May 2015

Monthly Webinar • Tuesday, May 19th

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Wellness, assistance and work/life support for the whole family

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Real People, Real Stories

Get Rid of Financial Woes!Have poor spending habits gotten you into financial trouble, causing anxiety? For Carol, the strain of mounting bills was ruining her sleep and concentration at work. Wanting to take the reins, she reached out to her EAP+Work/Life program for help. “They arranged free phone sessions with a financial consultant who suggested ways to pay down my debt and go on a ‘money diet.’” Carol got rid of her credit cards, stopped impulse buying, and found cheaper ways to socialize with friends like taking walks rather than dining at pricey restaurants. She also got help from her Licensed Professional Counselor to handle her anxiety. “I can now see the light at the end of the tunnel and feel more in control.”

Debt can harm your well-being! Call us for help.

We Offer SupportKeeping mentally fit is a lot like staying physically fit—it requires establishing everyday lifestyle habits that can help you function at your very best. In this issue, we highlight simple actions that can help preserve your mental health, including addressing financial debt—a major source of emotional anguish for many people. You will also learn about when to seek professional help for mental distress and how our experts can help you with anxiety, depression and other mental health issues.

Not stressing about healthcare problems like an unpaid medical bill is also important, and you will see how we can help address denied claims and guide you with exercise and dietary changes to keep you physically and mentally fit.

Read on to find out how…

A Licensed Professional Counselor can guide you withcoping skills to maintain positive moods and help manage anxiety and depression.

A Work/Life Specialist can locate financial consultants andother helpful resources.

The EAP+Work/Life website provides articles aboutdepression, anxiety, emotional well-being and more.

A Personal Health Advocate can help address errors onmedical bills.

A Wellness Coach can help you kick your fitness habits intohigh gear this spring!

Maintain YourMental Health

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De-clutter your environmentMessiness can make you feel anxious. Designate spaces for frequently used items and stow them there after each use. Donate, recycle or discard any unused items.

Practice mindfulnessSitting quietly, focusing on each breath, helps keep your mind from drifting into endless worrying.

Take breaks, preferably in natureEven a small dose of sunshine helps boost mood-lifting serotonin levels.

Stay connectedEspecially when things aren’t going right, arrange to meet up with a friend!

Your EAP+Work/Life program offers ways to stay mentally healthy.

How to Keep Mentally Healthy Follow These Habits

In addition to getting proper sleep and exercise, here are everyday habits that can help foster a positive sense of well-being:

Is It More than the Blues? Know the Signs of Depression

It’s normal to feel down from time to time. But if sadness lingers, you may have depression—a condition that can be treated, usually with therapy and/or medications. The earlier you get help, the better. Here are signs to watch for:

• Persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness and pessimism

• An unexplained loss of appetite, or compulsive overeating

• Sleeping too little or too much

• Continuing restlessness and irritability

• Loss of interest in activities that you once enjoyed

• Difficulty with concentrating, remembering and decision-making

Remember, you can always call your EAP Licensed Professional Counselor for free and confidential support 24/7.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month Just not feeling like yourself? Mental health problems are common and most are resolved with help. Don’t hesitate to call us.

Health AdvocacyYour Personal Health Advocate can help untangle medical bills, find qualified doctors, locate eldercare services and much more.

EAP+Work/Life ProgramTalk to a Licensed Professional Counselor to learn coping skills. You may be referred to the appropriate professional for in-depth, long-term help.

Use self-search provider databases, get 4,000 updated and authoritative articles, view video clips, attend monthly online seminars and more.

Wellness CoachingYour personal Wellness Coach can help you lose weight, eat better or reach other health goals.

Benefits GatewayBenefits experts can quickly guide you to the benefit you need, including medical, dental and pharmacy.

Just call 866.799.2691

Your All-in-1 Benefit

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Log your exercise!

Track Progress on YourWellness WebsiteTo stay healthy, most adults need 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise and two days of muscle-strengthening activities each week. Logging your exercise can help you to notice areas for improvement and be proud of the progress you’ve made. We make it easy to track your exercise—you can log it right on your Wellness website! Plus, if you have a Fitbit device, you can sync your Fitbit with the online exercise tracker! Log on to your member website to get started!

Website Spotlight

Wellness Workshop: WalkingOne simple way to fit more exercise into your day is by walking more. Visit your Wellness website to take the Walking Workshop, which can help you begin a regular walking routine.

Remember, your Health Advocate Wellness website features a variety of resources to help you improve your health and well-being. Log on today to explore all our expert resources!

HealthAdvocate.com/members

Healthy Springtime EatsEat Seasonally and LocallyNew findings suggest a correlation between fruits and vegetable consumption and mental health. It’s a wonderful time of year to stock up on fresh, tasty seasonal produce. Try these tips:

• Visit your local farmer’s market. You’ll find avariety of fresh, locally-grown fruits and vegetables.

• No farmer’s market nearby? You can buyseasonal produce at your local grocery store instead.

• If you’re unable to buy fresh fruits andvegetables, go for the frozen—rather than canned—version. Frozen produce will keep and is chock full of nutrients.

Call your Wellness Coach for more healthy foods to enjoy this spring!

Ask the Wellness Coach What are some ways I can fit in more exercise?Even modest exercise routines are associated with improved mood, studies show.Spring is the perfect time to kick your fitness habits into gear. Take advantage of the warm weather and bring outdoor workouts back into your routine!

• Work out at work. Walking during your lunch break or having awalking meeting can help you fit a little exercise into your day. Walking helps you manage stress and be physically active. Invite a co-worker to join you!

• Not a fan of gyms? Try spending some time outdoors byriding your bike or going on a hike.

• Have fun in the sun with your friends! Get together withfriends and play a sport like basketball. Try volleyball if you have a beach nearby, or soccer if a field is close. Want an activity that’s more low-key? Hike the park trails or toss a Frisbee®.

Your Wellness Coach is a great source of ideas to help you get moving this spring. Call today for personalized, one-on-one guidance!

Get started at:

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Unexpected Medical Bill?We’ll Look Into It!Unsure why your claim was denied? Our experts will check your bill for errors and work with your providers and health plan to get it reprocessed correctly for payment. We will look for…

Duplicate billing. For example, a medication may have been billed when it was prescribed and again when it was administered.

Incorrect coding. The treatment or procedure code may not match

the diagnosis code.

Lack of preauthorization. If your doctor ordered your MRI, for example, we can work with him or her to obtain the proper authorization to get the claim paid.

Data entry errors. We’ll check that your current health policy was entered correctly and look for typos.

Questions? Your Personal Health Advocate can help sort out your medical bills.

Your EAP+Work/Life Website is Available 24/7 Access Online Help and Resources, Anytime

Your Health Advocate EAP+Work/Life website is packed with important information to help you with personal, family and work issues and better balance your life! Here’s what you’ll find:

Orientation video of the many ways we can help

Locators for childcare, summer camps, in-home agencies, pet care, education,older adults, volunteer opportunities

Authoritative articles on emotional well-being, relationships, financial guidance, legalconcerns, health issues, working and personal growth

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