A Health Newsletter Serving the North Coast Schools Medical Insurance Group
Vol. 26, No. 7 | July 2018

In this Issue: Director’s Note | Parks Month | Beating the Heat | Recipe: Asparagus-Mushroom Mini Lasagnas

Director’s Note

Stacy Lane, JPA Director

If you changed plans or added dependents during Open Enrollment, these changes will be effective on July 1st.  While our insurance carriers have made every effort to make sure you receive your new ID cards before July 1st, inevitably, some of you will not have them by that date.  In the past, I have heard from members that they thought they couldn’t use their plan until they had their ID cards in hand.  This is not the case.  You are free to use your plan at any time.

Don’t worry….all of our carriers currently have your correct eligibility and coverage information in their system.  If you have not received your new ID cards in the mail before July 1st, there are several options available to you:

• Your provider can call the carrier directly to verify benefits information.
• You can call the carrier directly and ask for your billing information.  For example, for CVS pharmacy claims, ask for your ID, Group, BIN and PCN numbers.  These are what the pharmacy technician will need in order to process your claim at the point of sale.  The same process holds true for Blue Shield and Guardian.  Remember, VSP does not issue ID cards.  Please give your provider your social security number and they can see your benefits directly in VSP’s system.
• You can log into your online carrier account and print out a temporary ID card.  If you haven’t already signed up for an online account with our carriers, please make sure you do.  You can look at claims statements, find providers, and much more.

If you have any questions regarding billing, coverage or eligibility, please contact the carrier at the number listed on the back of your current ID card.  Carrier contact information can also be found on our website at:  www.ncsmig.org/contacts

Please note that our summer hours are Monday – Thursday, 8am – 5pm.  We will be closed on Fridays.

Park and Recreation Month

Getting outside and enjoying the great outdoors is something most everyone loves. It simply makes people happy. Who doesn’t love breathing clean, fresh air, hearing the serene sounds of nature, and walking on a soft trail padded with pine needles? And who doesn’t need a break from technology?  Here are some benefits of spending time in the outdoors.

It makes you happy

Breathing good, fresh air and taking part in an outdoor adventure – no matter how big or small – will definitely put a smile on your face that you can feel throughout your whole body. Plus the opportunity to enjoy it with good friends and loved ones is an added bonus that brings happiness that grows.

Getting out of the confines of indoors and breaking out into nature affords unlimited opportunities to create fun memories – from a family hike in the woods or mountain biking along a creek to spending a quality morning fishing. It all adds up to your enjoyment and fulfillment, which brings genuine quality to your life. We all know how fast life can be, so it’s never too soon or too late to create happy memories that you will cherish and share forever.

2) It makes you healthy

Getting outside means getting into natural light, which means increasing our natural Vitamin D intake. This essential nutrient can help prevent cancer, heart attacks, obesity, diabetes, and inflammation, strengthen our immune systems and bones, and fight osteoporosis and depression.

Other health benefits of being outdoors:

• Improving quality of sleep
• Improving minds, increasing our focus and concentration, and reducing mental stress
• Reducing pain and stress following injury when exposed to natural light
• Improving vision by forcing eyes to adjust to different depths and colors
• Increasing energy

3) Take a break from technology

When we’re indoors, we’re usually tied to some form of technology.  While being “always connected” has its benefits, it also increases our stress level, shortens our attention span, and creates a heightened level of chaos that we all experience daily.  Technology is generally related to being sedentary, or inactive physically. We sit in front of computers, hold still while texting, and sink back in a sofa when watching TV. But getting outside and away from technology forces us to do actual physical things, like move, stand, walk, run, and exercise, which translates into healthier, more fulfilling lives.

4) A fun way to spend quality time with family and friends

When we’re outside, we’re generally more comfortable spending this time with good friends, family members, or groups, which enriches our lives through social interaction.

Source: http://www.unioncreekoregon.com/8-reasons-to-get-outside-and-enjoy-nature

Find a park: State Parks | National Parks

When to Stay Out of the Sun

Avoid peak hours of sunlight when the temperatures and UV rays are at their highest, normally between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. That’s the best time to head inside, get food and water, let your body cool down, and maybe even take a nap.  When heat and humidity are at their highest, it’s never a bad time to take a break. Water sports are especially tricky because you can easily become overheated without realizing it. When in doubt, take a breather.

Here’s how to stay hydrated:

Water

Don’t wait until you’re thirsty! Drink water throughout the day to prevent dehydration or over exhaustion. Use the color of your urine to guide if you’re hydrated enough — the clearer the better.

Juice

All natural juice without added sugar not only provides hydration but also important nutrients to keep you active in hot weather. Check the label on the juice bottle and make sure it says “100 percent juice with no sugar added.”

Avoid Alcohol and Caffeine

While an ice cold cocktail — complete with a little paper umbrella — might sound good on the beach, it won’t be as refreshing to your body. That’s because alcohol only dehydrates you more. If you can’t barbecue without a brew, drink a bottle of water between each alcoholic beverage to stay hydrated.

Like alcohol, caffeine sucks the moisture out of you. On hot days, avoid it as much as possible, especially when combined with alcohol.

Sunscreen

Nothing knocks good days off a summer calendar like a nasty sunburn. When outdoors, use sunscreen with an SPF rating of at least 15. Use a higher-rated, waterproof sunscreen if you’ll be poolside or out on the beach. Don’t forget to cover areas that burn easily: nose, ears, shoulders, and back of the neck.

Lip Balm

Just like sunscreen protects the rest of your skin, a lip balm with SPF protection blocks out the sun and keeps in moisture for your lips. Perfect for a day on the lake or while you’re working on that summer romance.

Sunglasses

Sunglasses are chic and functional. They prevent harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays from scorching your corneas and protect your eyes for many more summers to come. Choose sunglasses that block 90 to 100 percent of UV rays.

https://www.healthline.com/health/summer-health/beat-the-heat#1