When you think about wellness do you think about color? Some people may, but many people don’t. Next time you look at your plate think about how many colors you have. Are you eating through the rainbow? If your plate is all white or all green there is a problem. Research shows that having a variety of colored food on your plate helps with wellness. Therefore, next time you are at the grocery store check out some of these colorful foods that will not only make your plate beautiful but also make you feel strong and healthy.

1. Yellow: yellow foods such as sweetcorn and yellow bell peppers are rich in carotenoids, which are powerful antioxidants that protect you from damaging free radicals.

2. Orange & Red: orange and red foods often derive their color from carotenoids such as beta-carotene. Tomatoes and watermelon are rich in another carotenoid called lycopene. These carotenoids in these fruits and vegetables are extremely strong antioxidants which fight skin aging and help to keep you looking younger and in the best of health.

3. Blue, Purple & Red: beetroot, red grapes and berries get their red, blue and purple hues from a group of phytonutrients called flavonoid, these are very powerful antioxidants. Some of them are even more powerful than vitamin C.

4. Purple: among the most powerful group of nutrients are the pigments which give the purple color to blueberries, blackberries, blackcurrants, acai berries and red grapes. These fruits are full of antioxidants that keep you healthy and feeling strong.

As the days get brighter and warmer be sure that you are taking advantage of all the colorful fruits and vegetables that are available in your local grocery store. Your body will thank you.

Has your insurance broker informed you of electronic enrollment? Are you tired of losing papers and wasting trees? Now is the time to consider electronic enrollment for your company this new technology is aimed at improving the benefits management process and can enhance the efficiency of data transmitted from the employer. Here are a few advantages of using electronic enrollment.

1. Electronic enrollment keeps your employees personal information more secure than paper enrollment.

2. The information from electronic enrollment is more accurate because there is less room for error. With paper enrollment the forms have to be read and the data entered into the system leaving a higher chance for entry mistakes.

3. With electronic enrollment information is uploaded into the carriers system much faster, generally with a 24-hour turnaround compared to paper enrollment, which can take 3-5 business days.

4. Electronic eligibility produces a more accurate billing statement in a short period of time.

5. Electronic enrollment allows the employer to access the companies benefit plan quickly and easily.

6. Electronic enrollment not only allows the employer to access benefit plans but employees have immediate access to information about the companies benefit options.

Next time you speak with your benefits adviser ask them about electronic enrollment and how it can help your company be more efficient.

We are excited to announce that we were featured on CNN Headline News and Fox Business News on Saturday, March 27th. To view the interview please go to www.baypointbenefits.com.

Here are some of Brian Hassan and Justin Roberts, two Managing Directors at the Firm thoughts on the challenges and solutions associated with employee benefits in a recession.

“Many employees consider workplace benefits to be the foundation of their personal safety net, and they have expressed greater interest in learning more about the benefits offered through their workplace as a result of the economic environment,” states Brian Hassan, a Managing Director at BayPoint Benefits. He continues, “While both employers and employees believe that benefits are a significant part of the decision to choose and stay with an employer, the types of benefits employees most value are perceived differently by the employees and the employer.”

“There is also been a growing concern about controlling costs. Increasing productivity has become a top objective – perhaps because employers are faced with the realities of accomplishing more with fewer employees,” comments Justin Roberts, a Managing Director with BayPoint Benefits. “That places even greater importance on maximizing workforce productivity during these tough economic times.”

Check out the live airing at www.baypointbenefits.com

The days are getting longer, warmer, and what’s better than getting healthy and fit in Spring? How many times have you wished you had started getting beach ready in early Spring rather than waiting until June 1. You are not alone if you are the procrastinator. Instead of waiting get going with these 8 easy tips.

1. Start walking to and from work. Wake up a few minutes early, if you wear heels to work, put them in your bag and wear your walking shoes to work. Change quickly when you get to work. The days are longer so you can walk home from work in the light, you’ll sleep better from the exercise and you’ll perform better at work.

2. Stay Active on the weekends. It’s easy to get lazy on the weekends, however, in the Spring the weather is beautiful, so plan a hike, bike ride, or walk with a friend.

3. Eat more vegetables. Make a salad everyday. There are great recipes for spring salads, try including mandarin oranges or apples in your salad, a little fruit mixed with spinach or lettuce is a great spring treat.

4. Clean out your pantry. Spring cleaning is popular, however, have you thought about Spring cleaning your pantry. Clean out all the chips, old cereal, soups you haven’t eaten, start with a fresh pantry full of healthy food.

5. Find a Spring workout buddy. It’s always easier to get in shape and make a goal when you do it with a friend. Find a friend who has the same goals and wants to workout with you at least 4 times a week. Plan a walking/running day, gyms days, and possibly a swimming day if you have a pool you can swim at.

6. Go to your local Farmers Market. The best fruits and vegetables you can get are at your local Farmer’s Market. Pick a day when you go to the Farmer’s Market and get your produce for the week.

7. Laugh everyday. If you find yourself stressed try to relax and laugh. You burn calories when you laugh and you’ll feel better at work and at home. Don’t take life to seriously.

8. Spring into a new sport. If you find yourself always doing the same machines at the gym, try another machine, or if you find yourself always running, try swimming or biking. If you play golf on the weekends, try tennis or another sport that is outdoors.

Happy Spring!

You think you know it all when it comes to discounts, using the coupon you get in the mail for Bed Bath and Beyond, savings with your Gap Card, however, did you know you can get a discount by just having health insurance. Blue Shield is an example of an insurance carrier that offers discounts to help you stay healthy and fit. Blue Shields discounts include:

1. 24 Hour Fitness – offers discounted fees, waived enrollment fees, waived processing fees, discounted initiations fees, and discounted monthly dues.

2. Weight Watchers – offers online savings, such as $10 off each three-month and 12-month subscription. At-home kits and special member pricing, meeting vouchers, and discounts on local meetings.

3. Health and Wellness Products – receive discounted rates on vitamins, herbal supplements, homeopathic remedies, diet and sports nutrition, yoga and fitness equipment, personal body care, health and wellness books, audio and DVD products.

Next time you talk to your Broker or your HR Department don’t forget to ask about the discounts your insurance carrier offers.

Start saving and get healthy and fit this spring!

You would be surprised at the amount of people who don’t know the differences between a PPO and a HMO. Has your benefit adviser explained this to you?
Read this and you will forever know a few of the important differences.

HMO
1. Definition – HMO, Health Maintenance Organization.

2. With a HMO one can see only doctors or hospitals on their list of providers.

3. HMO generally requires that one choose a primary care physician, who will direct care and refer patients to approved specialists.

4. HMOs typically provide no coverage for care received from non-network physicians, unless it’s for emergency care provided while traveling away from your home area.

PPO
1. Definition – PPO, Preferred Provider Organization.

2. With a PPO, one can see any doctor one wishes, or visit any hospital one chooses, usually within a preferred network of providers.

3. With a PPO one does not have to designate a primary care physician, and one can usually see any specialist without referral.

4. PPO members are not required to stay within the PPO network, but there is usually a strong financial incentive to do so.