What is a "Qualifying Event"?  

During your initial enrollment to an employer sponsored medical plan, you select the plan and benefits that best fit your financial situation and your circumstances, then that plan is usually in effect until the group's next renewal period.  

Family Status

A change in family status is a qualifying event. If you get married or divorced, you can change your health insurance outside the enrollment period.  The birth of your child or adoption of a child is also a qualifying event. A change in child custody or a court order to provide coverage for a child will allow you to change your health insurance outside the enrollment period. The death of your spouse or the death of a dependent is also a qualifying event.

Employment

If your employment status changes such as from part time to full time, you can change your health insurance outside the enrollment period.

Eligibility

If your spouse loses or gains insurance eligibility that qualifies you to modify your insurance benefits to include them or take them off your insurance between enrollment periods. If you become, or an eligible family member becomes, eligible for Medicare, Medicaid or a similar state-sponsored program, you can change your insurance before the next enrollment period. If you opted not to take health insurance during open enrollment and you undergo a qualifying life event before the next enrollment period, you may be able to enroll yourself and your new dependent or new spouse. Notify your provider within the window of opportunity to check your eligibility.

Notification

Check with your insurance agent to find out what the window of opportunity is for making changes to your benefits after a qualifying event occurs. You usually only have 30 days to notify your carrier and provide documentation to support your qualifying event. Some providers may require as little as seven days notification.

Read more:

What Qualifies As a Change of Events in Health Insurance | eHow.com  

Everyone over age 6 months needs a flu shot (vaccine) every year. The seasonal flu vaccine is the best way to protect yourself and others from the flu.

For many people, the seasonal flu is a mild illness. But for some people, the flu can lead to:  

Serious infections like pneumonia

Hospitalization

Death

The flu spreads easily from person to person. When you get the flu shot, you don't just protect yourself. You also protect the people around you.

Am I at high risk for complications from the flu?  

For some people, the flu is more likely to lead to serious illness. If you are at high risk from the flu, get a flu shot as early as you can each year. Groups at high risk from the flu include:

 Pregnant women

 Children under age 5

 Older adults

 People with health conditions like asthma, diabetes, HIV/AIDS, or heart disease

If you spend a lot of time with someone at high risk from the flu, you will help protect both of you by getting a flu shot.

When should I get the seasonal flu shot?  

Most people get the flu shot in October or November, but you can get it as soon as the shot is available. You can still get the shot in December or later. Flu season can last until May.

Can I get the nasal spray instead of the shot?  

The flu vaccine can be given in a nasal (nose) spray or a shot. You may get the nasal spray if you are:

Between ages 2 and 49

Healthy

Not pregnant

Are there any side effects from the seasonal flu vaccine?  

Side effects from the flu shot and nasal spray are mild. Some people may feel tired or have a low fever for a day or so. Most people don't have these side effects.

Flu shot: People who get the flu shot sometimes feel sore at the spot where they got the shot. You can't get the flu from the flu shot. The flu shot is made from dead flu virus that can't cause the flu.

Flu nasal spray: People who get the nasal spray may have a stuffy nose afterward. The nasal spray has weakened flu viruses that can't cause severe flu.

What is the flu?  

The flu is caused by a virus that infects your nose, throat, and lungs. It's easily spread from person to person.

Symptoms of the flu include:

High fever

Headache

Tiredness

Cough

Sore throat

Runny or stuffy nose

Muscle aches

You can get a flu shot at your doctor's office or clinic. You may also be able to get a flu shot from your local health department, pharmacy, or your employer.

Find a flu clinic near you.   

Use this flu clinic locator to find out where you can get a flu shot near you.

What about cost?   

The seasonal flu shot is covered under the new Affordable Care Act (ACA). Depending on your insurance plan, you may be able to get a flu shot at no cost to you.   

Check with your insurance company, and ask about the ACA. For information about other services covered by the ACA, visit HealthCare.gov.

Your flu shot is free if you have Medicare Part B.

View the Full Website Here: 

http://healthfinder.gov/prevention/ViewTopic.aspx?topicId=18

Wellness Tip of the Month 

Enjoy the Holidays without Guilt or Regret

It's November, and "eating season" is officially open. If you're trying to lose weight or just maintain your current weight, the next couple of months are likely to be a challenge. To get through the holidays without packing on pounds, you need a plan.  

Here are five tips to help you enjoy the festivities without guilt or regret:

(1) Get moving. Even though it feels impossible to fit in another activity, make exercise a priority. Whether it's time at the gym, a fitness tape at home or a brisk walk through the mall, physical activity not only burns calories but boosts energy and combats stress.

(2) Make smart choices. Enjoy small portions of your favorite holiday treats, and skip the foods that you can have any time. For example, you can have chips and dip all year round. Pass on the ho-hum and go for the seasonal delights-in moderation, of course! (Check out some of our favorite H3 Holiday recipes below)

(3) Drink up. Concentrate on staying hydrated, which will also help you feel full and satisfied. Drink two glasses of water before the feast and an extra glass between those adult beverages. If you find it difficult to drink plain water, add a twist of lemon or lime, or a splash of cranberry juice. Limit alcoholic beverages to one or two cocktails or glasses of wine. Remember, nobody really notices or cares what you're drinking. Save calories and avoid hangovers with good old H2O.

(4) Change your focus. While holidays may seem to be all about food, you can make them about connecting instead. Shift your focus from the food to friends and family members. Plan activities, play games, reminisce. The real gift is in the love and laughter that you share. The food is just the bow on the package.

(5) Cut yourself some slack. Give yourself permission to be a little less than perfect with all of your holiday preparations. Decide which traditions really matter and let go of the rest. The resulting state of calm will save your sanity, help prevent emotional eating and allow time and energy to truly savor the season.

Alicea Glover is responsible for H3 Direct, a corporate wellness program, facilitated by Hilton Head Health (H3), designed to take the inspiration of H3's Healthy Lifestyle™ program, delivered to your door.  It's not too late to begin a program for your company in 2011 - call 785-3919 for information about how you can invest in your employees' health in the New Year for less than a quarter a day!

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H3 Recipe of the Month 

Piggybacking off the suggestions above, Thanksgiving is the time you get to eat foods you don't normally eat throughout the year so skip the unexciting stuff and save your calories for the most flavorful dishes. Use this holiday to try new dishes and put a spin on some of the classics. What better way to show your loved ones you care than looking out for their health by bringing a healthy dish to this year's gathering. Here are some of our favorite H3 Holiday recipes.

Cut back on the fat but not the flavor in these Whipped Garlic Red Bliss Mashed Potatoes; This Cranberry Pomegranate Relish will soon become your new favorite condiment and is perfect for the holidays; Everyone does dressing differently so why not experiment with new flavors like this Apple Sausage Dressing that puts a twist on the classic recipe; And of course, it's not the holidays without a little Pecan Pie.

Let us show you how to create these delicious holiday recipes and more in our new state-of-the-art learning kitchen and cooking school at the Culinary Arts Center.  

The Culinary Arts Center at Hilton Head Health offers a variety of holiday classes ranging from Entertaining 101 to Roast & Sauté, and is the perfect setting for your next holiday or company party. These classes are open to Lowcoutry residents and visitors so check out the Culinary Arts Center page of our website at www.hhhealth.com/cac or call (800) 292-2440 for more information on class offerings, private parties and gift certificates for your loved ones.

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