Home Safety Month

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.

DID YOU KNOW

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

BenefitsBuzz

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.

DID YOU KNOW?

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).

BenefitsBuzz

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.

BenefitsBuzz

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.

Healthy Colors

The 2011 National Nutrition Month® theme is “Eat Right with Color,” which means making sure your plate has a variety of color and nutrients at each meal. The American Dietetic Association offers a color guide:

Red fruits and vegetables are heart-healthy, help immunity and may reduce cancer risks. Try beets, cherries, cranberries, pomegranate, red grapefruit, red potatoes, red grapes, rhubarb, tomatoes and watermelon.

Orange and yellow fruits and vegetables contain nutrients that contribute to vision, immunity and may reduce the risk of some cancers. Great choices include apricot, cantaloupe, carrots, grapefruit, mango, papaya, peach, pineapple, sweet potatoes, yellow corn and yellow peppers.

Green fruits and vegetables have a high antioxidant potential. Try artichoke, asparagus, avocado, apples, broccoli, grapes, green peppers, honeydew, kiwi, lime and spinach.

Blue and purple fruits and vegetables may have antioxidant and anti-aging benefits. They may also help with memory, urinary tract health and reduce cancer risks. Great choices include blackberries, blueberries, eggplant, plums, purple cabbage and raisins.

White, brown and tan fruits and vegetables promote heart health and may reduce cancer risks. Try bananas, brown pears, cauliflower, dates, mushrooms, onions, parsnips, turnips, white potatoes, white corn and white peaches.

Choose a variety of colors when shopping for produce. And if you’re looking for fruits or vegetables that are out of season, opt for frozen or dried choices that are available throughout the year. Colorful meals are not only more flavorful, they contain a variety of nutrients that are essential to you and your family’s health.

For more information on National Nutrition Month, visit www.eatright.org.

Poison Prevention

National Poison Prevention Week is March 20-26 – are you informed on how to protect yourself and your family from hazardous substances?

According to the Poison Prevention Week Council, more than 2 million instances of poisoning are reported each year in the United States – and more than 90 percent of these poisonings occur in the home.

Prevent poisonings by following these tips:

Lock or secure all medications and chemicals. This is the easiest way to keep children away from hazardous substances in your home.

Never leave loose pills out. Even if you’re leaving the room for a few seconds, this can be enough time for children or pets to ingest the pills.

Be mindful when children or pets visit your home. You may not have children or pets of your own, but it’s important to put away any medications or chemicals when you have visitors.  

Never use cups or soft drink bottles for household chemicals or cleaners. Both children and adults could mistake these for actual drinks.

Never refer to medicine as “candy” when administering it to a child. The child may remember this and be tempted to take medicine on his or her own.

Pay attention to tamper-proof and child-resistant packaging. If a product looks like it’s been tampered with, do not risk using it.

Always read the labels and instructions of potentially hazardous products and medications. This is the best way to avoid adverse effects or recognize an adverse effect should the product or medication be ingested.

Never create your own cleaning solutions. A poison control center will not be able to give you proper instructions should anyone ingest the cleaning solution.

Keep children out of the way when using pesticides. Make sure toys are removed from the area before applying, and never leave pesticides unattended while in use.

If you think someone has been poisoned from ingesting medication or a household chemical, call 1-800-222-1222 to be connected to your local Poison Control Center any time, 365 days a year. Post this number by your home telephone or save it in your cell phone in case of an emergency. 

Watch for IRS Tax Return Scams

Protect yourself from online identity theft and other scams that increase during the tax filing season by taking the following precautions. Tax return scams have been known to impersonate the logo, names and design of the IRS or U.S. Department of Treasury to mislead taxpayers and lure them into providing personal and financial information.

Watch for e-mails that:

• Threaten to add additional taxes or withhold the tax refund should you not respond to the e-mail.
• Request personal or financial information. The IRS does not request such information through e-mail, nor do they send any communication requesting tax account information, PINs, passwords or similar access information for credit cards, banks or financial accounts.

If you receive a suspicious IRS-related e-mail do not reply, do not open any attachments and do not click any links. Forward the e-mail to the IRS at phising@irs.gov. After forwarding the e-mail delete it from your inbox and outbox. 

Turkey Meatloaf

Looking for a low-fat, low-sodium twist to an old favorite?

Try this heart-healthy recipe for turkey meatloaf.

• 1 lb. lean ground turkey
• ½ cup regular dry oats
• 1 large egg
• ¼ cup chopped sweet onion
• ¼ cup low-sodium ketchup

Combine all ingredients and mix well. Bake in a loaf pan at 350 degrees F for 25 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 165 degrees F. Slice and serve with your favorite side of vegetables. Serves 5.