Banish Holiday Weight Gain:

The holidays are full of hearty meals, sweet treats and fat-laden snacks – which quickly add up to extra pounds. Navigate holiday eating with these tips:

• Enjoy your favorite foods, just be mindful of your portion sizes. Depriving yourself just makes you more likely to binge later.
• When possible, choose a smaller plate to help control portions.
• Wait 20 minutes before getting seconds, to give your body time to signal if you are full.
• Don’t feel obligated to eat everything offered to you, or to clean your plate.
• If you have leftovers, freeze them for another time rather than indulging again for breakfast.
• Eat plenty of vegetables throughout the season to help you feel fuller and control your appetite.
• Eat a small, healthy snack before each get-together. If you starve yourself all day, you’ll eat even more of the unhealthy food.
• When going to a party, bring a nutritious dish with you, such as nuts, veggies or even a healthier dessert alternative (such as the Peach Apple Crisp on page two).
• Eat slower and take time to enjoy your food. Try eating with your non-dominant hand or setting your fork down between bites.
• Go easy on gravy, sauce and dressing.
• Reduce or eliminate your alcohol intake to save a lot of calories.
• Focus on the people and activities at the party, rather than the food.
• When baking, use low- or non-fat dairy. Swap sour cream for plain yogurt, for example, and always choose fat-free milk.
• Buy lean cuts of meat whenever possible. When eating poultry, opt for white meat over dark meat.
• Don’t forget to be active! Try to fit some extra activity in to counteract the extra calories this time of year.

Outsmart the Flu:

Looking forward to your annual bout of feeling miserable and being forced to miss work? This year, avoid the flu:

• Get the flu vaccine and encourage others to do the same. It’s the most important step to prevent the flu.
• Try to avoid touching your face – germs are easily spread this way.
• Wash your hands thoroughly and often.
• Avoid contact with sick people when possible. Encourage those with the flu to cover their nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing.
• Teach your kids these good habits.

DID YOU KNOW…

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that everyone over the age of 6 months get a flu vaccine each year, even if you got vaccinated last year. It’s not too late in the season to get vaccinated! The small discomfort and/or inconvenience of a flu vaccine will be worth avoiding several days stuck in bed with the flu.

Don’t Fall Into a Winter Workout Slump:

This time of year is full of excuses not to work out: it’s too cold outside, you can’t afford a gym membership, there’s no time… Sound familiar? Try out these at-home workout tips to kick-start your motivation and avoid a workout slump.

• One of the easiest ways to work out at home is with a fitness DVD. Pick from cardio, kickboxing, yoga, Pilates and countless other options for a guided, cheap home workout.
• Make use of your stairs. Turn on some tunes and create a lively stepping workout using just one step, or walk or jog up and down for a more vigorous routine.
• Invest in some inexpensive equipment such as a jump rope, hand weights and an exercise ball.
• Do some chores. Clean the house yourself rather than having a maid service (or your children) do it. Shovel snow instead of using a snow blower or snow plow.
• Create a schedule, such as first-thing every morning – and stick to it. Work out with a buddy for more accountability.
• Take advantage of the weather! Go skiing, ice skating or just play in the snow with friends or family.

Shop Smarter This Season:

Do the holidays have you stressing about your budget? Here are some shopping tips to get the most for your money:

• Create a holiday budget and stick to it. Remember to include gift wrap, cards, entertaining expenses, decorations and postage along with gifts.
• If you want to buy a gift beyond your means, ask a family member to chip in with you rather than break your budget.
• Don’t just go to one store for the item you want. Check sale ads, look for coupons and compare prices online first.
• Considering purchasing online – you often can find much better prices. Group purchases to save on shipping costs.
• When possible, use coupons in conjunction with store deals to maximize your savings.
• Plan to pay off everything you buy in full, so you’re not stuck paying for this holiday season for months or longer.

After the holidays, consider opening a short-term savings account to start saving early and ease next year’s budget strain!

Peach-Apple Crisp:

20 oz. canned peaches in light syrup, drained

2 medium tart apples, peeled and sliced

½ tsp. vanilla

¼ tsp. ground cinnamon

¾ cup + 3 tbsp. flour

¼ cup brown sugar, packed

3 tbsp. soft tub margarine

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly grease 9x9x2 inch dish. Combine peaches, apples, vanilla and cinnamon in a bowl. Toss well and spread evenly in dish. Combine flour and sugar in small bowl. Cut in margarine until the mixture is coarse. Sprinkle flour mixture evenly over fruit. Bake until lightly browned and bubbly, about 20 minutes. Source: www.health.gov.

Yield: 4 servings. In each serving: Calories – 175; Total fat – 5g; Saturated fat – 1g; Cholesterol – 0mg; Sodium – 57mg.

This brochure is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. For further information, please consult a medical professional.

© 2011 Zywave, Inc.  All rights reserved.

DID YOU KNOW…

The U.S. Supreme Court has announced that it will review the health care reform law during its 2012 term, to ultimately decide whether or not the law is constitutional.

This announcement comes after four U.S. Courts of Appeals have reviewed the law and returned differing rulings.

The Supreme Court is expected to issue its decision by June 2012.

Trends in Employee Benefit Offerings:

Offering a benefits package that balances cost and value, particularly in this uncertain economic and legislative time, is a perennial challenge. The results from a recent Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) survey reflect this complex atmosphere.

Highlights of the 2011 SHRM Employee Benefits Survey include the following.

• There was a slight increase in companies offering health premium discounts for employees who took a health risk assessment, did not use tobacco products or participated in a wellness program.
• Retirement plans continue to trend toward defined contribution, rather than defined benefit, plans.
• Paid time off (PTO) plans continue to grow in popularity.
  • Many benefits have declined considerably over the past five years, including educational assistance and financial programs, housing and relocation benefits, club memberships, legal services and travel planning services.

  The survey also identifies strategies employers can adopt to remain competitive with their benefit offerings.

  • Stay on top of legislative changes, particularly health care reform, and their impact to your business.
  • Review your benefits program regularly, using benchmark data and employee surveys to evaluate.
  • Ensure effective employee communication, to help employees understand, appreciate and properly use their benefits. Offer total compensation statements.
  • Implement flexible work policies such as paid leave and flex time.

Is Your Company Ready for Flu Season?

Annual flu season can have a significant impact on your company. Preparation is key, both for traditional flu season and the possibility of a pandemic situation.

1. Develop an emergency action plan to protect your employees and minimize business interruption in the event of an outbreak – you may face mass absenteeism and other challenges or disruption.
2. Review policies and procedures, such as employee communication, telecommuting, leave and travel policies.
3. Educate employees about the flu, emphasizing prevention tactics and common sense hygiene like regular hand washing. Encourage employees to get a flu vaccine and consider providing onsite vaccination for easier access. Remind employees to stay home when sick.

Benefits and HR tips brought to you by the insurance professionals at Benefit Logic

© 2011 Zywave, Inc. All rights reserved

Brought to you by: Benefit Logic

DID YOU KNOW?

Improving your physical fitness is one of the best things to do for a sore back. Maintaining a healthy weight, improving flexibility and strengthening back, abdominal and leg muscles can help reduce and prevent back pain. Exercising may be difficult with back pain, so ask your doctor what type of exercises and stretches would be best for you.

The Time is Now: Quit Smoking for Good!

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in the United States, and represents one in every three cancer deaths, according to the Lung Cancer Alliance. November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month, making it a perfect time to shine a spotlight on the risk factor that causes about 87 percent of lung cancer cases: smoking cigarettes.

After you quit smoking, your body experiences positive changes within hours. Body function improves and health risks continue to decrease for several years. Ten years after quitting, your risk of dying from lung cancer is half that of a current smoker.

If the medical reasons aren’t enough motivation to quit, think of all the money you’ll save. A pack-a-day smoker could save over $200 a month – imagine all the ways you could spend that money.

And don’t forget to consider your loved ones. If you smoke in your home or car, you are endangering your family, friends and pets. Secondhand smoke can cause a variety of health conditions and diseases, and causes thousands of deaths each year in nonsmokers.

Ready to quit? Nov. 17 is the Great American Smokeout, a day when smokers around the country quit smoking together. This year, take the steps you need to stop smoking for good!

Start planning now. Mark the date on your calendar and tell family and friends of your plan to make sure you follow through. Tell your doctor about your plan to quit and consider using a prescription quit aid.

Prepare for the challenges you will face after quitting. You may need to change your routine or activities to avoid situations that worsen your cravings. Make a list of times you may feel tempted to smoke, and come up with coping methods. For instance, you may want to keep gum or healthy snacks handy to occupy your mouth.

For additional advice and support, visit www.cancer.org/Healthy/StayAwayfromTobacco/GuidetoQuittingSmoking/index.

Banish Back Pain

Feeling pain or soreness in your back? These tips can help you reduce your pain and prevent it in the future:

• When lifting, bend your knees, not your waist.
• Invest in a good mattress – it can make a world of difference in your pain level and your sleep quality.
• Sit up straight! Good posture reduces the strain on your back.
• Strive to reduce your stress level. Stress can increase tension in your body and cause back pain.
• Always warm up before doing a physical activity.

Eating Out? You Can Still Eat Healthy

Hectic schedules mean that convenience often trumps nutrition when it comes to meals. But if you choose wisely, eating out doesn’t have to bust your diet. Whether you’re grabbing fast food or sitting down at a restaurant, remember these tips:

• Choose water to drink instead of soda, juice or alcohol.
• Order your food without dressing or sauces, such as mayo, cheese and sour cream. Or, ask for the dressing on the side and use just a little.
• Watch out for words like deep-fried, pan-fried, batter-dipped, breaded, creamy, crispy and augratin – these dishes tend to have more calories.
• Choose leaner meats, such as chicken or turkey instead of beef. Substitute a side salad for fries, or ask for vegetables instead of potatoes. Opt for whole wheat for bread or pasta.
• Split a dinner portion with someone or ask the server to wrap up half of your meal right away – so you aren’t tempted to consume the giant portion served to you.
• Don’t add salt – restaurant food tends to already be high in sodium, especially fast food.

Is Your Family Protected?

It’s not pleasant to think about, but if you died unexpectedly, could your family cope financially without your income? Life insurance protects your loved ones in the event of your untimely death, but many people don’t realize its true value. Ask yourself:

• Are you the primary household income?
• Do you have a mortgage, college loans or other debt?
• How would your family support themselves if you died?
• Could you (or your family) afford tens of thousands of dollars in medical bills and/or funeral costs?
• Who would have the burden of paying any debt or other financial responsibilities that you leave behind?
• If you do have a policy, does it pay out enough to cover all of these financial responsibilities for your loved ones?

Whether you are young and single, middle-aged with a family or nearing retirement, having adequate life insurance is vital. Speak with a financial adviser about your needs and coverage options. You may think you can’t afford another monthly premium, but can your family afford it if you don’t?

Vinaigrette Salad Dressing

Salad is a healthy choice, but most dressings are loaded with calories – try this delicious dressing as a light alternative.

1 bulb garlic, separated and peeled

½ cup water

1 tbsp. red wine vinegar

¼ tsp. honey

1 tbsp. virgin olive oil

¼ tsp. black pepper

Place the garlic cloves in a small saucepan and pour water to cover them. Bring water to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer until garlic is tender (about 15 minutes). Reduce the liquid to two tablespoons and increase the heat for three minutes. Pour the contents into a small sieve over a bowl, and with a wooden spoon mash the garlic through the sieve into the bowl. Whisk the vinegar into the garlic mixture; incorporate the oil, honey and pepper. Yields 4 servings at 33 calories per serving.

Source: National Heart, Lung & Blood Institute

This brochure is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. For further information, please consult a medical professional. © 2011 Zywave, Inc.  All rights reserved.

DID YOU KNOW

The 11^th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals recently declared unconstitutional the “individual mandate” provision of health care reform, which requires people to buy health insurance. It held, however, that the rest of the law could stand.

This differed from a decision offered by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6^th Circuit, which declared the entire law constitutional. A third federal appeals court is also expected to review the case.

Many experts believe that this decision will prompt the U.S. Supreme Court to review the law, possibly after its current recess ends this fall.

Survey: 71 Percent of Employers to Conduct Passive Open Enrollment

In a recent survey by consulting firm HighRoads, 71 percent of respondents hold “passive” benefits enrollments (as opposed to “active”), allowing employees to automatically renew most of their plans.

Though this practice seems like less hassle for employees and benefit administrators alike, it can be risky. Employees may not be aware of plan changes or may not re-evaluate if their current coverage still fits their budget and health care needs.

Health care reform changes

This risk is especially concerning in the wake of health care reform, as many plans are changing coverage options and other significant details. Employees who roll over coverage passively may miss out on changes that could benefit them or be stuck paying more than they need to.

In light of these risks, and particularly if your plan features significant changes due to health care reform, you may want to consider conducting a solely “active” enrollment to protect employees and ensure they choose the best coverage possible.

Communication is paramount

Whether you practice passive or active enrollment, communicating plan changes and details to employees is vital, albeit challenging. Employees may be eligible for extended coverage or may face new limits, for example, and it is up to you to educate on these important changes. Look for ways to best reach your employees, which may mean communicating through multiple channels and methods. The clearer and more effective your employee communication is, the smoother your enrollment will go for all parties involved.

New Women Preventive Care Coverage Required

One provision of health care reform requires non-grandfathered plans to cover certain preventive care with no cost to the patient. Recently, HHS expanded the preventive coverage guidelines to include additional women care, including:

• Annual well-woman visit
• Gestational diabetes screening for women 24-38 weeks pregnant
• Human papillomavirus (HPV) testing for women age 30 and older
• HIV counseling and screening
• Sexually transmitted infection counseling
• Breastfeeding support, supplies and counseling
• Domestic violence screening and counseling

These services must be covered in all non-grandfathered plans starting on or after Aug. 1, 2012.

© 2011 Zywave, Inc. All rights reserved

June is Home Safety Month and it’s the perfect time for you to make sure your home is as safe as possible for you and your family. The Home Safety Council provides the following tips to help you avoid various hazards in your home:

1. Put a non-slip mat in your shower.
2. Keep stairs clear of clutter and ensure proper lighting at the top and bottom. Use safety gates if you have young children.
3. Make sure you have sturdy handrails on all stairs (indoors and outdoors).
4. Wipe up spills when they happen.
5. Keep the Poison Control phone number (1-800-222-1222) by each telephone and programmed into your cell phone.
6. Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors and regularly check the batteries.
7. Read labels of all products you use in your home. Any that say “caution,” “warning” or something similar should be stored away from children, either locked up or on a high shelf.
8. Keep all medications out of reach of children. Make sure they are not in purses, pockets or drawers where children could easily access.
9. Keep original label on all medication and cleaning supplies.
10. Always stay by the stove or grill when cooking.
11. Keep grills at least 10 feet away from your house, garage and any trees or bushes. Keep children and pets away.
12. Only light candles when an adult is in the room, and never leave candles burning unattended.
13. Have a fire escape plan and hold a fire drill with your family. Make sure all adults in the house know how and when to use a fire extinguisher.
14. If you have a pool or hot tub, install a fence around it.
15. Always watch children carefully when in the bathtub or pool, even small, child-sized pools.

Easy Calorie Burning

Looking for an easy way to increase the number of calories you burn each day? Try tapping your foot or twiddling your thumbs! Research shows that people who consistently fidget while sitting burn more calories than those who sit still.

Other ways to boost calorie burning while at your desk or on the couch include:

- Standing up while talking on the phone

- Focusing on maintaining good posture

- Bouncing your leg or tapping your fingers

- Doing neck, arm or leg stretches

DID YOU KNOW?

A study conducted by Dr. James A. Levine, a researcher at Mayo Clinic, revealed that people who do more fidgeting and gesturing can burn as many as 350 extra calories per day. This would add up to 36 pounds lost in one year (assuming consistent food intake).

Email Precautions You Need to Know

Did you know that emails sent at work could be grounds for termination or create legal problems? It is essential you take precautions when using email, to protect your job and company.

-   Avoid jokes and sarcasm in an email. You may unintentionally offend someone or a recipient may misread your tone. Instead, be professional and clear.

-   Remember that emails are permanent and you do not own your email your company does. Do not send anything in an email that is inappropriate. The company may monitor your email and may use it as grounds for discipline, if appropriate.

-   Always proofread your email and double check recipients and attachments before sending.

-   Use care when using “Reply All.” Do all of the recipients need the information you are sending? Should all recipients be privy to the information?

-   Consider using the phone or face-to-face conversations for sensitive or complex information.

-   Do not send an email in anger. Give yourself time to cool down from the situation. You cannot “unsend” an email!

Healthy Eating on a Budget

Grocery shopping on a budget can be difficult – especially when trying to make healthy choices. Sometimes it can seem easier and less expensive to buy a cheap, processed meal (or swing through your local drive-through) than to plan a healthy, quality meal. But with these tips, you can balance health and budget.

• Set aside time to clip coupons and plan weekly meals and snacks. This allows you to take advantage of items on sale and make the most of what you buy so nothing goes to waste.
• Always have a list when you grocery shop and don’t go when you’re hungry!
• Buy nonperishable items in bulk (especially when they’re on sale) and buy generic. This can add up to a lot of savings.
• Cook larger portions of healthy dinners and freeze the leftovers for another day.
• Experiment with marinades and spices to add variety to easy, inexpensive dishes like chicken, potatoes, soup, pasta or rice.
• Make it a priority to keep fresh fruits and vegetables in the house and incorporate them into your meals.

Baked Spicy Cod

Serve this tasty entrée with brown rice and vegetables for an easy, balanced meal. Makes 4 servings (140 calories each).

• 1 lb. cod fillets
• 1/4 tsp. paprika
• 1/4 tsp. garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp. onion powder
• 1/8 tsp. pepper
• 1/8 tsp. ground oregano
• 1/8 tsp. ground thyme
• 1 tsp. lemon juice
• 1½ tsp. melted margarine

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Separate fish into four fillets or pieces. Place fish in ungreased, 13x9x2-inch baking pan. Combine paprika, garlic and onion powder, pepper, oregano and thyme in a small bowl. Sprinkle lemon juice and seasoning mixture evenly over fish. Drizzle margarine evenly over fish. Bake 20-25 minutes (until fish flakes easily with fork).

Source: www.nutrition.gov.

The U.S. Treasury Department in conjunction with the IRS recently announced the new Health Savings Account (HSA) annual contribution limits for 2012.

The 2011 HSA contribution limit is $3,050 for an individual and $6,150 for a family.

The 2012 HSA contribution limit is $3,100 for an individual and $6,250 for a family.

Deadline Approaching to Amend Plan Documents for New OTC Rules

One of the provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act changes the rules regarding over-the-counter drugs and health spending accounts.

Beginning Jan. 1, 2011, over-the-counter drugs are no longer eligible medical expenses under an FSA, HSA or HRA, unless accompanied by a prescription (with the exception of insulin). This effective date applies regardless of when the employer’s plan year begins and regardless of any grace period for health FSAs.

This rule does not include medical equipment and supplies, such as crutches, bandages and blood sugar test kits, which may still be reimbursed without a prescription.

Employers are required to amend their cafeteria plan documents to conform to

this new requirement. Generally, such cafeteria plan amendments may be effective only prospectively.

However, guidance released by the IRS allows employers to amend their plan documents to conform to the new OTC drug requirements, effective retroactively for expenses incurred after Dec. 31, 2010, as long as the amendments are adopted no later than June 30, 2011.

If you have not already amended your cafeteria plan document to comply with the new OTC regulations, you should make necessary changes by June 30, 2011.

The official IRS notice regarding this guidance may be found at: www.ecfc.org/files/legislative-news/n-10-59.pdf

CMS Issues Revised Medicare Part D Model Disclosure Notices

Group health plan sponsors that provide prescription drug coverage are required to provide a notice of creditable or non-creditable prescription drug coverage to Medicare Part D eligible individuals who are covered under the entity’s prescription drug plan.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) provides model notices and recently released updated model disclosure notices for use on or after April 1, 2011. These updated notices comply with the new health care reform provision that changes the Medicare Part D Annual Coordinated Election period to Oct. 15 through Dec. 7 of each year.

Updated model notices are available in English and Spanish at:

www.cms.gov/CreditableCoverage/Model%20Notice%20Letters.asp#TopOfPage

DID YOU KNOW

The Form 1099 reporting requirement that was included in last year’s health care reform law has been repealed. This repeal measure received overwhelming support from Congress and was signed by President Obama on April 14, 2011.

The mandate would have required businesses to file a Form 1099 for any company from which it bought more than $600 in goods or services in one year. It was scheduled to go into effect in 2012 and was expected to increase both paperwork and accounting costs for businesses and landlords.

Study: Employee Moral Declines; Employers Oblivious

Employee morale is at a three-year low according to a recent study, but employers seem unaware of this steady decline.

The MetLife Study of Employee Benefits Trends recently released its ninth annual study. The report found a notable disconnect between employees and employers on the subject of loyalty.

Employee loyalty to their employers has declined for the past three years, as has their perception that the company is loyal to them. Conversely, employers remain oblivious to this decline, assuming employees are just as loyal now as they were three years ago.

Understandably, employers have been focused on surviving the economic downturn, but it seems many are unaware that their employees are becoming more and more dissatisfied. The survey found that over one in three employees (from all company sizes) hope to be working elsewhere within the next year.

Furthermore, a survey by the career website Glassdoor.com revealed that 4 in 10 workers believe it is likely they’ll find a new job matching their experience and salary in the next six months.

In light of these findings, it’s more important than ever for employers to focus on employee satisfaction. A good way to start is to survey employees about their satisfaction levels and ask how your company can improve.

Employers who fail to address falling employee morale may find themselves facing high turnover rates as the economy recovers and employees search for better opportunities.

Court Decision Has Wellness Implications

A recent decision in Seff v. Broward County is encouraging news for employers with wellness programs.

Broward County’s wellness program includes a biometric screening and health risk assessment. Employees enrolled in Broward’s health plan but not participating in the wellness program pay an extra $20 each paycheck toward their coverage.

Bradley Seff, a former employee, sued, claiming that this program violated the ADA by requiring employees to undergo a medical examination. The judge disagreed. He found that the plan was permissible because it fell within the ADA’s safe harbor provision as a bona fide employee benefit plan based on underwriting, classifying and administering risks.

This ruling provides some baseline guidance for employers offering similar wellness programs. Employers should still take caution that their health plans and wellness programs comply with all areas of the ADA, HIPAA, GINA and ERISA.

Saving just $50 a month beginning at your child’s birth will yield $20,000 by age 17 (with a 7 percent return on your money).

Fit Physical Activity Into Your Routine

One of the best things you can do for your health is get regular physical activity. It can help you reduce your risk of disease, control your weight and reduce stress. However, exercising regularly is easier said than done. These tips can help you work physical activity into your daily routine.

 At home:

1. Clean the house, wash the car or do yard work, rather than hiring someone else to do it.
2. Stand up or walk around while talking on the phone.
3. Get the whole family involved! Play with your kids or plan family hikes, bike rides and other activities.
4. Lift weights or do other exercises while watching television.
5. Walk the dog or push your baby’s stroller around the neighborhood.

 At work:

1.   Take the stairs instead of the elevator.
2.   Walk over to someone’s office rather than calling them.
3.   Take walks at lunch or break time and ask a coworker to join.
4.   Schedule walking meetings for short chats or brainstorm sessions.
5.   Join a company sports team.

On the go:

1.  Park in the back of parking lots to increase your walking time.
2.  Get off the bus one stop early and walk the rest of the way.
3.   Walk or bike to nearby destinations instead of driving.
4.   Make plans to do physical activities with friends, such as play tennis,  hike, go swimming or join a recreation sports league.
5.  When golfing, walk instead of using a cart.

Save for Their Future

College may seem a long way off for your children, but the sooner you start saving, the more you’ll be able to help your child fund his or her education. Consider these tips:

1. Open a savings account the day your child is born.
2. Put money away on a consistent basis, such as an automatic payroll deduction. Adjust this amount as your salary increases.
3.  Save windfalls such as tax refunds and bonuses.
4. Ask other relatives to contribute in lieu of gifts.

Protect Your Vision

Eye health can become an afterthought, particularly for people who have never had vision problems. However, getting regular eye exams and protecting your vision is important to help avoid eye conditions and discover problems early so you can seek proper treatment.

The most important step for maintaining eye health is getting regular eye exams. Often, people don’t realize their vision has decreased and that glasses or contacts could help them see better. In addition, eye exams can help diagnose diseases such as glaucoma and diabetes, which may have no obvious symptoms. Don’t forget to take your kids in for regular eye exams as well; vision problems can decrease performance at school and make daily activities harder for your child.

Other steps to protect your vision include always wearing sunglasses when out in the sun, wearing protective eyewear when performing dangerous work and resting eyes periodically when at a computer for extended periods of time.

Stress Relief at Work

Do you often feel stressed or overwhelmed at work? Strive to reduce your stress with these suggestions:

1. Plan your tasks. Create a to-do list each day, set realistic deadlines for yourself and prioritize tasks by importance.
2. Recognize when you’re feeling stressed and address it. Take a short break and meditate, go for a quick walk, switch tasks or turn on some relaxing music.
3. If a task or problem is overwhelming you, take a break and return to it later. Also consider asking for assistance, advice or tapping into other available resources.
4. Consistently communicate with your manager about your workload and to clarify expectations and deadlines.
5. Find healthy ways to cope with stress, such as physical activity, meditating, reading a book or chatting with a friend.

Banana Yogurt Shake

1. 1-1/2 cup fat-free milk
2. 4 small bananas, peeled
3. 1 cup low-fat plain yogurt
4. 1 tsp. vanilla
5. 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
6. 1/8 tsp. nutmeg
7. 1 cup ice cubes

Combine all ingredients except ice cubes in blender; process until thick and creamy. Add ice cubes and process until smooth. Makes 4 servings (160 calories each).

DID YOU KNOW?

A recent study showed that health care costs rose at a 15 percent slower rate for employees who participated in a wellness program, compared to employees who didn’t.

This study, conducted by Highmark, Inc. and published in the American Journal of Health Promotion, surveyed employers who consistently provided a wellness program over a span of four years, and found a health care cost savings of $332 per wellness participant.

To Offset Health Care Costs Increases, Sweeping Plan Design Changes Expected

According to a survey recently released by Towers Watson and National Business Group, health care costs are projected to increase by 7 percent in 2011. Annual costs per employee are expected to reach $11,176 (up 7.6 percent from 2010).

Employers are concerned not only with these expected rising costs, but also with the effects health care reform will have on their health plans over the next several years. Many companies are implementing more comprehensive plan design changes to address these concerns, such as:

1. Increasing contributions for dependents, either through per-dependent contributions or spousal waivers or surcharges
2. Discontinuing employer-sponsored retiree medical coverage or restructuring retiree programs
3. Offering incentives or penalties to providers based on performance
4. Focusing on wellness and rewarding or penalizing employees based on biometrics like weight and cholesterol

In addition, adoption of consumer-directed health plans (CDHPs) with an HSA or HRA is rapidly growing. Many employers are promoting these plans by offering employees significant premium reductions. Companies with high CDHP enrollment have been able to keep costs flat and even reduce per-employee health care costs.

Celebrate National Employee Benefits Day!

Did you know there was a day (April 4^th) set aside to acknowledge benefits trustees, administrators and advisors for their role in providing quality benefits for their colleagues?

In addition to a much-deserved pat on the back, this day serves as a perfect opportunity to evaluate your current employee benefit communication efforts and ramp up employee education about your benefit offerings. Here are some ideas to promote your benefits:

1. Host a lunch-and-learn led by your Benefits Team.
2. Send periodic emails or payroll stuffers to communicate benefits information.
3. Host Q&A sessions for employees.
4. Provide employees with Total Compensation Statements.
5. Add a new benefit, such as walking programs, casual Fridays, monthly lunches or flexible scheduling.

Benefits and HR tips brought to you by the insurance professionals at Benefit Logic.

DID YOU KNOW?

On Feb. 10, 2011, the IRS announced that breast pumps and lactation supplies will now be eligible medical expenses for reimbursement from HSAs, FSAs and HRAs. They will not need a prescription or note from a doctor in order to qualify as reimbursable.

This is a reversal from the IRS’s previous position regarding breast pumps and medical spending accounts.

Will Congress Repeal Health Care Reform?

Controversy has surrounded the health care form legislation since it was signed into law on March 23, 2010. This debate entered Congress once again when Republicans took control of the House of Representatives in November 2010.

As promised, House Republicans attempted to repeal the law. Thus far, these efforts have not been successful, due to a Democrat-controlled Senate and the promise of a veto by President Obama.

However, because full repeal of the law would be difficult, Republicans have indicated that they will try to replace or repeal parts of the law instead. Provisions that may be revised or repealed include:

1. The requirement for businesses to report payments in excess of $600 on a Form 1099. (This is already being discussed, as the U.S. Senate recently approved a bill to repeal this measure and the House has similar bills proposed.)
2. The provisions in which employers can face penalties for not providing health coverage to employees
3. The individual responsibility requirement, which imposes penalties on individuals who do not obtain coverage
4. The Cadillac Plan tax on high-cost, employer-sponsored health plans
5. The tax on manufacturers of medical devices
6. Cuts to Medicare

At this point, it is uncertain what will happen with the health care reform law. Though there may be changes, it may also remain intact. Therefore, employers should make sure they are implementing the requirements as they become effective, until more is known about potential changes.

Sharp Rise in Audits for Illegal Alien Hiring Practices

Among the many employment laws that companies must follow is the Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA), which prohibits employers from hiring illegal aliens and imposes strict penalties on those who do. One of the primary responsibilities associated with this law is verifying employee citizenship status through the filing of the I-9 Form.

The federal government can audit any company and require it to provide I-9 documents for examination. Failure to do so or a finding of noncompliance with the law can result in penalties ranging from $110 to several thousand dollars. Recently, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement has greatly increased the number of these audits across the country, as many lawmakers push for tougher immigration enforcement.

It is important that you understand the rules of this law, maintain all necessary forms and conduct internal audits to make sure you are prepared in case of an audit. For more information, visit www.uscis.gov.