WELLNESS 2021: "Take Action"
ESHCA Wellness Newsletter
April 2021
The shareable link (printable) for this issue: https://conta.cc/324f6Lz
For complete member services visit us at: www.eshca.org
2021 Health Benefits
April's 1-2-3's

  • 1) Questions regarding health benefits, should be directed to Donna in the ESHCA office.
  • Phone (315-895-5303) or email (dcarney@eshca.org)
  • Note: it is beneficial to hold onto the "Explanation of Benefits" for the year. The EOB comes in the mail, from MVP, shortly after a doctor's appointment. It can be identified by the statement, "THIS IS NOT A BILL", written across the top.

  • 2) COVID-19 Vaccines ($0 copay):
  • There is no cost to you to receive the vaccine. You may be asked for your health insurance card when you register; the insurance is charged for the administration of the shot while the government covers the cost of the vaccine.

  • 3) Colonoscopy ($0 copay):
  • For those 50 years and above (younger if you have a family history) a colonoscopy is a recommended preventative appointment ($0 copay). If you are staying current with your annual physical, your PCP should be advising you on when to complete this, however, analysis of our health benefits demonstrates this preventative appointment ($0 copay) is underused.
"Take Action": Fix a Racing Heart

Symptoms of "Stress & Depression"? Mentally, symptoms may be associated with feelings of being "Downhearted or Sad"; "Angry or Hostile"; and "Nervous or Uptight". These "feelings" can also be associated with potentially dangerous physical symptoms of stress such as a "Fluttering or Racing Heart". Attached is a recent article from the Cleveland Clinic on steps to avoid heart flutters and calm a racing heart.


Summary, getting "quality" sleep, drinking adequate amounts of water (coffee in moderation), limiting sugar, and not "biting off more that you can chew" can be beneficial in reducing the harmful effects of stress.

Financial Wellness

  • Click and review, you are never too young to start planning.

$25 April Incentive Challenge...Record Your Aerobic Exercise!

Research: Walking after meals lowers blood glucose!
(33% of Americans have Pre-Diabetes or Diabetes)

  • 15 minutes of walking after each meal lowered blood glucose numbers 145% in diabetics (2012).
  • Dinner can raise blood sugar significantly over the following 24 hours, the post dinner walk was deemed most beneficial.

What is an aerobic exercise?
  • Brisk walking (outside or on a treadmill), jogging, swimming, rowing, cycling
  • American Heart Association recommends 150-minutes of aerobic exercise per week, however, as this study demonstrates even shorter bouts can provide significant health results!

Lack time and resources? Try the following:
  • Walk up and down the stairs (my personal favorite)
  • Walk or jog in place
  • Walk (with high knees) or jog in place while watching TV for 10-15 minutes.

How to receive the incentive?
  • Complete 12 aerobic workouts in the month of April (10+ consecutive minutes in duration).
  • Download and record on the Aerobic Conditioning Log (click and print).
  • Upon completion of 12 workouts (12 separate days) email (cell phone picture works), mail or fax me a copy.
  • If you prefer, the "Log" also allows you to record your daily steps as measured on a pedometer (most cellphones have an app). The recommended number of steps per day is 10,000, however, the goal would be to track it and try to improve on your daily average.
  • If you are unable to print, make your own log, I will take it!
  • Please return by 5/14/20.
  • Every member of the household is encouraged to participate but only 1 incentive card can be issued to each member-household with the exception that more than one employee-member lives in the household. Let me know if you have questions.

Also, combine better nutrition with your exercise program to improve your glucose numbers:

In case you missed it...take advantage of the incentives that have been offered thus far in 2021:

  • 1) Fill out your General Health Assessment ($25) - available to the member and member-spouse
  • 2) Register for MyVisitNow ($25)
  • Email me a screenshot of the confirmation page, if that does not work let me know and I will confirm with MVP.
  • 3) Text Notification System ($25)
  • Email me your cell phone number to receive text notifications for the quarterly online newsletter (March, June, September, December) and to be notified of emergency changes to the health benefits.