“We strongly support reform that builds a strong, sustainable private-sector health care system — and strongly oppose creating a government-run health plan. We are urging our elected officials in Washington to take bipartisan action that will accomplish that. We are educating policymakers in Washington and working with our trade associations to encourage Congress to build on the current system and not disrupt the quality, affordable coverage on which our members depend.”

What do you all think? Do you agree with Anthem or support the latter option?

If you are opposed to the government-run plan, there are ways to make your voice heard.  Below are the steps Anthem suggests to take to get involved.

• Go to www.healthactionnetwork.com and sign up to be a part of our grassroots campaign. When you register you will learn who your federal representatives are.
• Write a letter. Once you register on the Health Action Network, you will have the opportunity to send an email to your elected officials.
• Make a toll-free phone call to share your views with your federal lawmakers. After you have registered on the Health Action Network site, you will have the opportunity to take part in a phone alert in which you will be presented with a toll-free number and a PIN to enter once you have dialed in. Your PIN will enable us to patch you through to the offices of your U.S. Senators and your U.S. Representative.
• Post information on your Facebook page. Simply click the Facebook button on the Health Action Network and follow the instructions. The information will be published on your Facebook profile. Also, please be sure to become a fan of the Health Action Network on Facebook and encourage your friends and family to do the same!
• Tell a friend. Once you have emailed your elected officials, you will have the opportunity to spread the work to family and friends by using our “Tell a Friend” feature.

If you have any questions, feel free to contact RiteHealth Solutions: info@ritehealthsolutions.com or 303.443.1770.

“Researchers say they discovered “exactly the opposite” and consider voluntary benefits “an essential way to motivate employees,” providing compelling ammunition for worksite marketers ahead of the upcoming open-enrollment season.”

The survey participants were asked to rate their personal value of benefits on a scale from 0 100:

Dental was top at 89, vision at 80, 401(k)/retirement at 79, life insurance at 71, LTD at 62, STD at 58, long term care at 45 and cash came out last at only 33.

Michael E. Shunney, senior vice president and general manager of Sun Life Financial Employee Benefits Group comments:

“As this study shows, one of the most significant drivers of benefits enrollment is availability…A broad offering of benefits is a key component for employers looking to attract and retain a talented and productive workforce.”

So, before you think about completely cutting employee benefits, consider your workers and what they value. It will pay off in the end to have a healthy and motivated staff. If you appreciate them, they’ll appreciate you right back.

To read this article in full detail, visit Employee Benefit News

For more information visit http://image.email.anthem.com/lib/fef2107671620d/d/1/broker%20announcement.pdf

Women’s Adventure Magazine

 Women’s Adventure provides to RiteHealth Solutions’ clients special rates and terms for an annual home or business subscription. New subscription orders may be placed directly through the Women’s Adventure Magazine website, or by toll-free telephone at 1.800.746.3910, using one of the special rate options detailed below:

•  Select RiteHealth Solutions Rate Option 1 (Subscription Code FB7508) if you would like to enter your order immediately, and be invoiced $17.95 for your annual subscription. As a special benefit to RiteHealth Solutions’ clients, Women’s Adventure offers 7 bi-monthly issues for the price of 6. Within 30 days of your order processing, you will receive in the mail a free copy of our current edition. If you decide to continue your subscription, simply pay your invoice by check, money order or credit card when it arrives. If you decide Women’s Adventure Magazine is not right for you, write “no thanks” on your invoice and mail it back to us – your first copy is yours to keep no matter your decision.
•  Select RiteHealth Solutions Rate Option 2 (Subscription Code FB7608) if you would like to enter a paid subscription order for Women’s Adventure. Within 30 days of your order processing, you will receive in the mail your free copy of Women’s Adventure Magazine’s current edition. This issue will be followed by 6 additional bi-monthly issues over the following year. At any point during the term of your paid subscription, you may contact subscriber services office and cancel your order if you are not completely satisfied with our magazine. A refund will be given for all unmailed issues.

During good and bad economic cycles, employee benefits are effective strategic tools that can help address loyalty, recruiting and retention goals. However it may surprise some employers that benefits may be even more differentiating during an economic downturn.

As employers gear up for the next open-enrollment season, new research suggests they should think twice before cutting back on employee benefits — one of the few business investments whose value has held steady and which may be especially appreciated during lean times.

MetLife’s 7th Annual Study of Employee Benefits Trends shows that less than 15% of employers plan to reduce benefits significantly during 2009, and most of those who are considering action are focusing on 401(k) matches. LIMRA International’s study, A Subtle Shift, which examined employee benefits trends during the downturn, reports an even lower percentage (3%) of employers planning cutbacks.

MetLife research found that benefits influence loyalty more than meets the eye. Beyond salary/wages and health and retirement benefits, 69% of employees indicate that they value other insurance benefits such as life, dental, disability, vision, etc., despite only 41% of employers believing this to be the case. More than half of the employee respondents (56%) say they have a greater appreciation of their workplace benefits as a result of the difficult economy.

“Benefits will continue to play a prominent part in the total value experience for employees,” observes Bull Mullaney, president of MetLife’s Institutional Business. “A strong benefits program can really prove to be a differentiator at a time when employee productivity and commitment are critical to an organization’s success, especially as employers are increasingly asking employees to do more with less.”

Mullaney has spoken with scores of employers and brokers who are recognizing that when the economy eventually recovers, having the right talent in place is a critical part of any successful business formula. And providing a competitive benefits package can help achieve this corporate objective.

More personalized communications

But one key to managing these moving parts is promoting a better understanding of the products and services being offered to employees. At the heart of today’s benefits communication strategy is an effort to simplify education and make it easier for people to decide which benefits are most appropriate for their particular situation. There’s also a growing emphasis on personalizing materials and putting information online, indexed in a way that’s easier to find.

Earlier this month, MetLife introduced an online open-enrollment portal to help companies maximize employee benefits return on investment (metlife.com/enrollmenttoolbox). The site features proprietary research, a best-practices checklist, customizable surveys and decision-support tools, including benefit calculators that walk employees through computer-modeling scenarios and capsule summaries of the idea benefits package that people in the same situation might choose.

In conjunction with this approach, Mullaney suggests that employers consider an off-cycle enrollment for one particular benefit, such as life insurance or group legal plans, because these are often eclipsed by the full complement of benefits during open enrollment. This helps ensure that certain benefits offerings receive the right level of attention.

More prudent choices

As employers step up communications during the upcoming open-enrollment season, employees are expected to devote more time to carefully selecting coverages that better line up with their needs.

As employees shudder more of the burden for funding their benefits, MetLife research shows that employees are taking more time to study their benefits. As a result, they’re more interested in various voluntary benefit products — even if they have to pay all of the cost. Nearly seven in 10 (69%) employees say that these benefits play a strong role in the workplace loyalty, which is up from slightly more than half (51%) the previous year.

“There’s a real value to employers when their employees understand their benefit programs in more detail,” Mullaney says.

Realizing that the annual trends has consistently shown employees are spending only about half an hour on benefits selection, Mullaney remains optimistic that employees will focus more time on these important safety net decisions.

“If people can spend just an extra 15, 20 or 30 minutes on this, the quality of information they receive will allow them to make much better decisions,” he says.

To view MetLife’s new open-enrollment portal, visit metlife.com/enrollmenttoolbox

The 2009 health care seminar, “Benefit Solutions in Tough Economic Times,” was a success. Thank you to all the attendees for coming and fully participating! We hope you found the presentation informative and enlightening. Again, please do not hesitate to call or email if you would like to follow up with Rachel from RiteHealth Solutions or Jim from Guardian.

RiteHealth Solutions contact: 303.443.1770 or info@ritehealthsolutions.com

Guardian contact: jim_healy@glic.com

1. Higher deductibles mean lower payments

Annual deductible is the amount you must pay before your insurance kicks in. Deductibles can range anywhere from $300-$5,000. Typically, the higher your deductible the lower your monthly payments.

2. Location is KEY

Insurance rates range from state to state. California is typically the highest within the healthcare industry. When considering jobs in different states, try and research the rates, keeping in mind rent as well as car insurance.

3. Short term = Cheaper

If you have not yet found a job (where health benefits are provided), short term plans are the way to go. Though they do not cover regular doctor visits, they do cover expensive illnesses or injury. Things happen when you least expect them to, so never go without health insurance!

For further information on tips for you recent grads, check out http://www.ehealthinsurance.com/content/health/health-insurance-college-graduates.shtml and http://ezinearticles.com/?Health-Insurance-for-the-Recent-College-Graduate&id=320457

Everyone will be able to participate, regardless of athletic ability. In fact, they encourage participation free of intimidation. Activities that will take place around the res will include:

- Rock climbing

- Yoga

- Orienteering

- Mountain and road biking (bike demos included)

- Bike maintenance

- Fly fishing

- Winter back country skills

- Sports bra fitting

For more information, check out: https://remote.ritehealthsolutions.com/Exchange/lgallagher/Inbox/FW:%20Updated%20Materials-2.EML/WA_OneSheet_INS.pdf/C58EA28C-18C0-4a97-9AF2-036E93DDAFB3/WA_OneSheet_INS.pdf?attach=1

and

http://event.womensadventuremagazine.com/

May is skin cancer awareness month, so please visit:http://www.melanomamonday.org and find out if a free cancer screening will be held in your area. Never hesitate to talk to your doctor about preventative steps to take to keep your skin healthy.

The most important things to look for in a sunscreen:

- Make sure it’s SPF 30 or higher

- Make sure it blocks BOTH UVA and UVB rays

- Apply sunscreen first thing in the morning! Don’t wait until you’re already in the sun.

- Olay Complete Defense Daily UV Moisturizer SPF 30 is highly recommended by the EWG (Environmental Working Group).http://www.olay.com/boutique/complete/products/co1000

http://ritehealthsolutions.com/files/2009_Health_Care_Seminar.pdf