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SOLUTIONS
Providing Solutions to Minimize Risks
FEBRUARY 2010 • VOLUME 14 • ISSUE 2
A Life-saving
Issue of Solutions
A
s you read the various articles in this assisting you in helping your employees
issue I’m urging you to take each piece and dependents.
very seriously, including the recipe Faith Blair and the Personal Risk Services
Inspiration for “Chocolate Marshmallow Bark.” This Department provide a reminder of both
"For whoever wants to may seem a bit of a stretch, but it did come corporate and individual responsibility to
from Weight Watchers, and we all need some plan ahead for the needs of our workers
save his life will lose it,
sweetness in moderation. and families at the time of death. The
but whoever loses his Ellen Eldridge’s article provides vital various programs available are specifically
life for me will find it." information on the new programs included designed to meet the church worker’s needs.
Matthew 16:25 in the North American Division Health Rates negotiated with the carrier are very
Care Assistance Plan (NAD HCAP) and preferential and offer a number of options
how those programs will save lives and from which to choose. Please carefully review
health care benefit costs. Over the past five the information provided and analyze your
years, the church saved approximately $150 organization’s current program in light of the
Motivation million in health care benefit costs through services and products available.
"Christ does not save us discounting opportunities. However, unless Jina Kim, ARM’s Wellness Coordinator,
by acting a parable of all HCAP users are willing to take the next has again provided valuable information for
divine love; he acts the step through more personal involvement your organization, and your employees and
parable of divine love in managing their health care benefits, the dependents. Each of us has the capacity,
by saving us. That is church will again see unnecessary cost through the power of God’s Spirit in our lives,
increases. These increases would to make those changes necessary to live a long
the Christian faith."
remove those dollars from the and productive life of service.
Austin Farrer
church’s various core I was on a recent trip to Orlando, Florida
mission programs. and visited Florida Hospital. The Florida
We all need Hospital family this year celebrates its 100th
to become much anniversary with the theme that says, “What
more involved in will you do when you are 100?” By utilizing
managing our health the services now available through the HCAP,
care benefits. The especially the “Connections” and “Preventive
days have passed for Screening” programs, along with a proactive
employees to take this approach to lifestyle, more of us could be
benefit for granted. ARM’s asking ourselves that same question. ■
Health Benefit Services Byron L. Scheuneman, vice president for Adventist Risk
Department is dedicated to Management, Inc.
Member Safety or
Cost Control
YOU be the judge...
L
et’s put aside the concerns that are so prominent right now dependents make sense of the health care system, their specific
in the news on the rising cost of health care, the debates health care or medical concerns, and how best to utilize
in process on the hill, and what Health Care Reform resources available to them.
might look like. For the next few minutes, let’s concentrate on Daily, we are all faced with decisions that affect our health.
a different angle of health care, “Member Safety” specifically, Some of them, such as diet and exercise choices are so small we
member safety as it applies to your employees and their may not even be aware of them or recognize them as significant.
dependents who are members of the NAD HCAP. Others such as medical tests, procedures, or surgery, may be
Beginning with the January 1, 2010 Plan benefit year, more complicated.
a new product has been put in place called “Connections” Members can now turn to a health coach who is available
Health Management Programs. This is an extension of our 24/7 to help them make informed health care decisions –
contract with Independence Blue Cross. It is a program whether they are facing a significant medical decision or they
available to help your employees and their have an everyday health concern.
There are three main focuses of the "Connections" Health
Management Program. First, Disease Management is a support
system for people with chronic and complex conditions such as
diabetes, coronary artery disease, asthma or hypertension. The
Disease Management health coaches want to help the member
learn self-care skills to manage their condition as well as help
them to understand both their physician’s recommended
treatment plan, and the importance of adhering to the
treatment plan.
Secondly, Decision Support is the health
coach supporting the member through education
and helping them better understand the
circumstances surrounding their medical concern.
This support system can help the member through
the steps of confusion, fear and uncertainty
to an understanding of their disease, illness or
injury. Education enables the member to have a more
productive conversation with their physician. As a more
informed patient, they will know what questions to ask
and have a better understanding of the answers being given
by their doctor: Is knee surgery right for me? Why or why not?
What are my alternatives?
Chronic conditions account for over 60% of health care
expenditures. These conditions will most often involve not
only a medical provider and a medical treatment plan, but also
a prescription, pharmacist and a drug-therapy. Members taking
a medication to treat a chronic or complex condition such as
diabetes, heart condition, high blood pressure, high cholesterol,
As a retiree, any amount in force may be continued with the rates remaining the same as when you Illustrator
John J. Dougan
were actively employed.
Communication Assistant
What’s more, our current plan also offers several special options. The generous “living benefit
Junica Voilquin
option,” for instance, allows terminally ill employees or dependents to accelerate and receive in
advance, as much as 80 percent of their life insurance benefits up to $500,000. This can help ease
some of the financial and emotional burdens at a time when they may need it most. Solutions (ISSN 1528-7076) is
Take care of your family, just as you planned. published monthly by Adventist
Risk Management, Inc.,
Protect your family’s future — today and in the years ahead.
12501 Old Columbia Pike,
Open Enrollment for the Harford Supplemental life coverage is March 1 through April 15 Silver Spring, MD 20904-6600;
with a June 1, 2010 effective date! phone: 301-680-6930;
Please take the time to provide your employees with their current coverage amounts so they fax: 301-680-6828; e-mail:
can select the right amount of coverage during this year’s enrollment. ■ armcorpcomm@adventistrisk.org;
Web site: www.adventistrisk.org.
This information in this article is from the Hartford Group Benefits Division and provided by Faith Blair, director of Personal Risk
Services for Adventist Risk Management, Inc. For subscription changes
please send an e-mail to:
Risky Business
armcorpcomm@adventistrisk.org
By John J. Dougan, ARM, ALCM
Back issues are available while
supplies last. We also welcome
your comments and suggestions.
Address all correspondence and
inquiries to ARM’s Corporate
Communication department.
T
adrenalin, and insulin. Cortisol
here is a strong link between yy One study found that subjects with causes insulin levels to increase.
abdominal fat and increased the highest ratio of trunk versus High cortisol and high insulin
peripheral fat (excessive abdominal levels can cause weight gain, usually
health risks. Fat cells of
fat) were found to be one and a half around the abdomen.
abdominal tissue are especially active times more likely to have a stroke yy Diet and exercise have been found to
metabolically and are therefore, compared with subjects with the
especially dangerous. lower levels of insulin, more so than
lowest ratio. diet alone. Those who exercise tend
Research yy According to a study at the to lose more visceral fat and maintain
According to the National Heart, University of Southern California, muscle better than those using
Lung, and Blood Institute, the risk of abdominal fat may alter glucose strictly a diet approach.
serious health problems increases with a metabolism. Fatty acids from yy Substituting a modest amount of
waist measurement of over 40 inches in the abdomen overstimulate the protein for carbohydrate may reduce
men and over 35 inches in women. production of glucose in the liver abdominal obesity. A slight dietary
yy Abdominal fat produces hormones that insulin can’t properly suppress. adjustment away from carbohydrates
and messenger substances (especially simple carbs from refined
This causes a higher risk of diabetes
(adipokines) that greatly contribute food products) may help with
to the development of hypertension and heart disease. High insulin
middle-age spread.
and metabolic disorders. levels also promote the growth of yy Eliminate junk food which is high
yy People with large waistlines often cancer cells. in sugars and fats. Give up non-
have a high amount of fat around yy Visceral fat in the abdomen is directly diet sodas that are sweetened with
associated with a higher risk of high-fructose corn syrup. Research
the abdominal organs. This makes
mortality in men. suggests that fructose may encourage
them more prone to heart disease, Findings from a study by Queen’s
high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes, weight gain and that it alters the
University underline the importance body’s ability to sense that it is full.
and high cholesterol. According to of measuring abdominal fat to predict yy According to one study, moderate
a study at Harvard University, men the risk of future disease and mortality. exercise - walking for about three
with larger waist circumferences are The researchers recommend that waist hours a week - was enough to prevent
at a higher risk of gallstones. measurement be routine in clinical practice. fat gain. Also, it is in line with health
officials’ advice for all adults to fit in
30 minutes of moderate activity on
most or all days. ■
Jina Kim, MPH, Wellness director for Adventist Risk
Management, Inc. prepared this article
Sources: Reuters, MSNBC, Science Daily, Tufts
Health & Nutrition Letter, Men’s Fitness, The
Healthier Life, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research
Center, WebMD Weight Loss Clinic Feature Article,
International Symposium at the MDC (Center
for Molecular Medicine - Berlin/Boch), and
Washington and Shady Grove Adventist Hospitals.
TRY THIS
RECIPE OUT!
Chocolate Marshmallow Ingredient List chocolate mixture into prepared pan using a
spatula. Smooth into a somewhat even layer.
8 ounces bittersweet chocolate, finest
Bark quality recommended
Refrigerate until chocolate sets, at least 1 hour.
Keep refrigerated until ready to eat. Cut into
2 teaspoons butter
from Weight Watchers® 12 pieces and serve. Yields 1 piece per serving.
3 cups kosher mini marshmallows
This basic recipe is very versatile. Add your
Directions own favorite ingredients like nuts, dried fruit,
crispy cereal, crisp crumbled cookies or even
Line a 9- X 9-inch pan with heavy-duty
fresh fruit. If you use fresh fruit, the bark must
aluminum foil.
be refrigerated and eaten the day it is made.
In a double boiler, melt chocolate and butter Fresh strawberries, blueberries and pineapple
over medium heat, stirring occasionally, are all excellent options.
until thoroughly combined. Remove from
heat and stir in marshmallows. Scrape
SupplementAL
LIFE INSURANCE
March 1, 2010 through April 15, 2010
This is an opportunity for employees to elect supplemental life
insurance with a guaranteed issue amount of up to 3x's salary...
without medical underwriting!