WELLNESS 2022: "Teamwork Makes the Dream Work" ESHCA Wellness Newsletter September 2022 The shareable link (printable) for this issue: https://conta.cc/3QjSddx For complete member services visit us at: www.eshca.org

Chronic Disease Management: Why does it matter?

September Edition: This month we continue our focus on Chronic Disease Management: June - High Blood Pressure July - Diabetes August - Cholesterol and Triglycerides September - Inflammatory Diseases Chronic Diseases are conditions that last 1 year or more and require ongoing medical attention or limit activities of daily living or both (CDC). Why is this important? Chronic diseases have the potential to turn into "high-cost" claims that affect health premiums and your quality of life. Chronic Disease Management and Education is an important step in controlling Health Premiums. 

Inflammatory Diseases: Specialty Prescription Drugs

What is inflammation? White Blood Cells respond to injury or illness, protecting the body from bacteria and viruses. Without inflammation, wounds would be lethal.

2 types of Inflammation: 1) Acute Inflammation (necessary and ideal) Short-term and precise to the affected area Symptoms: redness, swelling, heat, sometimes pain and loss of function Examples: cuts, sprains, illness (sore throat) 2) Chronic Inflammation (potentially causes health issues) Long-term, may have whole-body effects (see below). Also, called "Persistent, Low-Grade Inflammation" Produces a steady, low-level of inflammation throughout the body.

"Chronic Inflammation" can damage joints (arthritis), organs (heart, lungs, digestive tract), and skin (psoriasis). There are a variety of Chronic Diseases caused by Inflammation including: Cancer, Heart Disease, Stroke, Diabetes, Alzheimer's Disease Arthritis Rheumatoid, Psoriatic, Gouty (Higher numbers of WBC cause irritation, swelling, and the loss of cartilage over time). Asthma and COPD Autoimmune Diseases Triggers inflammation when there are no need, damaging healthy tissue. Multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, ulcerative colitis, celiac disease, type 1 diabetes, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, and the list goes on! Diet, Lifestyle, and Environment can "trigger" inflammation: 1) The Standard American Diet or SAD (how ironic) provides the "perfect storm", it is rich in foods that cause inflammation including: Sugar and high-fructose corn syrup, trans fats, vegetable and seed oils, processed carbohydrates, processed meats, and excessive alcohol 2) Lifestyle: Smoking and lack of activity 3) Environment: "On-Site Concerns" Silica, asbestos, paint fumes, and welding by-products Diagnoses: Discuss symptoms with your doctor (Annual Physical) Painful joints (morning stiffness), signs of inflammation, constant flu like symptoms, and depression. A blood test can determine chronic inflammation: a) c-reactive protein b) erythrocyte sedimentation rate Treatments: 1) Medications: ESHCA prescription spend on Inflammatory Diseases is significant Second in "Combined Medical and Specialty Prescription Drugs" category (2021) (slightly behind oncology) "Specialty Prescription Drugs" account for most of the cost. Specialty Prescription Drugs can cost 50x more than traditional drugs. Often administered as an injection or infusion. 2) Surgeries: Can be invasive, requiring significant treatment and recovery time. Examples: proctocolectomy (removal of the large intestine) and joint replacements (knees and hips). 3) Non-invasive: RICE Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation Exercise (including physical therapy and Stretch & Flex) Nutrition (see the $25 incentive challenge below) Do you have questions about the Prescription Drug Plan? Review the "Summary Plan Description" and/or contact Donna (ESHCA Health Benefit Administrator) 

$25 September Incentive Challenge: "Take Action" Against Inflammation!

60% of American adults suffer from a Chronic Disease, 40% of American Adults have two or more Chronic Diseases. Developing a healthy approach to nutrition is an important step in supporting a treatment plan. The Standard American Diet (SAD) is abundant in foods that cause Chronic Disease. More important is what SAD lacks, focusing on drinking water and incorporating 5 servings of produce (vegetables and fruits) each day is a good first step. Developing a good nutrition plan takes "practice", consider signing up for the ESHCA Fall Nutrition Challenge ($50 incentive), details will arrive via mail and e-mail over the next few weeks.

Premise: 80% of chronic disease can be managed or cured through lifestyle (nutrition, exercise, and smoking cessation). Take the challenge and "take action": 1) Read "The 13 Most Anti-Inflammatory Foods You Can Eat" (very short). 2) Fill in the "Inflammation and Nutrition Worksheet". 3) Return the Worksheet to me (Patrick) by and receive your $25 incentive! Email (good cell phone picture), mail, or fax. If you cannot print the worksheet, make up your own and send it in, I will take it! 4) All members of the household are encouraged to participate, however, only one incentive can be issued to each member-household with the exception that more than one employee-member lives in a household. Each member-household is limited to 6 incentives per year, if you participate in more than 6 newsletter challenges your company will be given additional participation points toward the "Golden Boot" award, recognizing the ESHCA Wellness Company of the Year!

Anti-Inflammatory Foods Inflammatory Foods

Special offer: Get your crew involved!!! Take the lead, be a "Wellness Champion". Encourage the members of your crew to participate, have a group discussion and develop strategies to be successful on the job (Tool Box Talk). Record all your names on one "Inflammation and Nutrition Worksheet" and send it in, each will receive the $25 incentive (note: ESHCA members only).

Preventative Services: Dental and Vision Coverage

ESHCA Dental Benefits Routine Oral Examinations (cleanings) twice per calendar year for each Participant. There is no time limit between appts Covered at 100% allowable rate Note: There is no "network" for dentists, any licensed dentist can be used. Review Dental Service Details as outlined in the Summary Plan Description Questions? Contact: Donna (ESHCA office) or MVP 800-480-5640 Use your MVP ID Card ESHCA Vision Benefits Davis Vision acts as the ESHCA Benefit Administrator: Eye Exams Covered at 100% Allowable Rate Ensure providers are "in-network", refer to: www.davisvision.com or contact Donna (ESHCA office) Information for Davis Vision is on the back of your MVP Insurance Card First 9-digits of your MVP number act as your Davis Vision ID number Review details as outlined in your Summary Plan Description Recommended use, every 1 to 2 years 

Note: Preventative appointments including the Annual Physical, Routine Dental Appointments, and Vision Exams reduce the risk of "High-Cost Claims". Poor oral hygiene correlates with Alzheimer's, heart disease, diabetes, and fetal health! Vision Exams are important in diagnosing and monitoring diabetes, brain tumors, high blood pressure, arthritis, multiple sclerosis, stroke, Parkinson's disease, and cancer.

The Wellness Program offers a number of incentive programs encouraging, motivating, and rewarding you to "practice" a healthy lifestyle. Check out the 2022 Wellness Incentive Program: www.eshca.org/wellness-incentives-2021