The healthy traveler

sick woman calling doctor urgently at the airportYour vacation has been planned for months. Your business trip has been on the schedule for weeks. You don’t have time to be sick! Next time, you will make sure this doesn’t happen. You will be a healthy traveler! Here’s how:

Keep germs away. Think of all the things you touch that others also touch. If you aren’t able to use hand sanitizer or wash your hands frequently, just keep your hands away from your nose and mouth. Your belongings also may pick up germs from floors and counters. Use disinfecting wipes on surfaces before you set down your belongings or on the bottoms of your belongings after you pick them back up.

Keep alert. If you notice someone who looks ill or is coughing or sneezing, keep your distance.

Keep active. Stay active when you travel, especially if you will be sitting for long periods of time. Sometimes this is as simple as using a hotel’s fitness center, walking around the neighborhood or airport to explore, or even doing some exercises that use your own body weight.

Keep eating well and stay hydrated. Bring healthy snacks you enjoy, which also will save you money. And make sure you drink plenty of water. It’s easy to become dehydrated when you travel.

Keep Calm. Traveling can be stressful, even if a vacation is your destination. Find a healthy way to relieve your stress, such as exercise, yoga, reading, or even coloring. And don’t forget to stay flexible when travel arrangements change.

Keep rested. Time changes and the excitement of traveling may leave you more awake than usual, but try to stay well rested. Sleep is important to keeping your body healthy. Make sure you’re getting enough before your trip.

If you do find yourself ill and needing medical attention while traveling, find a doctor or medical facility through your policy. If you intend to travel internationally, it is a good idea to contact your independent insurance agent ahead of time so you know your options. We’re here to help you navigate the complexities of health insurance … and life!

Are you aware of your preventive health care benefits?

35130210 - preventive healthcareHealth plans today typically offer a variety of preventive care benefits. However, it’s estimated that only half of all Americans take advantage of preventive healthcare. Many people are simply too busy or don’t realize they have some important health screenings available at no cost to them.

Preventive care includes health services such as screenings and check-ups that are used to prevent health problems or detect them at an early stage when treatment is likely to work best. Most plans offer an array of preventive benefits designed specifically for adults, women and children. Flu shots, for example, are covered by most health plans with no out-of-pocket costs. (Just check before you go — your health plan may require you to get vaccinated by a specific provider or providers.)

It’s estimated that 7 out of 10 deaths among Americans each year are from chronic diseases. Preventive health care in the form of health screenings and early medical attention can lead to dramatically better outcomes. Don’t put off learning about your preventive health care benefits and staying current with recommended health screenings and vaccinations.

We’re happy to help you understand the preventive health benefits of your coverage. And don’t forget — open enrollment for health insurance is just around the corner. It’s a great time to start thinking about whether you need to make some changes in your health insurance coverage for 2018. Questions? We’re here to help you.