location.
Amid the growing concerns about the spread of COVID-19 in communities across the country, Anthem is eliminating the burden of additional costs for members in its affiliated health plans by providing coverage of the coronavirus screening test at no out-of-pocket cost.
Will my Empire benefits cover COVID-19 testing and care?
Don’t worry — if your in-network provider orders a coronavirus test, your Empire health plan will cover the cost for the test and the in-network provider care visit and you will not be subject to any cost sharing.
Empire is waiving these costs for all affiliated fully-insured, Individual, Medicaid and Medicare plans. For high deductible health plans your deductible will apply. For self-funded plans, check with your employer or call the number on your ID card.
HealthFirst COVID-19 Resource Page – Healthfirst is actively monitoring the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak and is here to help you get access to the care you need. Continue to check this page as it will be updated as new information becomes available.
Will my Healthfirst benefits cover Coronavirus (COVID-19) testing and evaluation? Healthfirst is waiving co-pays for all diagnostic testing and evaluations related to coronavirus. This means that if your PCP or in-network provider orders a coronavirus test, your Healthfirst health plan will cover the cost for the test and the in-network provider visit related to the coronavirus evaluation. You will not be subject to any cost sharing for the test or the in-network provider visit.
Finding Care
Call your doctor if you develop a fever, have a cough, or have difficulty breathing. Let your doctor know if you’ve been in close contact with a person known to have Coronavirus (COVID-19), or if you live in or have recently traveled to an area where the coronavirus virus has spread. Be sure to carefully follow your doctors’ instructions.
You can also receive virtual care. The Healthfirst Teladoc (telehealth) service is available for eligible members* and is covered for coronavirus related services. If you think you may be infected, Teladoc doctors can answer questions about the disease, evaluate your risk, and advise you on next steps. The Teladoc clinical team is trained on the latest protocols for local and national notification, testing, and management of people under investigation for the coronavirus.
New Jersey’s largest health insurance provider, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey, will cover all COVID-19 tests, the company announced in a press release.
Horizon said there would be a number of other coverage changes for their over 3.2 million members in relation to COVID-19, also known as coronavirus or the novel coronavirus. They include:
Effective Immediately, Horizon BCBSNJ is taking these steps:
Waiving prior authorizations for a visit to a primary care physician, urgent care center, or emergency room for evaluation of upper respiratory symptoms, fever, shortness of breath or other conditions that may represent COVID-19.
Waiving prior authorizations for diagnostic tests and for covered services that are medically necessary and consistent with CDC guidance if diagnosed with COVID-19.
Waiving prior authorization for lab studies or diagnostic testing required during an ER evaluation or inpatient hospital stay.
Waiver of Prior Authorization for diagnosis of COVID-19
We will cover, with no cost share to the member, the appropriate medically necessary diagnostic testing for COVID-19.
Horizon will cover the full cost of the COVID-19 test
Waive early medication refill limits on 30-day prescription maintenance medications (consistent with member’s benefit plan) and/or encourage members to use 90-day mail order benefit. Horizon will also ensure formulary flexibility if there are shortages or access issues and not hold patients liable for additional charges stemming from obtaining a non-preferred medication resulting from shortages or access issues.
Increased access to prescription medicationsAccess to Telehealth and Nurse Advice Hotlines
24/7 access to free telehealth services staffed by nurses trained to help patients who believe they are experiencing COVID-19 symptoms. Members can also use these services for other ailments in order to avoid trips to the doctors office or urgent care facilities. Those service are available through the company’s free “Horizon Blue” app, the www.HorizonBlue.com online portal, or by phone at 1-888-624-3096. Members may also use those services to consult with a nurse about other health concerns and potentially avoid a visit to a physician office or urgent care facility.
Relaxation applies to covered services delivered by video or telephone from in-network and out-of-network health professionals.
Waiving member cost-sharing for covered services provided by an in-network health care professional for telemedicine visit.
Applies to all covered IN-NETWORK ONLY services delivered by telemedicine including those provided by primary care doctors, specialists, therapists, mental health and substance use treatment professionals, or urgent care doctors.
All fees associated with COVID-19 testing are waived for MVP members in Commercial fully insured plans, Medicare plans, Medicaid Managed Care, and Child Health Plus. The directive issued by DFS does not apply to self-funded plans, but MVP’s self-funded employer groups have the option to implement the waived cost-share. The same rules for New York will apply to Vermont Commercial members of MVP.
MVP will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation and share the most up-to-date information at mvphealthcare.com/COVID19.
In response to the growing number of cases related to COVID-19 (colloquially known as the coronavirus), we want to let you know that Oscar is here to help keep your employees safe and informed as the situation progresses.
To support the health and safety of your clients, we are making the following resources available to Oscar members:
Waiving cost-sharing for COVID-19 diagnostic testing. If your client’s doctor recommends they should be tested for COVID-19, they will not be charged for the lab test.
Continuing to offer $0 telemedicine services (Doctor on Call).* Telemedicine is a great option for people who think they could have COVID-19. Our telemedicine PCPs can recommend COVID-19 testing and direct your clients to the right place for testing.
An online COVID-19 resource center: hioscar.com/covid19. We created this webpage so Oscar members can stay up-to-date on the latest information and understand their care options.
As a reminder, Oscar members have access to our Doctor on Call service 24/7 and our Concierge team is prepared to support in any way. Your clients can call their Concierge team at 1-855-672-2755. They can also secure message Concierge or request a Doctor on Call consultation from their Oscar app or online account (hioscar.com/member) at any time.
Oxford
As a commitment to our members and their communities, UnitedHealth Group has done the following:
Waived all COVID-19 diagnostic test cost-sharing for insured members.
Provided FREE access to Optum’s Emotional-Support Help Line at (866) 342-6892 (available 24 hours a day, seven days a week) for anyone dealing with stress or anxiety related to COVID-19.
Prepared and trained OptumCare clinicians across the country to support COVID-19 patients’ needs.
Coronaviruses are an extremely common cause of colds and other upper respiratory infections. The symptoms can include a cough, possibly with a fever and shortness of breath. There are some early reports of non-respiratory symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. Many people recover within a few days. However, some people — especially the very young, elderly, or people who have a weakened immune system — may develop a more serious infection, such as bronchitis or pneumonia.
Should you worry about catching this virus?
Unless you’ve been in close contact with someone who has the coronavirus — right now, this typically means a traveler from Wuhan, China who actually has the virus — you’re likely to be safe. In the US, for example, all five cases of the virus were recent travelers to Wuhan. The CDC maintains the risk is low to Americans, however, “we need to be preparing as if this is a pandemic, but I continue to hope that it is not,” said Dr. Nancy Messonnier, director of the CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases.
How can I protect myself?
Much like prevention of the spread of any other infectious disease, basic hygiene principles are key to curbing the spread of this virus.
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol if soap and water are not available.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Stay home when you are sick.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
SHRM Webcast: Coronavirus: Legal and Workplace Implications Thursday, March @ 2PM ET. Get the facts. Lead your organization’s response to the coronavirus crisis. Learn the proper steps to take to keep your workforce safe, implications of federal laws and more. You must be an active SHRM member to attend.
Please contact us for further information or if you need assistance creating a workable plan. The information provided on this website is intended for informational purposes only. Millennium Medical Solutions Corp. does not offer legal or medical guidance. Those with legal or medical questions should seek appropriate assistance from a licensed professional.
As the COVID-19 situation continues to evolve, we would like to remind brokers that ACH/EFT payments are a great way to avoid processing delays With many carriers now working remotely, it’s likely that live checks will be subject to delayed processing.
As we watch, wait and see the evolution of this Corona Virus outbreak, it is important that employers plan. This is not a situation where you want to panic should this hit your business.
What we know about the virus
Coronaviruses are an extremely common cause of colds and other upper respiratory infections. The symptoms can include a cough, possibly with a fever and shortness of breath. There are some early reports of non-respiratory symptoms, such as nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. Many people recover within a few days. However, some people — especially the very young, elderly, or people who have a weakened immune system — may develop a more serious infection, such as bronchitis or pneumonia.
Should you worry about catching this virus?
Unless you’ve been in close contact with someone who has the coronavirus — right now, this typically means a traveler from Wuhan, China who actually has the virus — you’re likely to be safe. In the US, for example, all five cases of the virus were recent travelers to Wuhan. The CDC maintains the risk is low to Americans, however, “we need to be preparing as if this is a pandemic, but I continue to hope that it is not,” said Dr. Nancy Messonnier, director of the CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases.
How can I protect myself?
Much like prevention of the spread of any other infectious disease, basic hygiene principles are key to curbing the spread of this virus.
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60 percent alcohol if soap and water are not available.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Stay home when you are sick.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces.
Be mindful of:
Employee wellbeing. Monitor updates from public health officials and governments and keep employees informed and educated about the outbreak and any steps being taken to safeguard their health. Encourage employees to stay home when sick and telecommute if the outbreak worsens.
Travel policies. As of Monday, January 27th, the CDC has issued a stronger warning about travel, urging Americans to reconsider travel anywhere in China, issuing a stronger level 4 warning for the specific province where Wuhan is located, stating: “Do not travel to Hubei province, China” due to the coronavirus outbreak. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention urges people to seek medical care right away if they had traveled to Wuhan in the past two weeks and develop a fever, cough or trouble breathing. It says older adults and people with underlying health conditions may be most at risk for severe illness from the virus.
Potential supply chain interruption. Identify operational and/or revenue impacts from potential disruptions to key suppliers and vendors. Also consider the possibility of sourcing good or parts from alternative suppliers.
Insurance coverage. Review insurance policies, prepare for potential claims, and consult your broker if you have questions.
SHRM Webcast: Coronavirus: Legal and Workplace Implications Thursday, March @ 2PM ET. Get the facts. Lead your organization’s response to the coronavirus crisis. Learn the proper steps to take to keep your workforce safe, implications of federal laws and more. You must be an active SHRM member to attend.
Please contact us for further information or if you need assistance creating a workable plan.
In honor of the end of football season, here is a a list of Top 10 Best Healthcare Apps of 2019. For those of you hitting the ground running on your New Years health resolutions will find these apps helpful ranging form habit trackers to meditation.
Strides Habit Tracker: Best Self-Care App to Track Important Daily Habits
What We Like
Strides works on all Apple devices, including the Apple Watch.
It tracks all of your goals and daily habits in one place, in checklist form.
What We Don’t Like
You need to add each of your goals and habits separately before you can start tracking.
Are you drinking enough water? What about getting enough sleep? The Strides Habit Tracker makes it easy to track those goals and habits you need to be your best self. After adding each of your individual goals and healthy habits, you’ll be able to see a daily checklist of tasks to keep you on target.
Strides will also send notifications on your device to remind you of your goals. You can also see your daily and long-term progress using the in-app charts. Strides is currently available for free for all iOS and watchOS devices, but for unlimited trackers, web syncing, and data protection, there’s Strides Plus for $29.99 per year.
MyFitnessPal: Best Self Motivation App for Tracking Fitness Goals
What We Like
Tracking your daily calorie count is easy with the built-in menu offering thousands of products to choose from.
What We Don’t Like
Isn’t completely ad free without purchasing the pro version.
If exercise and healthy eating habits are part of your personal self-care routine, then MyFitnessPal is an excellent app to have in your arsenal. You can count your daily calorie intake using the in-app menu, or track your exercise. MyFitnessPal keeps track of your weight, fitness, and more to help you reach your goals.
MyFitnessPal is available for both iOS and Android devices. It’s free to download and use, but to remove ads, you’ll need to upgrade to Premium for either $9.99 a month or $49.99 a year.
Grateful: A Gratitude Journal: Perfect Self-Care Journal for Showing Daily Gratitude
What We Like
The interface is easy to use and uncluttered.
The journal is prompt-based for easy recording.
What We Don’t Like
The free version only allows you to enter 15 entries.
Studies have shown that showing gratitude is a surefire way to improve your mental and emotional health. However, we’re often too busy to whip out a journal and pen. The Grateful gratitude journal is right on your phone, making it perfect for quick use. It offers daily prompts to help you record your thoughts and even allows you to take photos in the moment.
Grateful: A Gratitude Journal is free to download for iOS devices, but, to unlock unlimited journal entries, you’ll need to purchase the premium version for $4.99.
The quick conversations help you better understand your mood or situation.
You can see an overview of your various emotions over the course of time.
What We Don’t Like
The guided meditations can’t be accessed without going through the Youper Assistant.
Sometimes, you just need someone, or something, to talk to, right? The Youper AI Assistant helps you understand and record your emotions through in-app conversations. As you converse with Youper, the app will learn more about you and what makes you tick. Over time, you’ll be able to see what makes you feel certain emotions to help you better manage your emotional health.
Youper starts by asking you how you are. As you record your emotions and answer questions, Youper gives you options such as guided meditations and thought processing. Youper is free to download and use for both iOS and Android devices.
Day One Journal: Great Self-Care App for Journaling Your Way to Better Health
What We Like
You can use multiple journals for multiple things.
Day One allows you to write, take photos, and record moments all in one app.
What We Don’t Like
To use the multiple journal feature, you’ll need to upgrade.
Journaling is a vital habit, especially for self-care. The Day One Journal makes it easy by giving you everything you need in one app. Record your thoughts, ideas, goals, and aspirations with text or photos using the easy interface. Your data is also encrypted with end-to-end encryption inside of the app.
Take a few moments each day to record what makes you happy, what inspires you or what lights your fire using the Day One Journal. It’s free to download for both iOS and Android devices, but to unlock features such as multiple journals, you’ll need to purchase the premium version for $24.99 a year.
Pzizz: A Self Help App to Get Better and More Restful Sleep
What We Like
Separate settings for sleeping, napping, and focusing makes this app extremely easy to use.
What We Don’t Like
The subscription after the one-week free trial is pricey.
A critical part of self-care is ensuring you’re getting enough sleep. Pzizz helps you get the best sleep of your life thanks to in-app “dreamscapes,” or optimized mixes of music, voiceover, and sound effects. These dreamscapes change each night, helping to quiet your mind and wake up feeling refreshed.
This app also allows you to take power naps using the dreamscapes or focus on work using “focuscapes.” Hailed as a winning app by The Duke of York and J.K. Rowling, it’s known for causing blissful sleep.
Pzizz offers a free 7-day trial on both iOS and Android. However, after the trial, you can expect to pay $49.99 per year.
Daylio: A Self-Care App For Tracking Your Every Mood
What We Like
Daylio is a simple mood tracker that allows you to capture how you feel on a daily basis.
What We Don’t Like
The interface is a bit busy compared to other tracking apps on this list.
How do you feel in this very moment? Those who are focused on self-care often take note of their mood using a mood tracker. The Daylio mood tracking journal allows you to track your mood and what you’ve been up to with cute icons. You can also write journal entries each day to go with your moods.
Daylio is free to download for both iOS and Android devices, but for unlimited moods, a pin lock, advanced stats, and more, you’ll need to purchase the premium version for $5.99.
Aloe Bud: Your Companion for Tracking Your Self-Care Efforts
What We Like
The design of this app is by far the cutest and most original in this list.
What We Don’t Like
It’s not as user-friendly as the other apps in this list.
To make sure you’re taking ample time out of your day for self-care, Aloe Bud allows you to track your self-care methods. From hydrating to breathing to being around those you love, Aloe Bud ensures you do what makes you happy each and every day. Plus, the icons are enough to make you smile.
Aloe Bud is free to download for iOS. To download premium and custom reminders, you’ll need to purchase premium for $4.99.
Motivation Quotes: Best Self Motivation App to Stay Inspired Throughout the Day
What We Like
You can customize your own motivational quote themes.
Thousands of quotes in many different categories.
What We Don’t Like
The subscription price is hefty compared to other similar apps out there.
Everyone could use an ounce of extra motivation each day. The Motivation Quotes app delivers thousands of quotes from many different categories straight to your phone. You can change your theme, save the quotes for later, search based on how you’re feeling, and more.
Motivational Quotes is free to download for iOS and Android. However, to unlock all categories and complete access, you’ll need to purchase the premium version for either $35.99 annually or $59.99 for lifetime access.
Breathe+: Great Self Help App for Relaxing in Moments of Stress
What We Like
The visuals are totally relaxing, making it easy to breathe correctly to reduce stress.
What We Don’t Like
There are ads that pop-up randomly while you’re using the app.
Visualizing your breathing is a great way to relax in moments of stress. The Breathe+ app allows you to breathe with in-app visualizations, relaxing your mind and training your breath. You can create custom settings to breathe as long as you need. The visualizations are beautiful and calming to the eye.
Breathe+ is available for free on iOS, but to remove the in-app ads, you have to purchase premium for $1.99.
All businesses today are aware that a healthy workforce translates to a happier and more productive employee. Nearly a quarter of participants in SHRM’s latest benefits survey plan to increase their Health & Wellness benefits, whose percentage was higher than other categories such as professional and career development, flexible work schedules, retirement and family-friendly policies. One unusual offering, workstations that allow people to stand, soared to 44% from just 13% in 2013 when the data was first tracked.
Helping your employees strive towards physical, emotional, mental, and even spiritual well-being can lead to increased productivity and employee longevity. But how can you offer wellness programs that your employees will actually use and find beneficial? There’s no one size fits all solution, and the best way to get started is to invite employee input. Need some inspiration? Here are 5 employee wellness programs that might be the right fit for your company this coming year:
1. Online Wellness/Health Screening
Did you know many health nurses today pay their employees to take an online health risk assessment? Covered members receive a lump sum benefit payment once a year if they complete certain health-related activities (i.e. routine screenings, programs like smoking cessation and weight reduction, and more). Payment options range from $50 to $150. Empire Blue Cross, for example, pays up to $300 for this including a smoking cessation online questionnaire and flu vaccination.
2. Gym Reimbursements
You might not be able to build a gym at the office, but that doesn’t mean you can’t take advantage of your neighborhood businesses. Did you know most healthcare compare today to offer up to $400 annual gym reimbursement? Most include a $200 spousal gym reimbursement as well.
3. Start a Walking Group
This solution is easy, free, and can be employee-driven. Failing to take breaks leads to burnout and eventually employee resentment. Encourage employees to take frequent breaks, but not just to the break room for more artificial lighting and a caffeine boost. Rally eager employees to lead morning, lunch, and/or after-work walking groups. The fresh air is energizing, boosts creativity, and helps feed social wellness needs, too.
4. Create a Healthy Challenge That Isn’t Based on Numbers
Although some businesses have success with Biggest Loser-style in-office challenges, it can also trigger disordered eating. Instead of focusing on numbers, focus on more subjective goals—like how many consecutive days fresh, local fresh vegetables can be part of a lunch. Kicking off these challenges with a brief intro to the importance of a healthy diet for life can help employees re-think their choices.
5. Seek Help from Outside Resources
There are several organizations that employers can turn to for information, research, and guidance on wellness programs. Below are just a few for you to explore for helpful ideas on how to develop a culture of health in your organization.
HERO is a national non-profit dedicated to identifying and sharing best practices in the field of workplace health and well-being (HWB). Their mission is to improve the health and well-being of workers, their spouses, dependents, and retirees. Check out the wealth of information on their site, including research studies and a blog.
The Health Project is a tax-exempt not-for-profit corporation formed to bring about critical attitudinal and behavioral changes in addressing the health and well-being of Americans. The Health Project focuses on improving personal healthcare practices and supporting population health by reaching adults where they spend most of their waking hours: at work. Many organizations have adopted health promotion (wellness) programs that encourage good health habits and an improved understanding of how individual workers and their families can more effectively use health services.
Harvard Health Newsletters are free newsletters targeted to individuals with the purpose of providing educational information to help them invest in their own health or the health of their families.
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Contact us to learn more about how health and wellness benefits can help you attract and retain your top talent.
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