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 Wellness Wednesdays

FLU SHOT Reminder: You can still get your flu shot! Flu season typically lasts until April, so it’s not too late to protect yourself. If you have flu symptoms, call the nurse line, schedule a virtual appointment, or visit your doctor, urgent care, or local pharmacy for guidance. There are resources available to help you and your family stay healthy! 

Benefits 101

An Explanation of Benefits (EOB) is a statement that comes in the mail and explains details about a submitted insurance claim. The EOB shows the portion that was paid by the insurance carrier and what payment, if any, will be the patient’s responsibility. Even though it resembles a bill, it is not. The bill for your portion will come from the health care provider and should be paid to the provider. Watch the video to learn how to read your EOB. 

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Eating Healthy on a Budget 

Like many of us, your New Year’s Resolution may have been to eat healthier. Eating healthy can help boost your immune system, decrease your risk for certain chronic illnesses, and improve digestion. With these practical tips, you can enjoy the benefits of healthy eating without breaking the bank.  

How to prep:  

  • Plan meals. Making a list for the week can help you avoid overspending at the store.  

  • Check for coupons.  Download your grocery store’s mobile app to find coupons.  

 

How to shop:  

  • Buy in bulk. Meat and dry foods like rice or oats are cheaper in large amounts. Plus, you can freeze or store any extras.  

  • Choose frozen fruits and vegetables. They’re less expensive, last longer, and hold similar nutritional value as fresh foods.  

  • Consider generic brands. They’re usually the same quality as name brand items and cost less.  

 

What to try:  

  • Eat different proteins. Beans, lentils, and canned tuna are all low-cost sources of protein. Also, try lean meat like turkey, instead of beef.  

  • Cook at home and make extra. Leftovers from a home-cooked meal are a great alternative to take-out.  

Boosting Your Benefits

Healthcare Money-saving tips! 

When you carefully consider the financial impact of your healthcare choices, you can help lower costs for yourself and your company. Get the most from your Anthem medical benefits by following these tips to be well and buy smart: 

  1. Use in-network providers. These providers have agreed to charge only up to negotiated rates and bill insurance companies directly, which saves you money and time. Also, check with your insurance company to ensure that a service is covered before receiving care.

  2. Keep up with preventive care. These services are covered in full by all of our medical plans and can help detect and prevent potentially costly health issues early. You pay nothing for annual physicals, recommended immunizations, routine cancer screenings, and more when you see in-network providers. 

  3. Shop smart for prescriptions. Using generic alternatives will almost always save money — and they’re just as effective as brand name prescriptions. Also, compare prices before deciding where to fill a prescription or look into home delivery. 

  4. Choose the right place to get care.  Facilities charge different amounts for the same services, so think about all of the options when you need medical attention. Use the guide below to choose the most appropriate care for any situation. 

Visit the ER or call 911 immediately if you experience chest pain or difficulty breathing, severe bleeding or head trauma, signs of a stroke (sudden weakness, slurred speech, facial drooping), a serious allergic reaction with trouble breathing, or any life-threatening emergency. 

(for Teladoc services) 

A common, non-emergency medical issue that can be diagnosed by phone or online.

 

EXAMPLES

Colds and allergies, flu/cough, ear infections, pink eye, behavioral health 

Doctor’s office 

$

(no cost for preventive care)

A condition that doesn’t need immediate attention and can wait until the next day. 

EXAMPLES
Sore throat, fever, r
outine exam, screening, checkup, vaccine, prescription refill 

Urgent care 

$$

A condition that needs
immediate care but is
not life- or limb-threatening. 

EXAMPLES

Broken bone, severe sprain, strain, cut requiring stitches, 

Anxiety attack 

Emergency room 

$$$

A life-threatening or potentially crippling condition that needs immediate attention. 

EXAMPLES

Sudden weakness, dizziness, or loss of consciousness, uncontrollable bleeding, chest pain, difficulty breathing 

The EAP is FREE for You and Your Household 

You can call the EAP 24/7: 

Anthem EAP: 800-999-7222

Lincoln Financial EAP: 888-628-4824

Our Employee Assistance Programs are free and easy to use! ALL employees and your household members have access to the EAP.

The EAP can help with everyday work/life issues, including parenting, relationships, career, stress, childcare, elder care, and even pet care. You can also get counseling and crisis support through the EAP. These programs can also help with addiction, legal and financial concerns, and identity theft.  

 

We have two EAPs to choose from. They are both available 24/7. The Anthem EAP offers three free visits for in-person or virtual counseling per person in your household, per issue each year. Lincoln’s EmployeeConnect EAP offers in-person help for short-term issues up to five sessions with a counselor per person, per issue, per year. They both have online resources too! Click the links below to learn more.  

Reminder for Anthem 6500 Health Savings Account (HSA) Plan Enrollees

It pays to be Healthy! If you are enrolled in the Anthem 6500 HSA Medical Plan, you can earn up to an additional $500 per year when you complete an annual physical. You need to complete your Physical form and submit it to Wellworks by June 1, 2025 to qualify. There’s even a QR code that your doctor can scan, sign, and submit right at your appointment! Log in to www.wellworksforyoulogin.com and visit your Wellness Locker or check your email from Wellworks for more information. 

For questions about your benefits, please email:

Lincoln Dental App and Rewards Program 

Manage Your Dental Insurance with the Mobile App 

Download the Lincoln Dental Mobile App to easily manage your dental insurance on the go! Use it to access your ID card, check benefit details, and review claim history before your appointments. Need a dentist? Search for in-network providers and find one near you anytime. View the Mobile App Flyer (Spanish) for more details.  

Save Your Unused Dental Benefits with Lincoln MaxRewards® 

Do you ever use just a little of your dental benefits one year, then need a lot more the next year? With Lincoln MaxRewards®, you can roll over part of your unused benefits into a special account to use later. This means you won’t lose benefits—you can save them for other dental treatments when you need them. 

If you're eligible, a portion of your unused benefits is added to your MaxRewards account each year. You can then use these savings for future dental care when you reach your plan’s maximum coverage. Read more here.

Anthem Members Automatically Save on Prescription Medications 

Anthem has a prescription cost savings program that automatically compares discount cards to ensure you get the lowest available cost on your medications. You can use the Price a Medication tool in the Sydney Health app or on www.anthem.com to: 

  • Find discounts on hundreds of covered and non-covered drugs 

  • Get the best in-network prices for your medications 

  • Compare costs between generic and brand-name drugs 

  • Save on maintenance medications with home delivery 

 

To start saving, download the Sydney app or click the button below to log into your account, then select “Price a Medication” from the Prescriptions menu. 

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