HealthLineINTERNATIONAL UNION OF OPERATING ENGINEERS LOCAL 4 HEALTH & WELFARE PLAN

APRIL 2018

www.local4funds.org

Dear Health & Welfare Participant,THIS EDITION OF HEALTHLINE FEATURES THE FOLLOWING TOPICS:

• Modern Assistance Programs: Accessing Addiction Treatment

• Wellness Initiative Update• Member Resource: Funds

Office Website• Grandfathered Health Plan

MODERN ASSISTANCE PROGRAMSThe news is staggering. Today and every day, six Massachusetts residents will die from opioid abuse. From all indications, that number will increase. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health recently updated its 2016 statistics on opioid-related deaths. The department reported a 17% increase in the number of confirmed opioid-related deaths since 2015, and a 42% increase since 2014.

Your Plan has already taken steps to combat this trend by reducing the number of opioid pills that may be

dispensed on each fill and by installing a stringent prior authorization process to help ensure against abuse.

The Plan has also provided Modern Assistance Programs (MAP) with oversight of inpatient substance abuse claims so our members and their families receive the one-on-one personal care that they deserve in times of need.

One of MAP’s main objectives is to advocate for close-to-home treatment. Studies have confirmed a greater rate of recovery, and fewer episodes of relapse, for patients who are treated close to family and friends who can partner in their recovery. MAP has the experience and the connections to ensure that Local 4 members and their families receive high-quality treatment at reputable in-network, close-to-home facilities.

MAP’s work is even more important because too many patients are being recruited—to their detriment—to out-of-state facilities that make big

promises and fail to deliver, leaving patients prone to relapse.

In response to the opioid epidemic, there has been a significant increase in the number of treatment programs across the country. The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration recently reported the industry’s value at $35 billion. Addiction treatment is now big business. The Boston Globe is one of many media outlets that have worked to expose the fraudulent recruitment practices of out-of-state, “resort-style” substance use disorder treatment facilities.

According to the Globe, these treatment centers use “patient brokers,” individual contractors who work with treatment centers to coordinate the admissions process of a potential patient. On delivering the person to treatment—usually somewhere in Florida, Arizona, or California—the brokers earn a lucrative fee. The Globe reports they are paid up to $1,000 per patient delivered. These

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Mental traits, such as resiliency and optimism, may contribute to a longer life. A

study of 90- and 100-year-olds in Italy

found that exceptional longevity was

associated with a balance between

an acceptance of obstacles and

determination to overcome them, as

well as a positive attitude. Strong ties

to family, nature, or religion were also

common among those living a longer-

than-average life.

Effective meetings at work can be the rule rather than the exception if you

follow a few simple tips. First, make

sure that the goal of the meeting is

clearly stated for all participants.

Second, create an agenda with items

that lead to the goal. Third, provide

participants with the agenda at least

a week in advance so that they come

to the meeting prepared.

(health bits)

A BOON FOR YOUR BRAIN

Kale

WAS YOUR MOM ALWAYS AFTER YOU

TO EAT YOUR VEGETABLES? Turns out that veggies—specifically, kale and other leafy greens—may help your brain stay young. A recently published study found that people who consumed a little more than a serving of green leafy vegetables had better overall cognitive function. Their brains seemed 11 years younger than their peers!

Use these simple tips to get 2 cups of leafy green vegetables (that’s considered one serving) into your day: • Choose salad. Create a salad with baby kale, spinach, or other leafy veggies—the more veggies you choose, the wider the variety of nutrients, too.

• Make a wrap. Use leafy greens to cre-ate a wrap for your sandwich fixings. • Soup it up. Leafy greens like kale, collard greens, spinach, and mustard greens are great additions to soups or stews. • Stir-fry them. Add them to your pro-tein and veggies for a delicious meal.

Think ahead and you’ll find it easy to get more of these greens into your regular diet. Your body, and your brain, will thank you!

(recipe)

Fill a small pot halfway with water and

set to boil. While water is heating, set

a nonstick pan over high heat for one

minute. Remove pan, spray with olive

oil, and return to burner for 30 sec-

onds. Add onions and garlic. Sauté for

two minutes, reduce heat to medium-

high, then add the kale, sautéing it

down by the handful for about three

minutes. When kale is cooked and

wilted, stir in red peppers and sauté

for one more minute. Season with sea

salt and black pepper, remove from

heat, and stir in balsamic vinegar. Just

as water boils, crack one egg into a

small bowl filled with ½ cup white

vinegar. Pour the vinegar and egg

into the boiling water, and repeat with

each egg. Boil two and a half minutes.

Reduce heat to medium or medium-

low after one minute to prevent water

from boiling over. Remove eggs with

slotted spoon. Place ½ cup of veg-

etable mixture on plate and top with

poached egg.

Serves four. A serving is ½ cup of vegetables and 1 egg. Each serving contains about 160 calories, 6 g fat (1.5 g saturated fat, 0 g trans fat), 185 mg cholesterol, 270 mg sodium, 16 g carbohydrates, 6 g sugar, 5 g fiber, and 13 g protein.

Garlic Kale and Poached Eggs Olive oil spray

½ cup diced yellow onion

2 minced garlic cloves

1 large bunch of kale, stems

removed and leaves torn into

small pieces (about 6 to 8 cups)

½ cup diced roasted red peppers

¹/8 tsp. sea salt

¹/8 tsp. black pepper

1 tbsp. balsamic vinegar or citrus-

flavored balsamic vinegar

4 large eggs

2 cups white vinegar

and Leafy Greens:

TAKE A QUIZHow much do you know

about vegetables? Test your

knowledge with a quiz. Go

to www.choosemyplate.

gov/quiz.

A Beginner’s Guide to the Gym2

Endurance

Balance

Just getting started at the gym? This guide will help you strategically navigate the fitness center floor so you can target four crucial types of exercise.

Treadmills: Try walking briskly on

a comfortable incline

or lightly jogging.

Stationary bikes: Pedal while maintaining a

steady but increased

heart rate.

Your goalStretch your muscles to

give you more freedom of movement.

Your goalImprove your

balance to prevent falls, which is a

common risk for older adults.

Other endurance equipment includes ellipticals, stair-climbers, and rowing machines.

Studios: Scan your gym’s

instructor schedule

for yoga or tai chi classes.Studios: Scan your gym’s instructor schedule for yoga classes.

Mats: Practice standing on

one foot, then the

other. Or try holding

a side plank for 15

seconds on each side.

Mats: You can

stretch all

areas of your

body here.

A Beginner’s Guide to the Gym

Flexibility

Strength

Studios: Scan your gym’s

instructor schedule

for classes focused on

strength training.

Free weights: Also known as dumbbells, free weights

require more muscular stability than

a weight machine. Start with two light

weights as you practice bicep curls,

shoulder presses, and tricep extensions.

Mats: Try working

against your own

body weight with

lunges or squats.

You may also use a

stability ball, which

can help with core

exercises.

Your goalMake your muscles

stronger by lifting weights.

Your goalIncrease your breathing and

heart rate with aerobic

activity.

3

PREVENT DISEASE

1Blood pressure. Nearly half of all

Americans older than age 20 have chronic high blood pressure—130/80 mmHg

or greater. Getting your blood pressure checked, and changing your lifestyle or

using medication, if necessary, can reduce your risk for stroke and heart disease.

2Cholesterol. This simple blood

test—after an overnight fast—measures levels of HDL, or “good,” cholesterol

and LDL, or “bad,” cholesterol, as well as triglycerides. These fats in your

blood can affect your risk for heart disease and stroke.

3Pap test. This test, as part of a pelvic

exam, takes a sample of cells from the cer-vix to check for cervical cancer. Women ages 21 to 29 should get a Pap test every

three years. From ages 30 to 65, you should get screened every three to five years. Cer-vical cancer and the beginning stages of the

disease are treatable if caught early.

4Mammogram. This breast X-ray can find breast cancer in its early, most

treatable stages. Talk with your doctor if you’re between ages 40 and 49 about when to start getting a mammogram. If you’re

between ages 50 and 74, the U.S. Preven-tive Services Task Force recommends a

screening every two years.

5Blood glucose. This simple blood

test helps detect type 2 diabetes and prediabetes, which can increase the risk

for heart disease and other complications. It’s recommended for adults ages 40 to 70

who are overweight.

6Colonoscopy. During this test, the doctor will examine your colon, looking for signs of cancer and small growths that can become cancerous over time, which can be removed during the test. Experts

recommend getting a colonoscopy starting at age 50.

HEALTH SCREENINGS TO HELP WOMEN6 Don’t let heart disease, stroke, and other serious health conditions sneak up on you. Instead, prevent them by seeing

your doctor for a yearly well-woman checkup. At your checkup, your doctor will likely suggest health screenings. These tests can

help spot potentially deadly conditions before they become life-threatening. Here are six screenings that can help you stay healthy.

(health bits)THOROUGH HAND WASHING DOES

MORE THAN PROTECT

YOU from the common cold. It

also plays an important role in preventing

the spread of hepatitis A, a liver infection

transmitted through contaminated objects or

food. People in high-risk groups, such as young

children or visitors to countries where hepatitis

A is common, can get vaccinated for even

greater protection.

Joint pain from arthritis can make you reluctant to exercise, but physical activity is

actually a good way to reduce pain and

improve joint function, according to the

Arthritis Foundation. Start with walking

or water-based exercises and incorporate

strength training and flexibility exercises,

if you can. Before starting any new

physical activity, talk with your doctor.

ALL IN THE FAMILY

Consider bringing a copy of your family health history to your checkup. Create one by visiting https://familyhistory.hhs.gov.

4

PREVENT DISEASEHEALTH SCREENINGS TO HELP WOMEN

EVEN IF YOU FEEL CERTAIN THAT YOU HAVE A FOOD ALLERGY, get confirmation from

your doctor. Self-diagnosis can mask another type of food disorder or unnecessarily restrict your diet in ways that can harm your health. A skin

or blood test can effectively diagnose a food allergy.

Take Stress to Heart Women:

SOME SIGNS OF STRESS YOU CAN’T

HELP BUT NOTICE, such as sweaty palms, a twisting tummy, and tense muscles. Other changes, however, you can’t feel, but they can have serious con-sequences for your health.

According to a new study, women’s hearts may be especially vulnerable to the effects of stress. During a stressful experience, women showed a greater restriction in their blood vessels compared with men, reports a study published in the journal Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and Vascular Biology. When blood vessels con-strict, it decreases blood f low and oxygen to your heart. This can lead to a condi-tion called cardiac ischemia, which can cause chest pain and heart attack.

GIVE YOURSELF A STRESS TESTYou may already know that managing stress is important for your overall health. Now, there’s even more reason to do so. Signs that stress may be taking a toll on your well-being include:• Aches and pains, such as headache, backache, neck ache, tight muscles, or clenched jaw• Changes in energy level and sleep habits, such as always feeling tired or dif-ficulty falling asleep• Feeling anxious, angry, or depressed• Being easily irritated or confused

PUT STRESS TO REST You can gain control over stress and protect your ticker for many years to come. Here are some ways you can reduce the stress in your life:

• Say no. Consider your priorities and don’t be afraid to say no if something doesn’t fit with them.• Avoid triggers. While it isn’t possible to avoid all stressors, sometimes you can. For example, if going certain places or being around certain people makes you feel stressed, try to avoid them.• Exercise. Find an activity you enjoy doing, whether that’s walking, biking, or taking an exercise class. Making it part of your daily life will help you feel better in body and mind.

If you think that stress may be affecting your heart health, make an appoint-ment with your doctor. It’s never too late to adopt a healthier, less-stressed lifestyle.

ANSWERS TO CHILDHOOD STUTTERING QUIZ ON PAGE 6.

1. True. About 75 percent of

children stop stuttering as

they get older.

2. False. Emotional trauma

rarely causes stuttering.

Experts don’t know exactly

why children stutter, but it

tends to run in families.

3. True. Boys are about two to

three times more likely to

stutter than girls. Boys are

also more likely to continue

stuttering into adulthood.

4. True. Early treatment can

prevent stuttering from

becoming a lifelong prob-

lem. Seek treatment if your

child stutters for more than

three to six months.

5

MEDICATION SAFETY TIPSFOR CAREGIVERS 3

1. Most children who stutter

outgrow it. True False

2. Children who stutter usually

have emotional problems. True False

3. Boys are more likely to

stutter than girls. True False

4. Children who stutter need

treatment. True False

(test your savvy on … childhood stuttering)

Turn to page 5 for the answers.

AS THE CAREGIVER FOR SOMEONE YOU LOVE, YOU’RE

FACED WITH RESPONSIBILITIES THAT CAN BE BOTH

REWARDING AND DEMANDING. More than four in five adults take at least one prescription medication, so it’s likely that your loved one does, too. Here are three ways to help make sure his or her medicines are taken safely:

1Keep a list. Create a written list of the medications your loved one takes (with both their brand and generic names), what the drugs are for, and when they should be taken. Update the list as the medications change.

2Ask questions about the medicines. When your loved one has a doctor appointment, ask about his or her current prescriptions and whether they’re still necessary. Make sure the doctor knows about any supplements your loved one takes, too.

3Dispose of medication properly. Don’t let your loved one stop taking a medication without his or her doctor’s consent, but be sure to get rid of drugs when they are no longer needed or have expired. Visit https://takebackday.dea.gov and click on

“Collection Site Locator” to find locations where you can dis-pose of medication properly. This way, you’ll reduce the risk of your loved one accidentally taking an old drug or someone else (a child or grandchild) getting into it.

GET MORE INFO ABOUT MEDICATION

Have questions about a loved one’s medications? Check out the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s medication guides. Go to www.fda.gov and search for “medication guides.”

6

MEDICATION SAFETY TIPSFOR CAREGIVERS DO OLDER ADULTS NEED

Calcium and Vitamin D Supplements?THE OLDER YOU GET, THE MORE

LIKELY YOU ARE TO DEVELOP

OSTEOPOROSIS—a condition in which your bones become weak and easier to break. Calcium and vitamin D play key roles in helping keep your bones strong. So, does that mean you or someone you love should be taking calcium and vitamin D supplements?

RESEARCH SAYS … Maybe not, according to a recent study in JAMA. The authors analyzed the results from 33 clinical trials. They found that taking calcium and vitamin D supplements did not lower the risk of breaking a bone for older adults living independently. This suggests that the supplements may be a waste of money for many older adults.

Still, everyone is different. Some individuals at high risk for osteoporosis may benefit from taking calcium and vitamin D supplements. Talk with your doctor about what’s right for you or your loved one.

Ask your doctor whether you or your loved one should get a bone density test. This test looks for a high loss of bone tissue, which increases the risk for pain-ful and disabling broken bones. When needed, a doctor can prescribe medicine to prevent more bone loss or build new bone.

ANY QUESTIONS?

Print out a list of questions

about bone health to take

to a doctor appointment.

Go to www.nof.org and

search for “doctor visit

checklist.”

Bone-Boosting Tips

Eat a balanced diet rich in calcium. Good

sources include

low-fat milk and

dairy products,

dark green leafy

vegetables,

sardines, and

calcium-fortified

drinks and cereals.

Include foods containing vitamin D. This

vitamin is found in

egg yolks, saltwater

fish, liver, and

D-fortified milk and

cereals.

Avoid smoking and heavy alcohol use. Both are bad for

bones, and heavy

drinking increases

the risk for a bone-

breaking fall.

There are other ways to protect bone health:

Get weight-bearing physical activity. Examples include

walking, jogging,

climbing stairs,

dancing, tennis, and

weight training.

7

Information in the publication is the opinion of the authors. Personal decisions regarding health, finance, exercise, and other matters should be made after consultation with the reader’s professional advisors. All models used for illustrative purposes only. All editorial rights reserved. Developed by StayWell.

IUOE Local 4 Health & Welfare PlanPO Box 660Medway, MA 02053-0660

PRSRT STDU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDLONG PRAIRIE, MN

PERMIT NO. 372

www.local4funds.org

with challenges, incentives, and workshops throughout the year. Members and their dependents have been taking advantage of the various programs since January.

It’s not too late to get started! Visit www.ahealthyme.com/login and click on “Click here to sign up,” and register. If you have your annual well visit or any dental cleanings between January and October 15, each visit will qualify you for entry into a raff le to win one of ten $50 gift cards, redeemable at most major retailers. Further, if you are 35 or older and get a mammogram, or 50 or older and get a colonoscopy by October 15, you will be entered into a separate raff le to win one of ten $50 gift cards.

To bring your stress level down, take advantage of the “Take a Break” and “Mindful Living” online workshops for stress management during June and July.

Have you been trying to quit smoking, but just find the journey too hard? Sign up for the “Breathe Easy” smoking-cessation online workshop during August and September.

All online workshops are hosted on www.ahealthyme.com/login. Your participation in each workshop will qualify you for one of ten $50 gift cards.

If you have any questions about these 2018 wellness initiatives, please call the Health Fund’s Eligibility Department at 1-888- 486-3524 (option 5).

MEMBER RESOURCE: FUNDS OFFICE WEBSITEThe Local 4 Benefit Funds website has a wealth of information about the various benefit plans offered to its members. There is a dedicated Health Plan page that serves as a quick resource to link members to the various service providers who work with the Plan. The website is

consistently updated to ref lect recent mailings, wellness tips, and other helpful information. GRANDFATHEREDHEALTH PLANPlease note that this Plan is a “grandfathered Health Plan” under the Affordable Care Act. For more information, please refer to page v of your Summary Plan Description, or page vii of the online version.

Sincerely, Your Board of Trustees

William D. McLaughlin, ChairmanNino CatalanoPaul C. DiMinicoDavid F. FantiniJames RegerJohn J. Shaughnessy Jr.

IUOE Local 4 William D. McLaughlin, Business Manager

AdministratorGina M. Alongi

6272M

(continued from page 1)

financial incentives create the opportunity for deceptive tactics on the part of the patient broker, which often leads members to being falsely informed about their benefits.

The Plan and MAP do not want you to fall victim to one of these “resort-style” facilities. Your addiction, or that of a loved one, is a personal and family crisis, and should not be used to bolster a facility’s bottom line at the expense of the real goal, which is high-quality treatment, and ultimately, a lasting recovery.

That’s why it’s important for you to remember that, as of January 1, 2018, MAP is the benefits manager for all inpatient substance abuse and mental health treatment. If you or a loved one is in need of treatment, please call MAP today at 1-800-878-2004. A live clinician is available 24/7 with the ability to conduct screening and placement in a confidential manner. MAP has an extensive network of treatment programs and can make placements within hours.

MAP is a terrific resource to help members identify and access top-quality doctors and facilities, and continues to provide Employee Assistance Program services to members and eligible dependents.

WELLNESS INITIATIVE UPDATEAs noted in the February 2018 HealthLine, the Trustees announced a new wellness program for 2018