To prepare for open enrollment, group health plan sponsors should be aware of the legal changes affecting the design and administration of their plans for plan years beginning on or after Jan. 1, 2021. Employers should review their plan documents to confirm that they include these required changes.

In addition, any changes to a health plan’s benefits for the 2021 plan year should be communicated to plan participants through an updated summary plan description (SPD) or a summary of material modifications (SMM).

Health plan sponsors should also confirm that their open enrollment materials contain certain required participant notices, when applicable—for example, the summary of benefits and coverage (SBC). There are also some participant notices that must be provided annually or upon initial enrollment. To minimize costs and streamline administration, employers should consider including these notices in their open enrollment materials. Click here for complete list in pdf

Oral cancer affects more than 40,000 Americans every year, claiming more than 7,000 lives. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is the best way to minimize your chances of developing oral cancer.

About the Disease

Oral cancer can develop in any part of the oral cavity, but it usually begins in the tongue or the floor of the mouth. It is one of a group of cancers referred to as head and neck cancer. When oral cancer spreads (metastasizes), it usually travels through the lymphatic system. Cancer cells then often appear in nearby lymph nodes in the neck.

Risk Factors

While anyone can develop oral cancer, the risk is highest in those who frequently use tobacco and/or alcohol. It is also more prominent in males, people over age 40, people with human papilloma virus and people with a family history of head or neck cancer.

Symptoms

• • White or red patches in the mouth
• • A mouth sore that will not heal
• • Bleeding in the mouth
• • Loose teeth
• • Problems or pain with swallowing
• • A lump in the neck
• • An earache

Diagnosis

The average age of oral cancer diagnosis is 60, when it is in its late stages. Therefore, if you have any of the symptoms described above, it is important to have a

doctor or dentist check your mouth and throat for problems. If the exam shows an abnormal area, a small sample of tissue may be removed for further analysis. This is called a biopsy and is the only way to know for sure if the irregular area is cancerous.

Treatment

The choice of treatment mainly depends on general health, the location and size of the tumor and whether the cancer has spread. Treatment may include surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy or a combination of the three. Some patients will need to have plastic or reconstructive surgery to rebuild the bones or tissues of the mouth, and some may need dental implants or dental prostheses. If oral cancer or its treatment leads to problems with talking, speech therapy will begin.

Prevention

Quitting tobacco use is one of the most important steps in preventing oral cancer. There are also some studies that suggest eating the daily recommended amount of fruits and vegetables may stave off oral cancer. Visit www.choosemyplate.gov/food-groups to find the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) recommendations for fruits and vegetables.

Source: National Cancer Institute, www.cancer.gov Read More click for pdf

Your Wellness Matters! Exercise

Physical activity – or exercise is one of the best things you can do for your mind and boy. Active people generally are at less risk for serious health problems like heart disease, type 2 diabetes, obesity and some cancers. Read More

Many people describe sun-tanned skin as a “healthy glow,” but it’s not exactly the truth. There is no such thing as a healthy tan.

Sun Damage

Any type of suntan is the result of sun damage caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation from the sun. Other types of sun damage include wrinkles, age spots, freckles, tough or leathery skin, dilated blood vessels, sunburn and skin cancer.

The sun emits two types of UV radiation: UVA (which causes aging) and UVB (which causes burning). Both UVA and UVB rays are undetectable to a person sitting in the sun—you cannot feel them on your skin. Both types of rays are damaging on cloudy days as well as sunny days. In addition, both types of radiation can cause skin cancer.

Skin Cancer

People are most susceptible to skin cancer when they are exposed to sudden, short bursts of sunlight while in places where the sun is very strong, such as locations near the equator or at very high altitudes.The following characteristics place people at an even higher risk of developing skin cancer:

• • Having a large number of moles on the skin
• • Being a redhead or blonde, and/or having blue eyes, fair skin and freckles
• • Difficulty tanning and skin that is easily burned
• • A family history of skin cancer

• Taking medication that increases sun sensitivity

  Preventing Sun Damage

  The easiest way to prevent skin damage and lessen your chances of getting skin cancer is to avoid getting sunburn. Here are a few tips to help keep you safe in the sun:

  • • Stay out of the sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. when it is strongest.
  • • Wear clothes with tightly woven fabric and a hat that shades your face, neck and ears.
  • • Use sunscreen that has at least 15 SPF every day, especially on your lips and the tips of your ears and nose.
  • • Avoid using tanning beds. Tanning beds give off radiation that is 10 to 15 times stronger than the sun.
  • • Protect children from sun damage. Most sun exposure occurs before age 18.

  Avoiding excessive sun exposure and sunburn is the best way to protect yourself from sun damage and skin cancer. Routinely inspect your skin for any changes, and if you suspect that a spot on your skin is new, or has changed color or appearance, see a doctor. Read More