1199SEIU Funds

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  • Cómo planificar un embarazo saludable

    Cómo planificar un embarazo saludable

    Cómo planificar un embarazo saludable

    Aprenda qué esperar y cómo prepararse para el parto, así como a cuidar de su bebé después del nacimiento.

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  • Benefit Funds Expand Partnership with EviCore to Include Clinical Trial Management, Effective January 1, 2023

    Benefit Funds Expand Partnership with EviCore to Include Clinical Trial Management, Effective January 1, 2023

    Beginning January 1, 2023, EviCore’s standard Clinical Trial Management Program will be available to support Benefit Funds members’ access to applicable outpatient clinical trials for all cancer types, as applicable. The program includes expert clinical trial case reviews by EviCore Medical Directors to identify reimbursable standard of care drugs and advanced imaging to improve the provider experience and optimize treatment options. For more information, visit the Benefit Funds’ Medical Review Programs Medical Oncology Services web page in the coming weeks, contact your Provider Relations Representative or call our Provider Relations Call Center at (646) 473-7160.

    More Provider Connections

    Archive

  • Remember to Always Refer to the Benefit Funds’ Preferred Drug List and to Update Your Provider Demographic Information

    Remember to Always Refer to the Benefit Funds’ Preferred Drug List and to Update Your Provider Demographic Information

    Important Reminders

  • Message From the Executive Director and CEO

    Message From the Executive Director and CEO

    Message From the Executive Director and CEO

    Dear 1199SEIU Members,

    Welcome to a special edition of For Your Benefit, created to inspire you, our members, to live healthier, happier lives. This special edition is focused on your total health, because for all you’ve been through—and all that you do—you deserve the focus to be on YOU! And, to support you on your health journey, I am excited to share with you our new online Healthy Living Resource Center!

    Good health is the key that allows us to experience life’s joys. It enables us to live our lives to the fullest, unlock opportunities and be there for those who need us.

    Like many of you, I know it can sometimes be challenging to take the time we need for self-care, rejuvenation and making sure our health is in order. Yet, good health is the key that allows us to experience life’s joys. It enables us to live our lives to the fullest, unlock opportunities and be there for those we love. That is why we created the Healthy Living Resource Center. It is our way of supporting you on your healthcare journey, by connecting you with the information and tools you need to thrive and live your best lives. We know you take your health seriously, and we want to make your journey easier.

    Your journey starts with taking one small step. That step will be different for everyone, but by starting small and building on your accomplishments, you will prevail. Only you can unlock the door to your health and we are here to provide the keys for you to do that.

    So get ready for an illuminating experience. To help you navigate the path to continued wellness, both the Resource Center and this special edition of For Your Benefit are divided into the following sections: Healthy Eating, Healthy Bodies, Healthy Hearts, Healthy Minds and Healthy Provider Relationships. Each area provides ways for you to learn and connect, whether you prefer virtual, in-person, solo, one-on-one, group, traditional, nontraditional or holistic options.

    You will also hear from other 1199SEIU members, as they share their own experiences with healthy living and its advantages. Plus, you’ll hear from experts, learn about the health measures you should keep an eye on and find out about Benefit Fund resources as well as exciting partnerships with some of our participating providers.

    Of course, this issue provides just a glimpse of the Healthy Living Resource Center. Please visit the Healthy Living Resource Center regularly to discover all that it has to offer. And we would like to hear from you—what information you find helpful and what else you would like to see. You’ll be able to share your thoughts, questions and opinions with us on the site. We look forward to taking this journey with you.

    Meanwhile, enjoy the rest of the year—with all the promise that it holds—and stay well!


    In good health,


    Donna Rey, EdD
    Executive Director, 1199SEIU Benefit and Pension Funds
    CEO, 1199SEIU Funds Administrative Operations
  • Being there starts with healthy eating

    Being there starts with healthy eating

    Being there starts with healthy eating

    Fuel. Medicine. Love.

    Food is all these things and more.

    Eating a healthy diet gives us the building blocks to be present for life’s precious moments. It can also help our children grow stronger and be more focused in school. All of this adds up to our living longer, fuller lives. Although the basics of healthy eating are simple, it isn’t always easy to do. Knowing what kind of fuel is best for your body is a great place to start.

    Fruits: Fresh fruits are best, but frozen, canned or dried fruit also deliver important vitamins and nutrients.

    Vegetables: The wide variety of vegetables—beans, carrots, corn, salads—can win over even the pickiest eater.

    Dairy: Fat-free and low-fat milk, yogurt and cheeses provide essential calcium.

    Whole grains: Whole-grain breads, pastas and cereals are high in vitamins, minerals, protein, antioxidants and fiber.

    Protein: Proteins like fish, chicken, beans and lentils help fuel your body and maintain a healthy weight.

    Sources: CDC, Healthline

    Make mouthwatering meals

    You don’t have to sacrifice taste when using ingredients that are good for you —healthy food can be delicious. You can learn how to make easy and nutritious recipes with our online cooking series at www.1199SEIUBenefits.org/Wellness-Videos. If you live or work in the Bronx, take advantage of the SBH Health System’s innovative Teaching Kitchen, which offers three cooking classes with a chef who teaches healthy meal preparation, using food grown right in their rooftop garden.

    Learn more and start exploring
  • A healthy body gives you freedom

    A healthy body gives you freedom

    A healthy body gives you freedom

    Freedom to dream.

    Freedom to thrive.

    Getting more movement into your everyday routine is the best way to improve your emotional and physical wellness—and you may lose weight and cut down on the risk of illness. So whether you’re dusting off your sneakers or lacing them up for the first time, it’s never too late to get walking, running, biking or dancing—just get moving so that you can do the things you enjoy!

    Here are some simple ideas to get you started—try choosing one —and remember, every little bit counts!

    • Get off the subway or bus one stop earlier and walk the rest of the way.
    • Take the stairs instead of the elevator or escalator.
    • Use TV commercial breaks to do 10 crunches or dance.
    • Clean the bathroom, do laundry, wash dishes—they all burn calories.
    • Stand up, walk around, stretch or tense your stomach muscles and hold and release eight seconds each time, for five minutes several times a day—at work or at home.
    • Play with your kids or pet.
    • Take a 30-minute walk after a meal once a day.

    Sources: WebMD and NIH

    Get a discounted gym membership

    Exercise can boost your physical and mental health, so it’s important to find a routine or program that’s right for you. You can take advantage of discounts at gyms like the YMCA of Greater New York and SBH Health’s Healthplex Fitness Center.

    You and your family are eligible for a special group rate at any New York City YMCA branch and can access all the community and family programs the YMCA offers, as well as their healthy-lifestyle facilities. Membership includes state-of-the-art cardio and strength-training equipment, free group fitness classes, lap swim and family swim, basketball courts and more!

    If you live or work in the Bronx, SBH offers a discounted membership that includes access to the Fitness Center six days a week and to all scheduled classes such as Zumba, Illuminated Spin and Yoga, as well as three Teaching Kitchen classes.

    Learn More
    Learn more and start exploring
  • From your heart to theirs

    From your heart to theirs

    From your heart to theirs

    It’s an amazing machine.

    Your heart works around the clock to keep your body and mind running smoothly, pumping blood and oxygen to all of your organs. But to do its job well, it requires regular maintenance. Taking care of your heart allows you to enjoy your friends, family and daily activities. So take the time to maintain your heart health:

    Know your numbers – blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, Body Mass Index.

    Get routine checkups – annual physicals, with recommended screenings.

    Eat healthfully – fruits, vegetables, lean meats, dairy, whole grains and water.

    Exercise regularly – try to get 30 minutes a day—remember, it doesn’t have to be all at once; every little bit counts.

    Maintain a healthy weight – a combination of healthy eating and exercise.

    Manage stress – self-care, meditation, “me” time.

    Quit smoking – smoking damages blood vessels, raising blood pressure.

    A unique program for members

    If you are struggling with high blood pressure, take advantage of one of our new programs. We are partnering with one of our institutions to help you get a handle on your condition. Eating well, exercising and managing stress can be a challenge when you’re juggling a busy home and work life. But managing your high blood pressure is essential to staying healthy.

    At Mount Sinai Health System, your blood pressure readings are sent from an at-home device to a care team consisting of a pharmacist, a care coordinator, a nutritionist and a physician, who can manage and adjust your medication as needed and even provide one-on-one coaching.

    If your primary care doctor is affiliated with Mount Sinai and you want to try this program, contact MSHP.Pharmacy@mountsinai.org for more information.

    Learn more and start exploring
  • Emotional support can open up the world

    Emotional support can open up the world

    Emotional support can open up the world

    As healthcare workers, you proved your resilience during the pandemic.

    Now more and more of us are recognizing the need for emotional support in order to keep going and get the most out of life. Recognizing when we need help or when someone we love could benefit from mental health care is the key to finding support as soon as possible.

    Watch for these signs:

    • Fatigue
    • Behavior and habit changes
    • Increased substance use/abuse
    • Drastic mood changes
    • Increased irritability
    • Isolation from friends/stopping previously enjoyed activities

    Confidential support through member assistance

    There are several ways for you to use your comprehensive mental health coverage to get help. With our Wellness Member Assistance Program (WMAP), you can choose in-person, group and virtual options. So if you or someone in your family needs mental health or substance abuse help, our staff of trained professionals can assist with referrals to programs and community resources, or even outpatient treatment and inpatient hospital stays. Consultations are completely confidential. You can also register for emotional health and well-being workshops. For more information, call (646) 473-6900.

    Help for teens

    More than ever, teens are at high risk for mental health issues, so your Teladoc benefit now covers your eligible dependents ages 13 to 17. For more information, visit www.Teladoc.com or call 800-TELADOC (835-2362).

    Wellness at your fingertips

    If you work at Mount Sinai Health System, their Center for Stress, Resilience, and Personal Growth offers workshops, behavioral health treatment and the Mount Sinai Wellness Hub. You also have access to well-being surveys, can receive recommendations about care and build resilience through self-guided activities.

    Learn More

    CopeNYP

    If you work at NewYork-Presbyterian, their CopeNYP program offers free, confidential mental health services to all family members. Counseling, provided by Weill Cornell Medicine’s Department of Psychiatry, includes up to eight telehealth sessions per topic. For more information, call (646) 962-2710 or email CopeNYP@med.cornell.edu.

    Learn more and start exploring
  • It’s a partnership

    It’s a partnership

    It’s a partnership

    A Message from Dr. Van H. Dunn, Chief Medical Officer

    You may think you should only see your doctor when you don’t feel well. But getting an annual checkup with your primary care provider (PCP) is one of the most important ways to stay healthy so that you can be around for more of life’s joys. A PCP can be a doctor, physician’s assistant or nurse practitioner whom you visit for most medical needs and who manages your health concerns. Building a strong relationship with your PCP and visiting them annually for a thorough checkup ensures that they will get to know you, your background, your health habits and any medical conditions you have. This will help identify health risks early enough to get ahead of them and ensure that if you need it, you get the best possible treatment for you.

    It’s important that your PCP really listens to you and understands you. Your doctor should acknowledge any fears or concerns you have and answer your questions clearly and thoroughly. You should feel comfortable discussing things that may be personal, or even embarrassing. And if you need treatment, your doctor should explain all options with you.

    If you don’t feel comfortable with your current provider, visit our Healthy Relationships page for tips on what to look for when choosing a new one.

    Convenient Primary Care

    In the Bronx, SBH Health System provides you with whole-person care that includes a state-of-the art Wellness Center offering primary and family care, women’s health and diagnostics services, and an urgent-care center. They also offer a discounted membership at their Healthplex Fitness Center, which includes a fitness assessment, biometric screening and healthy-cooking classes. In addition, SBH has hypertension and diabetes programs customized for you and your family. To make an appointment with a primary care physician, call (718) 960-3730 and tell them you are an 1199SEIU member. If you need onsite help, an Outreach Coordinator is there on Mondays, from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm, and Wednesdays, from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm.

    In Brooklyn, the state-of-the-art Pierre Toussaint Family Health Center will match you with a primary care physician and follow-up support by a clinical team. In addition to an urgent care center, you can access health coaching and lifestyle programs for hypertension, diabetes and other chronic conditions. To make an appointment with a primary care physician, call (718) 604-5000 and tell them you are an 1199SEIU member. If you need onsite help, an Outreach Coordinator is there on Tuesdays, from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm, and Thursdays, from 11:00 am to 4:00 pm.

    Learn more and start exploring

  • Our online resource center makes healthy eating easier!

    Our online resource center makes healthy eating easier!

    Our online resource center makes healthy eating easier!

    Hear from the expert!

    “Eating the rainbow helps ensure you’re getting all the nutrients you need.”

    Abbie Gellman, MS, RD, CDN,
    Registered Dietician and Chef Director of the Teaching Kitchen and Culinary Medicine at SBH Health System.

    Eat the Rainbow

    Different-colored plants are linked to higher levels of specific nutrients and health benefits. So your best bet is to eat fruits and vegetables of different colors every day!

    Fresh Produce

    Getting more fresh produce in your diet just got a lot easier with this guide to Green Markets throughout New York City.

    Learn More

    Coming Soon! WW

    Formerly known as Weight Watchers, WW has a new, holistic approach that incorporates strategies to support your weight-loss goals through diet, physical activity, mindset and better sleep methods. Digital, in-person or virtual workshops, plus personal coaching solutions are there for you. Make signing up for WW your New Year’s resolution—the program starts on January 3, 2023!

    Meet Yesenia

    Yesenia Peña
    Patient Financial Advisor, NewYork-Presbyterian

    If I eat the right things now, I’ll be able to enjoy my retirement later!

    After a battle with thyroid cancer, Yesenia Peña made simple changes to her diet, replacing red meat, pork and white rice with grilled salmon or chicken breast. She soon began losing weight and feeling more energetic and confident. “People see me post pictures of my dinner and ask for my recipe,” she says. “They know it’s important to eat healthy too!” Yesenia’s doctor was happy to learn about the changes and recommended she see a nutritionist as well—which she intends to do. “I want to stay healthy as I grow older. If I eat the right things now, I’ll be able to enjoy my retirement later!”

    Say Goodbye to Diabetes

    In partnership with the Benefit Fund, Virta Health is offering a diabetes reversal program to members with Type 2 diabetes.

    60% of patients who participated in the program experienced diabetes reversal

    Using nutritional therapy, coaching, and clinical and prescription management, 60 percent of participants experienced diabetes reversal, and 40 percent are on their way to better management of their condition.

    Learn more and start exploring