preventive care Archives - Be Well Solutions

Men’s Health Awareness – Strategies for Healthy Aging

June is Men's Health Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about the health challenges men face and encouraging them to take proactive steps towards maintaining their well-being. Men’s health encompasses a wide range of issues, including physical fitness, mental health, and preventative care. This month offers an opportunity to highlight the importance of regular health check-ups, a balanced lifestyle, and the need for mental and emotional support. Overcoming stigmas and taking proactive measures can ensure age related problems are dealt with in a productive manner. Understanding Men’s Health Issues Men have a higher risk of heart disease, stroke, and sudden death than women. They are less likely to seek and get treatment for emotional conditions such as major depression, even though studies tell us over 30% of men suffer depression in their lifetime. Men are also more likely to [...]

Tags: Aging, Emotional Wellbeing, health, mens health, mental health, preventive care, wellbeing, wellness|

Event: Ohio Safety Congress & Expo

High Risk: Finding Your Wellness Program Purpose Date: Wednesday, March 9, 2016 Our Presenter: Bill Frankel, Executive Vice President and Principal of Be Well Solutions As health issues expand across the country, more and more companies are feeling the burden of an unhealthy workforce. Higher health insurance costs, increased absenteeism, reduced work productivity all affect your bottom-line. Today, learn about: • The Financial Toll on Corporate America o Indirect Cost and Direct Cost of Poor Health • Making a Case for Wellness o Reduction in Risk Factors = Reduction in Health Care Costs • Wellness that Works: Essential Elements o Selecting the Right Wellness Program for Your Organization • 2016: Updates to the ACA, Alternative Standards and Technology • Wellness for YOU: It’s Never Too Late to Begin Your Journey Into Wellness For more information, please visit https://www.bwc.ohio.gov/employer/programs/safety/SafetyCongress.asp

EEOC Update – Wellness

As you may recall, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) had not clarified its position on employer-sponsored wellness programs. In fact, several lawsuits were filed by the EEOC against employer-sponsored wellness programs (e.g., the Honeywell suit). The pushback was based on the Title II of the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 (GINA). On October 29, 2015 the EEOC issued proposed rules which would amend Title II of GINA as they relate to wellness programs that are part of health plans. Comments on the proposed rules were accepted through the end of 2015. In short, the proposed amendments to GINA are favorable and show that the EEOC does not want to be an impediment to wellness programs. The following changes, in part, are proposed to GINA: A key proposed change in GINA involves incentivized wellness programs. The changes would [...]

ERISA, COBRA and Wellness Programming

David T. Andrews, Attorney for Day Ketterer The threshold issue to determine whether ERISA applies to a wellness program is whether the wellness program rises to the level of a “Group Health Plan.” ERISA defines a Group Health Plan as “an employer-sponsored welfare benefit plan to the extent that the plan provides medical care (…including items and services paid for as medical care) to employees or their dependents directly or through insurance or otherwise.” Many common wellness program initiatives will cause a wellness plan to become a Group Health Plan subject to ERISA, including health risk assessments that provide advice and counseling, employer-paid immunizations and employer-paid biometric screenings (i.e., blood pressure screening, BMI, cholesterol, etc.). In addition, a wellness program can become a Group Health Plan by becoming linked to a Group Health Plan, such as by rewarding employees for [...]

BWS- Top Workplace by The Cleveland Plain Dealer and WorkplaceDynamics, LLC.

CLEVELAND, OH – June 21, 2015 – Be Well Solutions is pleased to announce, for the second consecutive year, that it has been named a 2015 Top Workplace by The Cleveland Plain Dealer and WorkplaceDynamics, LLC. The award recognizes corporate culture, work/life balance, support of the local community, and the strong connection between employees and the company. Most importantly, the Top Workplace Award takes into consideration the internal support, guidance and encouragement provided to employees. At Be Well Solutions, employees take pride in making an impact in the health and well-being of our participants. The Be Well Solutions culture unifies the company to work as a team toward the same goal – to continue to provide impactful wellness solutions. “Be Well Solutions is thrilled to be selected as a top workplace for the second year in a row. From the [...]

Event: Summit County Worksite Wellness Conference Hosted by the Wellness 360 Committee

High Risk: Finding Your Wellness Program Purpose Date: Thursday, March 10, 2016 Our Presenter: Bill Frankel, Executive Vice President and Principal of Be Well Solutions As health issues expand across the country, more and more companies are feeling the burden of an unhealthy workforce. Higher health insurance costs, increased absenteeism, reduced work productivity all affect your bottom-line. Today, learn about: • The Financial Toll on Corporate America: Indirect Cost and Direct Cost of Poor Health • Making a Case for Wellness: Reduction in Risk Factors = Reduction in Health Care Costs • Wellness that Works: Essential Elements: Selecting the Right Wellness Program for Your Organization • 2016: Updates to the ACA, Alternative Standards and Technology • Wellness for YOU: It’s Never Too Late to Begin Your Journey Into Wellness For more information, please visit https://www.wellness360conference.com.

Be Well Basic Program

We are pleased to announce the start of a brand new program to provide limited wellness services to those organizations that are A) not ready for comprehensive wellness programming B) not ready to financially support a comprehensive wellness program or C) all of the above. This program will allow every organization, regardless of size, to promote health and wellness internally at a nominal rate. We are now offering the new Be Well Physician Screening Incentive Program: Be Well Basic. The purpose of this program is to encourage participants to get their annual well-visit with their PCP and to reward them for doing so. As with our existing programs, Be Well will take ownership and responsibility for this wellness program. We will do all of the work—including the roll out, data warehousing, reporting and more. A few important notes: • This [...]

Event: OSCPA: Cleveland Accounting Show

Health and Wellness in the Workplace Date: Thursday, October 22nd, 2015 Our Presenter: Bill Frankel, Executive Vice President and Principal of Be Well Solutions As health issues expand across the country, more and more companies are feeling the burden of an unhealthy workforce. Higher health insurance costs, increased absenteeism, reduced work productivity all affect your bottom-line. Learn why it is never too late to begin your journey into wellness. The presentation will include 2016 updates to the ACA, Alternative Standards and Technology.

Event: Solon Chamber of Commerce WRSC November Program

Moderator Michael Schechter "A WRSC Member Panel Discussion of Best Wellness Practices” Panel discussion will include best practices of the City of Solon, Pressco, Pyramyd Air, Swagelok and University Hospitals The discussion will focus on best wellness practices among area businesses and public entities as part of the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) program to improve wellness and reduce employee health risks. This program is a great opportunity to learn from local organizations with successful programs already in place. According to BWC, there is grant money available to help companies implement wellness programs. Dr. Michael Schechter is Director of Operations at Be Well Solutions and holds a MD from The Ohio State University College of Medicine and a Physician Executive Certificate from Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and Continuing Studies. Sponsored by Be Well Solutions What: WRSC November Meeting Where: Mustard Seed Market & [...]

Who To Watch in Health Care: What Are Some Of The Most Significant Challenges in Health Care Going Forward?

Crain’s Cleveland Danny Williams, executive director, The Free Medical Clinic of Greater Cleveland I believe three of the most significant challenges in health care today are: Finding a message that helps build a consensus around the idea that access to health care should be viewed as a basic human right, in much the same way as we view access to clean air and clean water. Adjusting the system for paying for health care from one tied to procedures performed to one focused on outcomes achieved for patient populations. Increasing the incentives to encourage more health care providers to pursue careers in primary health care to better serve the growing population of individuals suffering from a growing range of chronic diseases and conditions. Steffany Larkins, executive vice president, chief of staff, diversity officer, Medical Mutual of Ohio I believe that lack [...]