Workplace wellness
Flu Season is Approaching
Flu Season is Approaching – Let Innovative Workplace Wellness arrange a flu shot clinic for your employees. Flu season is quickly approaching and the best way to protect yourself and your employees from the flu is to get a flu shot. Reducing the spread of respiratory illnesses, like the flu,...
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Innovative’s 3rd Annual Well-Being @ Work Summit Recap
On May 12th, 2022 Innovative Benefit Planning hosted the 3rd Annual Well-Being @ Work Summit, an event dedicated to making workplaces healthier, at the Adventure Aquarium in Camden, NJ! The morning started out on the right foot with complimentary biometric screenings and breakfast during registration, while attendees also had time...
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Innovative Gets Certified in Mental Health First Aid Training in the Workplace
Innovative Benefits Planning is pleased to announce that our Nurse Advocate, Erica Polaneczky, has become certified in Mental Health First Aid Training. This certification allows her to provide Mental Health First Aid in the workplace training for employers. Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) teaches employers how to identify, understand, and...
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37% of Employees Cite Stress for Leaving Their Job: Learn How You Can Prevent This
Employers who are already challenged to find and keep top talent amidst a tough job market may find that high levels of workplace stress are making it more difficult to assemble and sustain a solid workforce. Recruiting and Retention With stress levels higher than ever in the early 2020s, several...
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9 Things to Consider About Your Advance Directive
It is no surprise that Stress Awareness Month and National Healthcare Decisions Day fall on the calendar simultaneously. If you are caring for a parent, spouse, or other family member, you want to honor their wishes, values, and goals. At the same time, you are no stranger to the stress...
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Innovative Announces the 3rd Annual Well-Being @ Work Summit
Innovative is excited to announce the date for our 3rd annual Well-Being at Work Summit. Join us on Thursday, May 12th, from 9:00am-3:00pm, at Adventure Aquarium in Camden, New Jersey. This Year’s Theme: Unfortunately, due to things like the pandemic, isolation and burnout, employee mental illness is on the rise....
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The Connection of Healthy Hearts and Minds in the Workplace
American Heart Month, observed every February since 1963, raises awareness about the dangers of heart disease and promotes lifestyle changes that can help people improve their heart health. Despite this, heart disease remains the leading cause of death among Americans. However, the American Heart Association (AHA) is now expanding the...
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How to Detect Employee Burnout and 15 Ways Employers Can Help Reduce It
Employee burnout continues to grow as the global pandemic enters its third year. In fact, experts say burnout is a primary cause for the Great Resignation, in which a record 39 million U.S. workers quit their jobs during the first 10 months of 2021. The root causes of employee burnout...
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Promoting End of Year Workplace Wellness Engagement
As we near the end of the year, don’t let your wellness program slip through the cracks. With the holidays approaching, flu season here, and 2022 planning in full effect, now is the perfect time to evaluate your organization’s end of year wellness initiatives to keep your employees healthy and...
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5 Ways Employers Can Address Mental Health in the Workplace
Mental health is top of mind everywhere these days as about 20% of adult Americans report symptoms of mental illness according to the Centers for Disease Control. Workplace mental health concerns such as anxiety, stress, and depression had already been growing, and then the COVID-19 pandemic and remote work situations...
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Coordinate Your Flu Shot Clinic Today!
Flu season here and the best way to protect your employees from the flu is to encourage them to get a flu shot! There are always benefits from receiving the flu vaccination, however, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, this year is more important than ever for your employees to...
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6 Tips for a Healthier Summer BBQ
6 Tips for a Healthier Summer BBQ Grilling is a fun way to prepare some of your favorite foods, especially during the summer. Try out a new recipe and follow these tips to make your summer cooking adventures healthy and flavorful this season! Add color. So many different fruits and...
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Incorporating Wellness into Your Employee Benefits Strategy
Incorporating Wellness into Your Employee Benefits Strategy Wellness is a strategy that continues to gain in popularity as employers are looking for ways to help their employees become healthier, more engaged, and happier at work. Wellness is typically broken into three categories. The first category is educational wellness. With an...
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Innovative Launches COVID-19 Employee Monitoring and Advocacy Solution
Innovative Launches COVID-19 Employee Monitoring and Advocacy Solution Innovative Benefit Planning, LLC is here to help your organization bring your employees back to the workplace safely and securely. In order to so, we are proud to launch our COVID-19 Employee Health Tracker, which will provide employers a COVID-19 monitoring and...
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EEOC Releases Proposed Wellness Rules under ADA and GINA
EEOC Releases Proposed Wellness Rules Under ADA and GINA The EEOC recently released proposed language revising the wellness incentive rules under the ADA and GINA. This proposed language is a revision to the rules released in 2016. Below is a summary of the proposed changes and how they may impact...
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Healthy for the Holidays
Healthy for the Holidays Tis’ the Season for Temptations While the holidays are an exciting and eventful time of year, holiday festivities can often revolve around eating and drinking. Traditions involve baking cookies, high calorie drink making, and eating plentiful holiday meals. We tend to get so busy around this...
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End of Year Wellness Initiatives to Drive Employee Well-Being
End of Year Wellness Initiatives to Drive Employee Well-Being As we near the end of the year, don’t let your wellness program slip through the cracks. With the holidays approaching, flu and germ season here, and 2021 planning in full effect, now is the perfect time to evaluate your organization’s...
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The CDC Redefines “Close Contact”
The CDC Redefines “Close Contact” As the number of reported cases of COVID-19 continues to rise, employers are increasingly confronted with questions and obligations regarding their workforce. With that being said, employers should be aware that as of October 21st, the CDC revised the definition of “close contact” to include...
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Better Sleep for Better Health
Better Sleep for Better Health As we approach the holiday season, it is important to remember to take some time to care for yourself. The holidays can be extremely busy, stressful, and even draining at times. Don’t forget to make yourself a priority. Self-care is about taking time for yourself,...
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How Employers Can Show Support on World Mental Health Awareness Day
How Employers Can Show Support on World Mental Health Awareness Day World Mental Health Day is recognized annually to promote education for global mental health, as well as create awareness and advocacy against social stigma. This yearly observance has occurred since 1992 and carries with it a yearly theme. It...
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Becoming Sun Sensible This Summer
Becoming Sun Sensible This Summer According to skincancerprevention.org, every year in the U.S. nearly 5 million people are treated for skin cancer. Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light is a major risk factor for most skin cancers, so sun safety is extremely important. Skin cancers start when UV rays damage the...
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Stress Management Tips
Stress Management Tips Maintaining your mental and emotional health is essential, and it’s more important than ever to take care of yourself and embrace activities that will help bring you a sense of calm and well-being. Here are some practical tips which will help: Sleep. Make sure you are getting...
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COVID-19: Tips and Prevention
COVID-19: Tips and Prevention Employees may have questions about what they can do to help manage the situation, and as an employer, you want to be proactive in communicating how to prevent the spread of the virus in the workplace. Innovative has created an easy to download infographic that can...
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COVID-19: 7 Important Employer Considerations
COVID-19: 7 Important Employer Considerations As employers prepare for COVID-19 accommodations, Innovative has developed a checklist that offers specific considerations for employers in planning for emergencies like COVD-19. Examples include policies to review, communication strategies to consider and benefits that may be impacted. The Innovative team is here to support...
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COVID-19 Communicating With Employees
COVID-19 Communicating with Employees March 12th, 2020 As part of their efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the workplace, employers should implement an employee communication plan about the illness to employees. The CDC, WHO and OSHA have all created informational material on the virus and its symptoms, prevention...
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Eat Right, Bite By Bite
Eat Right, Bite By Bite March 3rd, 2020 The key to achieving optimal health cannot be found in any one food, drink or pill, but rather through your personal commitment to healthy lifestyle behaviors. Focusing on maintaining and enjoying good nutrition and daily physical activity is the key to success....
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Heart Health Month: Show Yourself Some Love
February is heart health month and it’s a great time to raise awareness and learn what you can do to reduce your risk of heart disease. Because many cases of heart disease are controllable, you can take charge of your health by actively working to improve it by making some...
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How Managers Can Influence Workplace Well-Being
How Managers Can Influence Workplace Well-Being January 16th, 2020 When you think about your best manager, what are the first few things that come to mind? Hopefully, you think about someone who is bold, communicates well, gives employees space to do great work and positions them to take care of themselves. When it comes to well-being, managers...
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New Year, New You
Bring on the best you, this year! Wondering how you can stick to your goals this year? The key to making a healthy change is to set yourself up for success. Your changes this year may look like weight loss, stronger connections in your life, sleeping more, disconnecting from your...
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Adding Wellbeing to Round out your Employee Value Proposition
When it comes to what companies are prioritizing, engagement and wellbeing are now at the top of the list. Many organizations struggle with how to focus on what piece and how much to invest. One thing the research is clear on is that when you combine engagement with wellbeing, you...
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Healthy for the Holidays
The holiday season brings family, friends, festivities and lots of food! The temptations are everywhere and with all the extra activities, your daily routine gets disrupted. How can you stay on track when splurging is so apparent? We can help! Here are a few tips to help keep you healthy...
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Innovative Welcomes Nurse Advocate, Erica Polaneczky, MSN, APRN, ANP-C
We are excited to announce the latest member of the Innovative Benefits team! Please join us in welcoming Erica Polaneczky, MSN, APRN, ANP-C, as our Nurse Advocate. As part of our Workplace Wellness team, Erica will help Innovative build, plan, coordinate, and deliver health promotion activities tailored specifically for each...
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Innovative Welcomes New Director of Wellness & Engagement
We are pleased to announce another new member has joined the Innovative team! Please help us welcome Patricia Pellicore, CWP, as Director of Wellness and Engagement. As Director of Wellness and Engagement Patricia will manage, develop, grow, and promote the numerous positive features of Innovative’s wellness initiatives. One of her...
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Innovative’s Well-being @ Work 2019 Summit Recap
As employers, what do we need to create workplaces that are connected, flourishing and well with both business and employee in mind? This year Innovative Benefits Planning hosted our inaugural well-being summit that was dedicated to making workplaces healthier. The room was packed full of HR professionals, C-Suite decision-makers, health...
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Diabetes Awareness Month
November is National Diabetes Awareness month! According to the American Diabetes Association, nearly half of all American adults have diabetes or prediabetes, yet most do not fully understand the illness. Unaddressed diabetes can take a heavy toll medically, financially, and personally. Diabetes also increases the risk of developing other chronic...
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Oral Health Awareness Month
Did you know that your oral health offers clues about your overall health — or that problems in your mouth can affect the rest of your body? Protect yourself by learning more about the connection between your oral health and overall health. What’s the connection between oral health and overall...
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Flu Season: Myths vs. Facts
Flu season is quickly approaching. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that those aged 6 months and older receive the flu vaccine by the end of October. Getting a flu vaccine is the first and most important step in protecting against the flu. There are many misconceptions...
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Mind Your Health-Mental Health & Exercise
You have probably heard of the variety of benefits from weekly exercise…. But did you know that exercise can do wonders for both physical AND mental health? People who exercise regularly gain a sense of well-being, feel more energetic throughout the day, have a better quality of sleep, and have...
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Do you Practice Sun Safety?
Summer is here! That means spending more time with the family, more outdoor activities, and most importantly more exposure to the sun and its harsh UV rays. Increased exposure to UV radiation increases the risk of skin cancer. Due to climate change, the stratospheric ozone is thinning allowing less protection...
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Self-Care for Caregivers
National Women’s Health Week was May 12-18 this year. Earlier this month, we focused on preventative health, by age, for women. But a large percentage of women fall into a different type of health risk category–being a caregiver for a friend or family member. Besides physical health, caregivers also need...
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National Women’s Health Week
The 20th annual National Women’s Health Week kicked off this past Sunday on Mother’s Day, May 12, and is celebrated through May 18. Each year, this week serves as a reminder for women to make their health a priority and build positive health habits for life. What steps can you...
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Migraine and Headache Awareness Month-How to Cope in the Workplace
Almost 40 million Americans live with migraine and headache disorders. Unfortunately, headaches are considered invisible diseases, due to its ability to cause people who live with it to feel isolated and alone. There is a lack of understanding from employers, the public and people with migraine themselves about the impact...
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June is Men’s Health Month
Men’s Health Month is celebrated across the country during the month of June with screenings, health fairs, media appearances, and other health education and outreach activities. The purpose of Men’s Health Month is to heighten the awareness of preventable health problems and encourage early detection and treatment of disease among...
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A Nutrition Approach to Prostate Cancer Prevention
According to the American Cancer Society, one in six men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in his lifetime. Prostate cancer is a disease in which some of the cells of the prostate gland grow and divide in an uncontrolled way. The resulting mass is called a malignant tumor, which...
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Allergy Prevention Tips
Did you know that you can sign up for allergy alerts? You will get email notifications of allergy counts in your area. On days that the pollen count is high, avoid leaving windows to your home and car open. Pollen counts are the highest between the hours of 5am-10am. If...
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Spring Has Sprung! But So Has Allergy Season
Spring has sprung! But so has allergy season According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, allergies are classified as a chronic disease. So, what are allergies? An allergic reaction occurs when the body’s immune system treats an allergen such as pollen, as a harmful substance. The immune system...
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Action-Based Wellness-How it Can Reduce Claims Cost 10-25%
See how Innovative helped one client save significant claims dollars over a three year period by implementing a “results-based” wellness program. During the three year period, Innovative was able to help our client: Obtain 96% of employees to participate in Biometric Screenings Implement a proactive outreach incentive program 60% of employees to improve or remain low...
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National Nutrition Month
National Nutrition Month® is an annual campaign started by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics to raise awareness of the importance of making informed, healthful food choices to prevent and combat illness. Did you know that food is the most powerful medicine? Medicine comes with many positive and negative effects...
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Workplace Wellness Tips to Fend off the Flu
It’s that time of year again, when we start to hear coughing, sniffling and sneezing around the office and everyone starts to panic because no one wants to get sick, especially with the flu! When is flu season? Flu season begins in October and ends as late as May, however...
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Is Your Workplace Wellness Program Compliant?
In a recent settlement, the Department of Labor (DOL) imposed over $160,000 in fines and penalties on an employer for the noncompliant tobacco surcharge they imposed through their plan’s Wellness Program. A common Wellness Program design is to impose a premium surcharge to employees who use tobacco products. This surcharge...
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New Year, Fresh Start
2019 is in full swing and it’s the time of year that we get to designate as a fresh start and new beginnings. It’s a tradition in which we resolve to change an undesired trait or behavior, to accomplish a personal goal or otherwise improve our health and life in...
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ACA Extensions Announced
Yesterday afternoon, the IRS released Notice 2018-94, which announced an extension of the 2019 deadline for insurers and employers to furnish forms 1095-B and 1095-C to individuals. These forms, originally due January 31, 2019 are now due March 4, 2019. Although the furnishing deadline has been extended, the IRS has...
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The Benefits of Seasonal Produce
You always hear about the importance of eating fruits and vegetables. Indeed, they are packed with vitamins, minerals, fiber, and other phytonutrients that are beneficial to our health! But did you know that eating seasonal produce is not only higher in nutrients, but also cheaper, better tasting, and more environmentally-friendly?!...
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A Hard Habit to Break
Smoking is an addiction and as most smokers know, quitting isn’t easy. Quitting smoking is a journey, not a single event. You might hit some bumps in the road during your journey to quit smoking. Having a plan to meet these challenges is an important part of quitting for good....
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The Benefits of Positive Thinking
Many people do not know that positive thinking has a lot of health benefits. If you keep your mind in good shape, you’ll have an optimistic view of life and that affects your health and wellbeing in an extremely positive way. On the same note, thinking negatively can have an...
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Wellness Team Earn Their Certified Corporate Wellness Specialist® Designation
Congrats to our Worksite Wellness Coordinator, Erica Brown and our Project Manager, Kim Fisher on earning their Certified Corporate Wellness Specialist® designation. The Certified Corporate Wellness Specialist® is the foremost designation available in the corporate wellness and well-being field. The CCWS course comprises of concise and comprehensive techniques in how...
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Innovative Wellness Client’s Huge Loss is a Big Win
Congratulations to the Penndel Mental Health Center employees who participated in Innovative Workplace Wellness’ “Three Keys Challenge” coordinated by our Wellness Coordinator, Erica Brown. The “Three Keys Challenge” is a proprietary three-month team weight loss program that encourages participants to focus on three key factors that contribute to long-term weight...
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Innovative Sits Comfortably with Strive
Innovative Benefit Planning has partnered with Strive Physical Therapy to combat the ill effects of a sedentary lifestyle. On Friday, May 18th Jason Melnyk from Strive met with Innovative Benefit Planning employees to educate the team on all of the intricacies of desk ergonomics during their “DeskFit” lecture. The “DeskFit” session...
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The Importance of Wellness in the Workplace
Workplace Wellness is an investment which works much like any other investment- You put in time and money in hopes of a more valuable outcome, which in this case is the health of your employees, their families and your bottom line. Engagement, motivation, strategy, and support are the keys to...
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Innovative Kicks off Fall Fun & Fitness Challenge with Barre & Balance Class
From November 1st through December 20, the Innovative team is partaking in a “Fun & Fitness” Fall Challenge organized by Innovative’s Wellness Coordinator, Eric Brown. The challenge is comprised of a number of fitness activities with corresponding point values. Employees are encouraged to engage in a variety of healthy activities...
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Float Your Way to Better Health
Every day, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, our senses are being stimulated by light, sound, and other sensations. Our muscles and bones are working hard against gravity to support us with each movement that we make. If we are not careful to take care of our bodies,...
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Innovative Welcomes New Worksite Wellness Consultant
We are happy to announce the newest addition to our team, Erica Brown. Erica will be taking over the role of Worksite Wellness Consultant and will be responsible for overseeing the development and implementation of worksite wellness programs for Innovative’s clients. Erica Brown is a seasoned Nutritionist and Wellness Coach...
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Innovative Attends United Benefit Advisor’s Fall Conference in Chicago
The Innovative team headed to Chicago this past weekend for the United Benefit Advisor’s Fall Conference September 18th-20th. “UBA is the nation’s leading organization of independent benefit advisors who are bound by a code of conduct to actively cultivate, validate and share wisdom with busy benefit decision makers nationwide who want...
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How Corporate Wellness Programs Benefit You and Your Organization
Has your organization adopted a structured wellness program? Many employers are resistant to kickoff corporate wellness programs due to lack of knowledge and fear of high start up costs and increasing the workload on their busy Human Resources department. Read more in our Wellness Program Whitepaper about how you can...
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June 2016 Compliance Recap
June was another quiet month for federal agencies in relation to employee benefits. A tri-agency proposed rule regarding expatriate health plans, excepted benefits, and essential health benefits was released. UBA Updates UBA’s Human Resources department released a checklist and advisor on new OSHA requirements: OSHA Reporting Changes: Employer Checklist OSHA’s...
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Innovative Presents “Healthy Eating on a Budget” Seminar
Last Thursday, Innovative’s Wellness Coach, Lori Drouin, and Employee Benefits Consultant, Ryan Kastner, headed to the Occupational Training Center of Burlington County to present the educational wellness program “Health Eating on a Budget” to the Occupational Training Center staff. Lori walked OTC employees through a variety of ways to make healthy food choices, make...
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Compliance Recap – March 2016
The government was busy during the month of March, issuing the massive Benefit Payment and Parameters rule in addition to numerous other updates. The IRS has added filing errors relating to Form 5500 to its project list, and multiple federal agencies confirmed that the just-announced templates relating to the...
Read MoreEEOC Issues Proposed Rule Relating to Genetic Information and Wellness Programs
On October 30, 2015, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) issued a Proposed rule to amend the regulations implementing Title II of the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act (GINA) as they relate to employer wellness programs that are part of group health plans. The Proposed rule would allow employers to offer...
Read MoreTOP FIVE WORTHWHILE WELLNESS APPS–FOR FREE!
1. MyFitnessPal Don’t be a mindless eater! One of the best ways to lose weight and keep it off is to track what you eat and drink throughout the day. Create a profile on MyFitnessPal, enter your weight goal and begin tracking your food intake and physical activity. The app...
Read MoreSubstance Abuse and Teens: Strategies for Prevention
Every year since 1975, the Monitoring the Future study has measured drug, alcohol and cigarette use among American youth. The study, sponsored by the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA), surveys more than 40,000 eighth, tenth and twelfth graders. The 2013 results show a decrease in tobacco and alcohol use...
Read MoreHighlights of Wellness Program Requirements
The wellness program rules provide an exception to the general rule that employers may not take a person’s health status into account with respect to eligibility, benefits, or premiums under a group health plan. Wellness programs, therefore, are allowed if they are designed to help employees improve their health; if...
Read MoreEating For Healthy Cholesterol
Cholesterol The American Heart Association estimates that more than 120 million Americans have unhealthy cholesterol levels, putting them at greater risk for heart attack and stroke. Cholesterol is found in every cell in your body. When there’s too much cholesterol in your blood, you may develop fatty deposits in...
Read MoreHow Can You Help Reduce Air Pollution?
Environmental Health Works Both Ways This month we look at how the environment affects health. Knowing about health problems related to the environment is an important part of making healthy lifestyle choices. This awareness starts at home. A safe, healthy environment in the home includes: Avoiding lead Testing for radon...
Read MoreGet Active for Summer!
People who are physically active live longer and have a lower risk for chronic disease. Going outdoors for exercise is good for your mental and physical well-being. Recent studies have found that, compared with exercising indoors, exercising in natural environments made people feel revitalized and energetic. The CDC advises adults...
Read MoreSummer Skin Care Myths and Facts
Your skin is one hard-working organ. (Yes, it is considered an organ. In fact, it’s the body’s largest!) Skin acts as a protective barrier between your internal organs and the outside world. It’s a busy communications hub, constantly updating info on touch and temperature, and passing that info along to...
Read MoreUnderstanding Arthritis
Understanding Arthritis More than one in five adult Americans has some form of arthritis. Arthritis causes pain, stiffness and limited movement in affected joints. There are at least 100 different types of arthritis. The two most common forms are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis. Exercise is a valuable tool for managing...
Read MoreHow Fit Are You?
Fat or Fit? Being healthy and fit is not just about being thin. Managing health is important for everyone, no matter what their size or shape. Not smoking, eating a healthy diet and managing stress are all vital to good health. Regular physical activity greatly reduces health risks too, even...
Read MoreOrganics is a growing industry in the United States
Organics is a growing industry in the United States. This is especially apparent in the produce aisle. Today, nearly all supermarkets offer a variety of organically grown fruits and vegetables. Sales of organic produce in 2013 increased by 12% over 2012 sales. In fact, 35¢ of every dollar spent on...
Read MoreWhat Is The DASH Diet?
The DASH diet is a healthy eating plan based on the research studies: Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension. The diet has been proven in National Institutes of Health research to help lower your risk of heart disease by lowering blood pressure and lowering cholesterol. Blood pressure control with the DASH...
Read MoreCongratulations to Dan Foley and Ryan Kastner!
A key component of Innovative’s 2014 Strategic Plan is Focusing on improving Ourselves, Client situations and Innovative (FOCI). Dan Foley and Ryan Kastner embraced the initiative of self-improvement by completing the 13 modules of training classes and passing a rigorous examination to earn the designation of Certified Corporate Wellness Specialist®...
Read More5 Easy Strategies for Coping with Stress
Stress is a fact of life. A little stress can make you feel energized. It may even help you get things done. But constant stress can take a toll on your health. The effect can be both physical and mental. Poorly managed stress is a factor in many chronic health...
Read MoreDo You Understand the 2014 Requirements for Your Wellness Program?
The wellness program rules provide an exception to the general rule that employers may not take a person’s health status into account with respect to eligibility, benefits, or premiums under a group health plan. Wellness programs, therefore, are allowed if they are designed to help employees improve their health; if...
Read More7 Healthy Eating Strategies For The Holidays
Some of our most cherished traditions are centered on food, particularly at this time of year. Most dieters will tell you that December is a tough time to follow a weight-loss plan. There are sweet temptations everywhere you turn. Friends and families are getting together over festive meals. A fresh-baked...
Read MoreAre You Ready For Thanksgiving? Tips For A Healthier Feast This Year!
Feast without Fear at Thanksgiving The average American will consume 2,500 calories or more at Thanksgiving dinner. And that doesn’t include the nibbles and drinks beforehand or the second slice of pie before bed. Check out these practical strategies for preventing heartburn after the big meal. Don’t Nibble Before Dinner...
Read MoreVending Machine: Friend or Foe?
It’s not that hard to keep fruits, vegetables and other healthy snacks on hand at home. But the workplace is another story. If you haven’t brought a snack from home, you’re likely to visit the vending machine. If you look carefully, you can often find healthy – or at least...
Read MorePractice Positivity to Help Beat Stress
Being a positive thinker can affect your life more than you realize. Practicing positive thinking may make you a healthier person. Lower rates of heart disease and mental illness are linked to positive thinking. Positive psychology is a new branch of psychology that’s about 15 years old. Specialists in positive...
Read MoreEnsure Employee Health and Reap the Benefits
It sounds simple enough: improve workforce health, reduce health care costs. It’s a private matter, one’s health, but many employers invest in on-site exercise equipment, sports teams or any number of activities that not only promote camaraderie, but wellness as well. On the other side of the coin, many more...
Read MoreSeafood, Your Healthy Heart Hero
Seafood and Your Healthy Heart Following a healthy diet is a proven way to reduce your risk of heart disease. Pairing healthy eating with a physically active lifestyle will lower that risk even more. Most of us know which types of food can contribute to heart disease. We try to...
Read MoreIndividual Mandate: Who Is Exempt?
While most people must obtain coverage or pay penalties, individuals in these situations will not be penalized if they do not obtain coverage: They do not have access to affordable coverage (cost exceeds 8 percent of modified adjusted gross household income) Their household income is below the tax filing...
Read MorePlay It Safe Outside!
BUGS BEWARE! Mosquitoes, ticks and people all share the great outdoors as their playground. The insects may be more than a nuisance to be swatted away. In the U.S., mosquitoes may transmit some rare but serious diseases including West Nile virus, St. Louis encephalitis, dengue and eastern equine encephalitis. Ticks...
Read More8 Men’s Health Myths Exposed
Men get their health news from many sources: friends at the gym, their doctors, current publications and the Internet. A lot of the information is accurate. Some of the info mixes truth and rumor. Some of it is just plain wrong. Let’s take a look at eight popular myths about...
Read MoreWomen’s Health Myths
Do you go online to learn about your health? You’re not alone. A recent Pew survey showed 72% of Internet users looked for health info online. And women are more likely to do so than men. But you do need to be careful. Not all health sites are accurate. And...
Read MoreInnovative Is Proud To Support the Seventh Annual American Heart Association Go Red for Women Luncheon!
On Thursday April 11, 2013 Innovative attended the Go Red for Women Lunch Event at Lucien’s Manor in Berlin, New Jersey. Today, heart disease is STILL the #1 killer of women, causing 1 in 3 deaths each year. But it can be prevented. Knowledge of the risk factors for heart...
Read MoreManaging Seasonal Allergies
The Worst Offenders Seasonal allergy is caused by tree pollen in the early spring. During the late spring and early summer, the irritating pollen is usually from grasses. Weeds are the typical pollen source in late summer and into the fall. Tree Pollen In springtime, trees release huge amounts of...
Read MoreIt’s Time to Get Your Yoga On!
Yoga and Back Pain Prevention Lack of exercise is a risk factor for developing back pain. Exercise not only strengthens the muscles of the back, neck and shoulders, but it also relaxes the back, reduces pain and increases flexibility. It is recommended to do 15 to 30 minutes of back...
Read MoreAre You Trying To Stick With A Healthier Eating Plan? If So, What Should You Do When You Go Out To Eat?
Restaurant Strategies When Dining Out Keep this baker’s dozen of tips in mind next time you eat out to help you prevent mindless overeating: Avoid all-you-can-eat restaurants, especially if you’re likely to try to “get your money’s worth” with the sheer quantity of food. This style of dining is no...
Read MoreStand, Stretch and Move!
A Vanderbilt University study estimated that Americans spend about 55 percent of waking time sitting. That’s about seven and a half hours in a chair every day. A growing body of research shows that long periods of physical inactivity raise your risk of developing heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, cancer,...
Read MoreMake Time – and Space – for Workouts
Create a Home Gym Cold weather and short days make it harder to exercise outdoors in the winter. For those times when it’s too wet, too cold or just too dark to work out outdoors, why not retreat to your own home gym? For a minimal investment, you can transform...
Read MoreHealthy Employees Lead to Wealthy Employees
We all know that employer-sponsored wellness programs are effective at extending quality of life by maintaining good health and reducing health risks that can worsen over time. Companies also obtain financials savings from implementing wellness programs. For instance, for every dollar spent on wellness, medical costs are reduced by $3.27...
Read MoreThe Benefits of Napping
Quick Takes Naptime – Not Just for Toddlers Lions nap, dogs nap, even dolphins take brief naps. In fact, 85% of all mammal species are polyphasic sleepers, meaning that they sleep for short periods throughout the day. Generally, humans are monophasic sleepers, meaning we divide the day into two parts,...
Read MoreFive Great Whole Grains
This month we’re highlighting five whole grains that have much to offer when it comes to nutrition and flavor. The next time you’re at the supermarket or natural foods store, look for foods made with amaranth, barley, buckwheat, bulgur or quinoa and expand your whole-grain horizons. Barley The Story: Barley...
Read MoreDid You Ever Get So Covered In Mud That…
You wondered if you would ever get clean? We did! On Saturday September 15th, teams of warriors came together at the New Jersey Motorsports Park to raise money for cancer research and to honor cancer survivors in a tribute called the Bill Bottino Mud Run. Just as cancer survivors had...
Read MoreAll That Sneezing Getting You Down?
The weather turns cooler, the leaves turn colors and pumpkins are everywhere. It’s the perfect time to enjoy the outdoors, unless you suffer from allergies. Are your eyes itchy and watery? Do you have a runny nose? Are you coughing? Does your nose itch? Do you have dark circles under...
Read MoreHealth Care Reform, Costs Likely Will Alter the Nature of Wellness
In the wake of the Supreme Court’s ruling on health care reform, the future of employer-sponsored health care insurance remains murky at best. One health trend, though, looks like it’s here to stay as more insurers, employers and workers buy into corporate wellness programs. Yet the makeup of such programs...
Read MoreHomegrown Superfruits
Blueberries Drive anywhere in the state of Maine in the month of August and you’re likely to find a blueberry festival in progress or at least a roadside stand selling boxes of just-picked wild blueberries. Locals enjoy the little berries by the handful or in pies, muffins, jams, pancakes and...
Read MoreCamping With Kids
Pick a Campground If you’ve never camped with children before, or you’ve never camped at all, preparing for a night outdoors may seem daunting. Your first step is to research your options: • Assemble a list of campgrounds within an hour or two of home. • Novice campers will want...
Read MoreWater Precautions for the Backcountry
On day hikes, safe drinking water usually isn’t an issue. You can carry what you need. But longer, overnight adventures are another story. When planning a camping trip, it is important to anticipate your water needs. There are many approaches you can take to providing yourself and others in your...
Read MoreIs CAM Right For You?
A User’s Guide to Yoga Yoga is a mind-body practice with origins in ancient Indian philosophy. The various styles of yoga typically combine physical postures, breathing techniques and meditation or relaxation. The 2007 National Health Interview Survey found that yoga is one of the top 10 CAM practices used by...
Read MoreHealthy Supermarket Grab-and-Go Meals
Long work hours and unfinished to-do lists often push our healthy eating habits to the back burner. But being too busy doesn’t have to be your excuse for ordering a pizza or picking up dinner at the drive-thru window. More and more, health-conscious consumers are relying on their supermarkets as...
Read MoreSmoking and Your Numbers
Thankfully, smoking is on the decline in the U.S., but still nearly one in five adult Americans is a smoker. Everyone knows that smoking is bad for you. And most people cite lung cancer as the primary reason for quitting. But that isn’t the only reason to quit: •Smoking raises...
Read MoreKnow Your Numbers – Four Steps
You’re up-to-date on your health screenings. You and your doctor have gone over your numbers together. She points out that your BMI, cholesterol and blood pressure have inched up just a bit over the past couple of years and advises you to “watch what you eat” and to “get more...
Read MoreHealthy Skin, Healthy Living
Glowing, spotless, wrinkle-free skin is much valued in our society. We’re willing to spend a lot for that look. It’s estimated that the skin care industry in the U.S. is worth about $43 billion per year. But healthy skin starts from the inside, not just from creams and lotions applied...
Read MoreSoup’s On!
Several studies show that soup eaters end up weighing less than those who don’t eat much soup, according to Penn State nutrition professor Barbara Rolls, co-author of “Volumetrics: Feel Full on Fewer Calories.” “Incorporating soups into a weight-management plan can really help save calories,” she notes. She also likes it...
Read MoreBefore You Go: Healthy Travel Tips
Need a Flu Shot? With all that’s going on at this time of year, getting vaccinated against seasonal flu may be the last thing on your mind. But you don’t want to come down with the flu when you’re away from home. And you certainly don’t want to spread the...
Read MoreCancer Prevention on Your Plate – Quick Takes For Cancer Prevention
Screening tests are one important element of cancer prevention. Healthy lifestyle choices are another. Your cancer prevention strategy should include these positive choices: Don’t neglect cancer screenings: Early detection saves lives. Avoid tobacco: Cutting out tobacco will immediately reduce your risk for cancer of the lung, throat, bladder, kidney, pancreas...
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