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Women's Health
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Preventive care, including regular doctor visits, is important for everyone. Women in particular should visit their doctors regularly in order to talk about their overall health, ask questions, establish a relationship, and above all get the recommended preventive health screenings.
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| About Us | |
A not-for-profit ministry of
Church of the Brethren Benefit Trust Inc.
Church of the Brethren Insurance Services provides ancillary coverage for ministers and other employees of congregations, districts, and camps.
Medical and ancillary plans are available to Brethren-affiliated employer groups.
Long-Term Care Insurance is available for all members of the Church of the Brethren, their family and friends, and employees of Church of the Brethren-affiliated agencies, organizations, colleges, and retirement communities.
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Contact Us
1505 Dundee Ave., Elgin, IL 60120
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Greetings!
Sunglasses --- they're not just fashionable. They're also functional! This summer, make sure to protect your eyes from harmful sun exposure by wearing shades that can save your ocular health. Read an article below about summer eye protection.
So much of health care is about protection --- protecting your body and mind against sometimes preventable ailments. But what are you doing to protect your assets in case you are forced to seek long-term care? Long-term care insurance is designed to protect your financial health if you suffer from a debilitating illness, degenerative disease, disability, or are unable to perform the activities of daily living. Check out this fact if you need another reason to pursue LTCI.
Because we focused on men's health in June's edition of Insurance Update, it's only fair to turn our attention toward women's health this month. Please review the women's health guide to the left of this letter for some preventive tips, and take a look at the article below to see how your medical insurance can stand with you every step of the way if you must seek treatment for a medical condition.
Have you heard the news? The Affordable Care Act is here to stay, according to the U.S. Supreme Court ruling released on June 28. How does this affect Brethren Medical Plan members? In short --- it doesn't. Read the longer answer here.
Stay cool, stay protected, and stay relaxed this summer! Brethren Insurance Services is here to serve you no matter how high the thermometer reaches.
Scott, Tammy, and Connie
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Vision Care: UV Protection
Keeping your eyes safe from the sun
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The sun releases energy, called radiation, in various forms --- in the sunlight you see, the heat you feel, and the invisible ultraviolet rays that cause you to get sunburned. UV rays from the sun can also damage your eyes.
Dangers of UV rays 
There are two types of UV radiation --- UVA rays and UVB rays. UVB rays are more likely to cause sunburn, but UVA rays penetrate deeper. Long-term exposure to both types of UV rays can result in eye problems that may lead to vision loss from conditions like cataracts or macular degeneration. Other dangers include skin cancer around the eyelids and corneal sunburn. Long hours at the beach or ski slope without proper eye protection can cause corneal sunburn, which can be very painful and may cause temporary vision loss.
Exposure risk factors
Everyone is at risk for eye damage from UV radiation. The risk of sun-related eye problems, however, is higher for people who ---
- Spend long hours in the sun.
- Have had cataract surgery or have certain retina disorders.
- Are on certain medications, such as tetracycline, sulfa drugs, birth control pills, diuretics, and tranquilizers that increase optical sensitivity to light.
Proper eye protection
Adequately protecting your eyes from the sun (and other elements like wind or water) is crucial to maintaining your vision and eye health. Consider these tips ---
- Use everyday eyewear that absorbs UV rays. All types of eyewear, including prescription and non-prescription glasses, contact lenses, and lens implants, should absorb UVA and UVB rays. For UV protection in everyday eyewear, there are several options like UV-blocking lens materials, coatings, and photochromic lenses (which darken when exposed to UV rays).
- Select the right sunglasses. Sunglasses help in two important ways: they filter light, and they protect the eyes from damaging UV rays. Look for labels stating that the lenses block 99-100 percent of UVA and UVB rays. They should also reduce glare, protect your entire eye area, be comfortable to wear, and not distort color. Be aware that if you are at the beach or on the ski slope, you should wear sunglasses with a darker tint to block more light. Your risk of eye damage from the sun is greater in those places because of the sun's reflection off the water or snow.
- Wear a brimmed hat or cap. A wide-brimmed hat or cap will block about half of UV rays, and it will also limit UV rays that hit the eyes from above or around the edges of your glasses.
This article is for informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. For further information, please consult a medical professional.
© 2007-2008, 2010 Zywave Inc. All rights reserved.
Which lens is right for your prescription sunglasses? Prescription sunglasses are more stylish, durable, and affordable than ever before, thanks in part to new lens technology. Lightweight and shatterproof, polycarbonate lenses are ideal if you have an active lifestyle or play sports. Polycarbonate naturally blocks almost all UV rays, so these glasses don't need additional UV coating. However, they can scratch, so use a lens hardener or similar coating to help protect them. 
High-index lenses bend light more efficiently, meaning light travels faster though these lenses than traditional lenses. High-index lenses can offer the same degree of visual correction using less material, which results in thinner lenses and less weight to your glasses. If you are interested in prescription sunglasses, talk to your eye care professional today, who can help you choose the right lens for your lifestyle. Information provided by EyeMed and the American Optometric Association's "Sunglass Shopping Guide," 2008. |
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Where women can turn for help
with any health concern
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Managing family, home, and job can take a toll on a woman's well-being, simply because there's so little time to focus on her personal health. That's true not only for women in the workplace but for full-time moms, too.
If you're a woman, or you have women in your life, it's vital to have the right information about health issues that women face, such as ---
- High-risk pregnancy.
- An abnormal mammogram.
- Hormone replacement therapy.
- Uterine fibroids or hysterectomy.
- Menopause.
- Cancers such as breast or ovarian.
- Other problems such as back pain, osteoarthritis, or heart problems.
For female-specific health issues, there's rarely one treatment that's right for everyone. That's why you need to be armed with information about all possible treatment options so that you can explore the right path toward wellness with your physician.
One great resource for information is Highmark Health Coaches --- specially trained health care professionals, such as nurses, dieticians, and respiratory therapists who are available to talk to you 24/7. With one phone call, you can get the most recent, unbiased information - and help as you deal with the stress, frustration, and pain that accompany many health problems.
If you're facing a complex medical issue, or if you're concerned about issues that may arise in the future, you can reach a Health Coach at
888-BLUE-428.
If you're more comfortable receiving guidance online, visit www.highmarkbcbs.com where you'll find a wide array of information specifically aimed toward the health issues you are facing. This information can help you better understand your diagnosis and treatment options.
These options are all part of your Highmark health coverage, and we encourage you to use these tools for healthier living --- whether you are a woman or a man.
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| Long-Term Care Insurance | |
If you're attending Church of the Brethren Annual Conference in St. Louis this summer, we invite you to learn more about LTCI at an insight session at noon on Sunday, July 8. More information can be found here.
Around 25 percent of adult children, mainly baby boomers, provide personal care
or financial assistance to one or both parents. This number has more than tripled over the past 15 years, according to a June 2011 study by MetLife.
Long-term care insurance can provide the financial resources you may need to treat a prolonged illness, degenerative disease, or disability.
We provide Long-Term Care Insurance to all Church of the Brethren employees and members, as well as their families and friends. If you are interested in obtaining this coverage, contact Brethren Insurance Services at insurance@cobbt.org or 800-746-1505 for an appointment.
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