Blog Post
Live Well, Work Well - March 2024
Zywave, Inc • Mar 21, 2024
Health and Wellness tips brought to you by MFC Benefits, LLC
Learn more about understanding your kidney health, the importance of protein, and how to prepare for tax-filing season.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR KIDNEY HEALTH
March is National Kidney Month, making it a great time to take charge of your health by lowering your chances of developing kidney disease. Your kidneys filter your blood to remove waste and extra water to create urine. They also make vital hormones that produce red blood cells, promote bone health and regulate blood pressure. As such, the kidneys play a vital role in your body.
The National Kidney Foundation reports that 1 in 3 adults are at risk for life-threatening kidney disease, but most don't even know it.
Risk Factors
Kidney disease is a leading cause of death in the United States. Today, 15% of Americans are affected by kidney disease—and most won’t have symptoms unless their kidneys fail. There are numerous physical signs of kidney disease, but most people attribute them to other conditions. If you have one of these risk factors, you may be at risk for kidney disease:
• High blood pressure
• Heart disease
• Diabetes
• Excess weight
• Family history of kidney disease
Kidney-friendly Lifestyle Tips
Your kidneys work hard for you, so taking good care of them is essential. Consider these tips:
• Get tested. Regular screening for kidney damage or disease can allow you to keep track of your kidney’s health and help prevent future damage.
• Reduce over-the-counter drug usage. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g., ibuprofen) can cause kidney damage if taken regularly, so never exceed the recommended dosage.
• Exercise regularly. Exercising helps lower your blood pressure and boost heart health—both critical factors in preventing kidney damage. Focus on being active for at least 30 minutes a day.
• Eat a healthy diet. Studies reveal that eating whole grains, nuts, fruits and vegetables is one of the best ways to keep kidneys healthy. A plant-based diet may also help prevent and treat kidney disease.
• Drink plenty of fluids. Water helps flush sodium and toxins from your kidneys. It’s recommended that men should get about 15.5 cups of fluids each day, and women need about 11.5 cups.
Contact your doctor for more information about kidney health and warning signs of kidney disease.
IMPORTANT FUNCTIONS OF PROTEIN
Proteins are made up of many building blocks called amino acids and are fundamental for proper body functioning and good health. Recognizing the multifaceted importance of protein underscores the need to incorporate protein sources into your diet to maintain optimal health and function across various bodily systems.
Protein plays a crucial role in the following body functions:
High-protein foods - eggs, cottage cheese, nuts and seeds, dairy products, lean meat and seafood
PREPARING FOR TAX-FILING SEASON
Tax season is here, so if you haven’t done so already, it’s time to gather all the appropriate information you need to file your 2023 tax returns. The federal tax deadline is April 15, 2024. Many people elect to file their tax returns electronically; this can be done in various ways, such as using tax preparation software or consulting a tax professional. If you are filing with a paper form, there are certain documents you must be sure to include.
The documentation needed for your tax filing may vary based on your employment status over the past year. It’s critical to consult with a tax professional with specific questions about your tax-filing situation.
UNDERSTANDING YOUR KIDNEY HEALTH
March is National Kidney Month, making it a great time to take charge of your health by lowering your chances of developing kidney disease. Your kidneys filter your blood to remove waste and extra water to create urine. They also make vital hormones that produce red blood cells, promote bone health and regulate blood pressure. As such, the kidneys play a vital role in your body.
The National Kidney Foundation reports that 1 in 3 adults are at risk for life-threatening kidney disease, but most don't even know it.
Risk Factors
Kidney disease is a leading cause of death in the United States. Today, 15% of Americans are affected by kidney disease—and most won’t have symptoms unless their kidneys fail. There are numerous physical signs of kidney disease, but most people attribute them to other conditions. If you have one of these risk factors, you may be at risk for kidney disease:
• High blood pressure
• Heart disease
• Diabetes
• Excess weight
• Family history of kidney disease
Kidney-friendly Lifestyle Tips
Your kidneys work hard for you, so taking good care of them is essential. Consider these tips:
• Get tested. Regular screening for kidney damage or disease can allow you to keep track of your kidney’s health and help prevent future damage.
• Reduce over-the-counter drug usage. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (e.g., ibuprofen) can cause kidney damage if taken regularly, so never exceed the recommended dosage.
• Exercise regularly. Exercising helps lower your blood pressure and boost heart health—both critical factors in preventing kidney damage. Focus on being active for at least 30 minutes a day.
• Eat a healthy diet. Studies reveal that eating whole grains, nuts, fruits and vegetables is one of the best ways to keep kidneys healthy. A plant-based diet may also help prevent and treat kidney disease.
• Drink plenty of fluids. Water helps flush sodium and toxins from your kidneys. It’s recommended that men should get about 15.5 cups of fluids each day, and women need about 11.5 cups.
Contact your doctor for more information about kidney health and warning signs of kidney disease.
IMPORTANT FUNCTIONS OF PROTEIN
Proteins are made up of many building blocks called amino acids and are fundamental for proper body functioning and good health. Recognizing the multifaceted importance of protein underscores the need to incorporate protein sources into your diet to maintain optimal health and function across various bodily systems.
Protein plays a crucial role in the following body functions:
- Growth and maintenance - Proteins are instrumental in the regeneration and repair of organ and muscle tissue.
- Communication - Some proteins are hormones and act as chemical messengers between cells, tissues and organs.
- Storage and transportation - Some proteins transport nutrients (e.g., vitamins and minerals), cholesterol and oxygen throughout your entire body, while others store them.
- Fluid balance - Proteins in your blood maintain the fluid balance between your blood and the surrounding tissues.
- Immune health - Antibodies and other components in your immune system are proteins that fight infections and disease.
High-protein foods - eggs, cottage cheese, nuts and seeds, dairy products, lean meat and seafood
PREPARING FOR TAX-FILING SEASON
Tax season is here, so if you haven’t done so already, it’s time to gather all the appropriate information you need to file your 2023 tax returns. The federal tax deadline is April 15, 2024. Many people elect to file their tax returns electronically; this can be done in various ways, such as using tax preparation software or consulting a tax professional. If you are filing with a paper form, there are certain documents you must be sure to include.
The documentation needed for your tax filing may vary based on your employment status over the past year. It’s critical to consult with a tax professional with specific questions about your tax-filing situation.
Download the PDF copy here.
Learn more about the Prescription Drug Report due date and the Court Ruling on Free Preventive Care. PRESCRIPTION DRUG REPORT IS DUE BY JUNE 1, 2024 Group health plans must annually submit detailed information on prescription drug and health care spending to the federal government. This reporting is referred to as the "prescription drug data collection," or the "RxDC report." The next RxDC report is due by Saturday, June 1, 2024, covering data for 2023. Employers should confirm they are taking steps to comply with this reporting deadline, such as providing information to third-party vendors on a timely basis. The RxDC report is comprised of several files, including those that require specific plan-level information, such as plan year beginning and end dates and enrollment and premium data. It also includes files that require detailed information about medical and pharmacy benefits. RxDC reports must be submitted through an online portal maintained by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). CMS'RxDC website includes updated reporting instructions and other reporting resources. Employers commonly use third parties, such as issuers, third-party administrators (TPAs) and pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), to submit RxDC reports on behalf of their health plans. Employers using third parties to submit RxDC reports must ensure that this reporting responsibility is reflected in a written agreement with the third party. Employers may work with multiple third parties to complete the RxDC report for their health plans. For example, a self-insured employer may use both its TPA and PBM to submit different portions of the RxDC report. A health plan's submission is considered complete if CMS receives all required files, regardless of who submits them. COURT RULING EXPECTED SOON ON FREE PREVENTIVE CARE The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals is expected to issue a decision within the next few months regarding the constitutionality of the Affordable Care Act's (ACA) preventive care mandate. The ACA requires non-grandfathered health plans and health insurance issuers to cover a set of recommended preventive services without imposing cost-sharing requirements, such as deductibles. In March 2023, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas struck down a key component of the ACA's preventive care mandate. More specifically, the court ruled that the preventive care coverage requirements based on an A or B rating y the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force on or after March 23, 2010, violate the U.S. Constitution. The Biden administration appealed the District Court's decision to the 5th Circuit. A ruling by the 5th Circuit is expected soon, likely followed by an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court. It is uncertain whether the 5th Circuit will reverse or uphold the District Court's ruling. However, for now, non-grandfathered health plans and issuers must continue to cover, without cost sharing, the full range of preventive car services required by the ACA. If the 5th Circuit rules that a key component of the ACA's preventive care mandate is unconstitutional, employers will want to consult with their issuers or TPAs to assess the impact on their health coverage. Provided to you by MFC Benefits, LLC © 2024 Zywave, Inc. All rights reserved Download the PDF copy here. Link: http://chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://content.zywave.com/file/b6f7a224-b3a3-4409-a8f2-953f0994d66a/Benefits%20Buzz%20Newsletter%20January%202024.docx Link: http://chrome-extension://efaidnbmnnnibpcajpcglclefindmkaj/https://content.zywave.com/file/b6f7a224-b3a3-4409-a8f2-953f0994d66a/Benefits%20Buzz%20Newsletter%20January%202024.docx
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