MEA Benefits Trust

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December 2009

Questions are the Answer, Make Sure You Know Your Medications

An important part of managing your own health is to make sure you know all the medications you are taking and why you are taking them. Knowing about your medications can help prevent mistakes, such as taking too much of a particular medication. Every time you get a new prescription, make sure you get the answers to these five questions:

What is the name of the medication? (both brand and generic)
Why am I taking it?
How much do I take? (Strength? How much? How often? How long?)
What do I do if I miss a dose?
What are the most common side effects?

You can download a copy of these questions to bring to your next office visit at Maine Health Management Coalition. If you do not have time to ask your doctor these questions, others on your care team can give you the answers! Your nurse, physician assistant, or pharmacist can help.

Because MEA Benefits Trust cares about your health, we have become part of Quality Counts for ME. Quality Counts for ME is a statewide effort working to improve healthcare quality in the state. For more information about Quality Counts for ME, please visit http://www.mainequalitycounts.org/

Future Moms and Condition Care programs

If you’re pregnant or planning to be, 360° Health rewards and the Future Moms program may be right for you. Future Moms is a maternity program available to all eligible employees that can put you in touch with valuable tools and information to help you make healthy choices while you’re expecting.

If you suffer from a chronic medical condition like asthma, diabetes, COPD or heart disease, 360° Health rewards and the ConditionCare program may be just what you need to jump start your drive for a healthier life. While you may not have control over every aspect of your health, there are things you can do to enhance your well-being. And with 360° Health rewards, there’s even more reason to get started right away.

For the entire article and links to the programs, click here.

The first week of January is Diet Resolution Week. As many as 90% of people in the U.S. make diet resolutions, but for many, they don’t last longer than 1 week.

Instead of making a diet "resolution", think of healthy eating as a diet “evolution”. Start with one positive step, such as eating breakfast.

Board of Trustees

Roger Young, Chair

Lois Kilby Chesley,
Vice Chair

Susan Grondin, Secretary

Chris Galgay

Kim Khoury-Kelley

Darrell King

Kelly Littlefield

Sally Plourde

Dennis Towle

When activating your membership at FindAHealthierYou.com

Enter MEA as the company sponsor.

Enter your Healthplan ID.
It can be found on your health insurance card. Do not include the first three letters of your id when logging on.
If you have trouble with the log on, contact Sharon Beaulieu at ssbeaulieu@nea.org

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It's Up To You!

Its your health and your choice. Thats why the MEA Benefits Trust is providing articles focusing on health and wellness. We want you to have the information you need to make healthy choices for yourself and for the people you love.

Holiday Home Food Safety

By Mary Doyle, RN, MA
Wellness Director

Enjoying food with family and friends is one of the highlights of the holiday season. Everyone wants to help, but too many cooks in the kitchen can result in an increased risk of foodborne illness. This is especially true when people who rarely prepare food at other times of the year are suddenly in front of the stove.

By taking precautions, you can prevent most cases of foodborne illness. Review these simple tips from the American Dietetic Association and share with them all the helpers in your kitchen. Then eat, drink and be merry.

To view the entire article

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MEA Benefits Trust | 35 Community Drive | Augusta, ME 04330
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