Medicare Advantage Plus offer options that original Medicare doesn’t

Humana green logoMedicare’s Annual Election Period starts on October 15, so for people who have Medicare or care for someone who does, now is a good time to explore the available options.

Most people with Medicare go with either Original Medicare or a Medicare Advantage health plan. Both cover essentials like check-ups, hospitalizations and emergency care. Medicare Advantage plans are worth a close look because of the more comprehensive array of options they offer. Many Medicare Advantage plans, for instance, include coverage for prescription drugs. (However, for those who do go with Original Medicare, another option is to purchase a Medicare Supplement Plan – also called a Medigap plan – and/or a stand-alone Medicare prescription drug plan to help cover the costs that Original Medicare doesn’t cover.)

What is making Medicare Advantage increasingly popular for people with Medicare? With these plans, you get all the benefits of Original Medicare … and more. For instance, some Medicare Advantage plans offer:

  • Choice of a primary care physician in the plan network;
  • Affordable monthly plan premium;
  • Prescription drug coverage equal to or better than the standard requirement for a Medicare Part D plan;
  • Affordable copayments for doctor visits and annual routine physicals;
  • Emergency coverage anywhere in the world;
  • Coverage for most annual screenings at no charge; and
  • Extra benefits on some plans such as dental, vision, a nurse-advice line, and health and wellness programs – a gym membership, for instance.

A 2013 survey by North Star Opinion indicated that among the 15 million people enrolled in Medicare Advantage, 90 percent or more are satisfied with their plan and with their quality of care from network doctors.

The truth is that with Medicare Advantage, you’re partnering with a private insurer whose resources are there to help you. At Humana, for example, we provide our members with guidance and support through programs like Humana At Home care coordination. We also offer the Humana SmartSummary, which details members’ individual medical and prescription drug spending, which helps them track overall health care spending.

In order to choose the right plan, you might want to review your records to see how much you’ve spent on health care during the past year. (Be sure to include hospital expenses, pharmacy costs and doctor bills.) Determine if the past year is typical and try to give your best estimate for the year ahead.

Remember that whatever plan you choose will likely be yours for all of 2015. So I encourage you to do your research and choose carefully. Find a company you can trust to be a reliable health partner. The Medicare Annual Election Period runs from October 15 to December 7.

For additional information, please visit www.Humana-Medicare.com.

Article by Dan Tufto, Regional President of Senior Products Humana of Texas

About Dan Tufto
Dan Tufto, Regional President of Senior Products for Humana, is responsible for the overall operations, management and strategic planning for Humana’s Medicare Advantage and Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug Plans in Texas with offices in Dallas/Fort Worth, Austin, El Paso, Corpus Christi, San Antonio and Houston.

August Word from the Chairman

Turner_Annie-Chairmans-photo-PRAdvocacy Alert: Storm Water Fee “Postponed Indefinitely” by Mayor, City Manager
Your North San Antonio Chamber has been hard at work for you as we attended stakeholder meetings for the proposed City of San Antonio Storm Water Fee changes. Over the last several weeks, we reviewed and provided comments on the proposed Storm Water Fee rate and methodology restructuring. While we recognize the need to fund critical drainage programs across the City, we did not agree with the proposed methodology and rates that were proposed to take effect in FY15 and FY16, respectively. We took the issue to the North SA Chamber board, which voted at the July board meeting to oppose the fee changes. After an advocacy campaign that included a letter to City staff and elected officials, an email alert to members, media interviews and social media posts, we were pleased to learn from Mayor Ivy R. Taylor at this month’s sold-out Mayor’s Vision for San Antonio event that she was recommending to the City Manager that the proposed Storm Water Fee changes be “postponed indefinitely.”

We couldn’t be happier with Mayor Taylor’s decision and Manager Sheryl Sculley’s willingness to revisit the Storm Water Fee methodology, while also removing it from the FY15 budget. We will continue to work in partnership with City staff and officials to identify a reasonable methodology and rate structure that will not impede business expansion, retention or recruitment, while still allowing the City to secure the funding it requires for the important drainage infrastructure maintenance and capital improvement projects our districts need.

You can read and watch coverage from Mayor’s Vision for San Antonio here:

Rivard Report, WOAI 4, KENS 5, KSAT 12, KABB 29

Advocacy Alert: Support for Constitutional Amendment for Increased Funding for Transportation
A strong transportation infrastructure is fundamental to Texas’ quality of life and economic vitality, attracting new businesses and generating new jobs. According to the latest report of the 2030 Commission, approximately $6.1 billion per year in construction funding is needed to achieve “worst possible” transportation conditions and $9.5 billion per year is need to achieve “minimally competitive” transportation conditions. The current State budget results in a $1.1 billion shortfall in transportation construction funding and that shortfall will increase to $3.5 billion in the next biennium based on current revenue projections.

Thus, the North San Antonio Chamber board of directors supports the proposed constitutional amendment to provide for the transfer of certain general revenue to the economic stabilization and state highway funds, and for the dedication of the revenue transferred to the state highway fund to be used only for developing public road rolls (not toll roads) and that those dedicated funds be allocated by the Texas Department of Transportation in a manner consistent with existing formulas to ensure that the entire state benefits from this additional funding. The proposed amendment will be on the November 4, 2014 ballot and we encourage you to vote in favor of the amendment that increases funding for transportation. Help to keep Texas moving!

Announcing – North SA Chamber Member Benefit Solutions program by MetLife

We’re proud to announce that we have teamed up with MetLife to present the North SA Chamber Member Benefit Solutions program that offers members with 2 to 999 employees competitive group rates for life, dental, disability and vision coverage. The program features a product suite including:

  • Basic Term Life Insurance including Supplemental Term Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D)
  • Group Dental Benefits that include Pediatric Dental Essential Health Benefits (EHB), where appropriate
  • Employer-Sponsored Short- & Long-term Disability
  • Voluntary Short-term Disability (VSTD)
  • VisionAccess Program*

*   The MetLife VisionAccess program is a discount program and not an insured benefit. It is provided through Vision Service Plan (VSP), Rancho Cordova, CA. VSP is not affiliated with Metropolitan Life Insurance Company or its affiliates.

Learn more about Member Benefit Solutions program by MetLife

To learn more about how MetLife can benefit you, we encourage you to contact your agent or broker or search the FIND A MEMBER online directory to find a North SA Chamber member agent or broker.

Like most group insurance policies, MetLife group policies contain certain exclusions, exceptions, waiting periods, reductions, limitations, and terms for keeping them in force. Eligibility varies by product based on the number of eligible versus participating employees. Ask your MetLife group representative for costs and complete details.

 

 

July Word from the Chairman

Turner_Annie-Chairmans-photo-PR

New Exclusive Member Benefit
As you may know, the North SA Chamber has endeavored to help you amplify your involvement with additional benefits including enhanced digital and online resources and exclusive member programming like special rates for employee benefits. In fact, many of you may have participated in the prior discounted group medical program that was discontinued earlier this year in accordance with the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

Throughout the economic recovery and phased implementation of ACA, we have educated members on the law’s impact on business operations, and now it’s quite satisfying to be able to offer our members access to rich supplemental benefits and rates that comply with ACA law.

Introducing – North SA Chamber Member Benefit Solutions program by MetLife
We’re proud to announce that we have teamed up with MetLife to present the North SA Chamber Member Benefit Solutions program that offers members competitive group rates for life, dental, disability and vision coverage. The North SA Chamber Member Benefit Solutions program by MetLife provides our small business members with less than 10 employees access to plans that they would not have been able to obtain on their own, while also expanding the benefit offering to organizations with up to 999 employees – and the product suite is available through any area insurance agent or broker.

I want to recognize and thank board member and Membership Council Chair, Aaron Seaman with SWBC, for working to bring this new supplemental coverage program to North SA Chamber members.It was through Aaron’s leadership and a willingness by MetLife to serve customers through the association marketplace that the plan was conceptualized over several months and brought to fruition. I want to commend MetLife for tailoring their approach to offer insurance products to fit the specific needs of the North SA Chamber membership.

Learn more about Member Benefit Solutions program by MetLife

To learn more about how MetLife can benefit you, we encourage you to contact your agent or broker or search the FIND A MEMBER online directory to find a North SA Chamber member agent or broker.

North SA Chamber Member Benefit Solutions program by MetLife
The program offers competitive group rates for North SA Chamber members with 2 to 999 employees, featuring a Product Suite including:

  • Basic Term Life Insurance including Supplemental Term Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D)
  • Group Dental Benefits that include Pediatric Dental Essential Health Benefits (EHB), where appropriate
  • Employer-Sponsored Short & Long Term Disability
  • Voluntary Short-term Disability (VSTD)
  • VisionAccess Program*

Now is an exciting time for the North SA Chamber, our members and our growing city. We welcome you and your employees to participate and hope you’ll be able to take advantage of this exclusive member benefit.

Like most group insurance policies, MetLife group policies contain certain exclusions, exceptions, waiting periods, reductions, limitations, and terms for keeping them in force. Eligibility varies by product based on the number of eligible versus participating employees. Ask your MetLife group representative for costs and complete details.

*   The MetLife VisionAccess program is a discount program and not an insured benefit. It is provided through Vision Service Plan (VSP), Rancho Cordova, CA. VSP is not affiliated with Metropolitan Life Insurance Company or its affiliates.

Turning 65? Know your Medicare options

Humana green logoApproximately 11,000 adults become eligible for Medicare every day, reflecting a dramatically increasing senior population, and that number is only going to grow. The U.S. Census Bureau predicts there will be nearly 47 million seniors age 65 and up in 2015 and about 72.1 million seniors – nearly 20 percent of the population – by 2030.[i], [ii]

Here in Texas, the 65 and older population is expected to increase from 11.7 percent of the overall population in 2014 to 15.6 percent of the overall population by 2030.[iii]

Health concerns are a major issue for seniors, with nine of 10 older adults living with at least one chronic condition, such as diabetes, arthritis, hypertension or lung disease, according to the National Council on Aging.[iv] Making matters worse, these conditions place a significant financial burden on seniors and, sometimes, their caregivers. As a result, there’s a clear need for access to affordable health care that meets the needs of individuals as they age.

As San Antonio residents approach their 65th birthday, it is important for them to know their Medicare options, including when they can enroll and the types of health plans available.

Seniors should keep an eye out for materials from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services in the months leading up to their 65th birthday. In the meantime, it can’t hurt to pull information together to prepare. Following are tips to help seniors and their caregivers as they begin the Medicare plan selection process:

Know Your Options. You will want to find a plan that provides the health care coverage you need and maximizes your health care dollars. In general, your options include:

  • Original Medicare (Parts A and B) is a federal insurance program that offers basic coverage for hospital care and medical expenses and no coverage for prescriptions. Beneficiaries typically must pay a premium for Part B coverage. Many find they need additional coverage for services not covered by Original Medicare.
  • Medicare Supplement plans pay some of the costs that Original Medicare doesn’t cover, including deductibles and coinsurance. Beneficiaries must pay an additional premium.
  • A Medicare Prescription Drug Plan (PDP), or Medicare Part D, provides prescription drug coverage, helps lower prescription drug expenses and protects against higher costs in the future. Beneficiaries must pay an additional premium.
  • Medicare Advantage (Part C) typically provides extra benefits, services and often prescription drug coverage. Beneficiaries may or may not pay an additional premium.

Know Your Medicare Advantage and Prescription Drug Plan Enrollment Timeframe. This year, during the Annual Election Period (AEP) from Oct. 15 to Dec. 7, seniors who are eligible for Medicare can review Medicare Advantage and Medicare Part D plan options and select health care coverage for 2015. However, people turning 65 before October can enroll earlier in the year. In fact, they have a seven-month window – known as the Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) – to enroll. This includes the three months before their 65th birthday, the month of their birthday and the three following months. If a 64-year-old enrolls in the first three months of their IEP, their benefits kick in on the first day of the month of their birthday.[v] If they enroll during the remainder of their IEP, their benefits will be effective on the first day of the following month.

Know Your Medical Cost History. Review your records to see how much you spent on health care during the past year. This should include hospital expenses, pharmacy costs and doctor bills. Then, determine if the previous year was typical, and try to calculate your best estimate for health care costs in the year ahead.

Know Your Resources. If you are considering a Medicare Advantage plan, research the costs, benefits and network of doctors and hospitals associated with each plan. Take advantage of resources available to help you with the research to make an informed choice. The government’s Medicare website, www.medicare.gov, is a good resource that lets you find and compare Medicare health and prescription drug plans in your area. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services make it easier to navigate the Medicare landscape by rating health plans on a five-star assessment grade.

Compare Benefits. Insurers often offer multiple Medicare Advantage plans from which beneficiaries can choose to fit their specific life, income and health situations. Benefits from these plans may include primary care and specialty office visits, routine physical and preventive care, unlimited medically necessary inpatient hospital days and worldwide emergency care. Some plans include membership in fitness classes and lifestyle enrichment programs.

Guard Against Fraud. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services prohibit Medicare Advantage carriers from proactively contacting you by phone or in-person. They can only reach out to you once you have initiated contact. To protect yourself from potential scams, don’t give personal information to any uninvited home visitors or solicitors who call selling Medicare Advantage or Medicare Prescription Drug Plan products.If you’re approaching your 65th birthday, it is important to start considering Medicare options to select the plan that best fits all of your needs.

By Dan Tufto

Dan Tufto is President of Senior Products for Humana in Texas with responsibility for the overall strategic direction and growth of Humana’s Medicare Advantage business in the state.

[i] Administration on Aging, 2008 datahttp://www.aoa.gov/AoARoot/Aging_Statistics/index.aspx

[ii] Administration on Aging, 2008 datahttp://www.aoa.gov/AoARoot/Aging_Statistics/future_growth/docs/By_Age_and_Gender_Persons_65_and_over.xls

[iii] Administration on Aging, 2005 datahttp://www.aoa.gov/AoARoot/Aging_Statistics/future_growth/DOCS/State-persons_65-age-projections-2005-2030.xls

[iv] National Council on Aging, 2011 fact sheethttp://www.ncoa.org/improve-health/center-for-healthy-aging/chronic-disease

[v] Medicare.gov, no datehttp://www.medicare.gov/sign-up-change-plans/get-parts-a-and-b/when-coverage-starts/when-coverage-starts.html

Leadership Lab Chair: Lisa Pinto, SWBC

Pinto_LisaAbout the Company: SWBC is a diversified financial services company providing a wide range of insurance, investments, mortgages, employee benefits, and more to individuals, businesses, and financial institutions. I am the Assistant Vice President of Marketing and Public Relations. I am responsible for the company’s public relations efforts and working with the media throughout the country. I also lead our business-to-business marketing efforts.

About the Program: Leadership Lab is an award-winning program that fosters and enhances leadership by focusing on a foundation of relationship building and professional development utilizing new and innovative practices. More than just a nine-month experience—the relationships nurtured and the personal development gained from the program inspire greatness in personal and organizational leadership.

Personally Speaking: Lisa is a 2008 graduate of the North San Antonio Chamber Leadership Lab. Lisa says, “This program is a wonderful personal and professional development course that helps all of the area’s rising stars! It helped me tremendously as I became a manager with SWBC.” Lisa also serves on the Chamber’s Gala creative committee.

SWBC wins Bronze – 2013 Brandon Hall Group Excellence in Learning, Talent Management, and Sales and Marketing Awards

180x150-SWBCSWBC, a leader in innovative training, recently won a coveted Brandon Hall Group Bronze award for excellence in the Compliance Training category for their Security Awareness Training.

“It is an honor to be recognized, especially for this particular category,” said Mandy Smith, Director of Training and Employee Development for SWBC. “Our clients include individuals, businesses, and financial institutions. It is critical that SWBC employees understand the responsibility we have.”

All SWBC employees are required to complete the Security Awareness Training annually. In addition, new employees are required to complete it within 30 days of being hired. The interactive, online training is divided into five sections: data privacy and protection, physical security, computer security, corporate email, and social engineering.

“We are extremely proud to honor our 2013 award-winning organizations for their remarkable achievements,” said Mike Cooke, Chief Executive Officer of Brandon Hall Group, Inc. “This elite group of organizations excelled in developing measurable, sustainable programs that produced outstanding business results.”

The entries were evaluated by a panel of veteran, independent senior industry experts and Brandon Hall Group Sr. Analysts and Executive Leadership based upon the following criteria: fit the need, design of the program, functionality, innovation, and overall measurable benefits.

SWBC, along with the other winners, are listed at http://go.brandonhall.com/Excellence_Awards_Home.

About SWBC
Headquartered in San Antonio, SWBC is a diversified financial services company providing a wide range of insurance, mortgage, and investment services to financial institutions, businesses, and individuals. With offices across the country, SWBC is committed to providing quality products, outstanding service, and customized solutions in all 50 states. For more information, visit SWBC’s website at www.swbc.com.

SWBC Insurance Partners Earns Recognition from Safeco Insurance


SWBC
SWBC Insurance Partners is excited to announce that it has earned two top honors from Safeco Insurance®  – the prestigious Chairman’s Award and membership in the Premier Partner program.

The Chairman’s Award, which celebrates an agency’s success with Safeco, is given to about 50 elite agencies in the United States each year. The Premier Partner distinction recognizes excellent performance as well, providing agencies with access to special programs designed to help grow their business while maintaining high standards of service for customers.

“SWBC Insurance Partners has been nothing but spectacular for Safeco and has consistently been ranked as one of our top performers in the nation,” said John Balentine, Safeco Territory Manager. “Their ability to attract top talent, generate new business, and maintain strong retention levels while driving commendable profits is unparalleled by any agency I’ve ever worked with. Without question, SWBC Insurance Partners is one of the best agencies in the business today.”

“Our employees here at SWBC are fully committed to our customers,” said Frank Castellano, Vice President of SWBC Insurance Partners. “We strive to ensure their complete satisfaction, and we make earning and maintaining their trust a priority. Receiving these recognitions is truly an honor, and we will continue to strive toward providing the best customer service possible.”

For more information on how SWBC Insurance Partners can help generate income while increasing the loyalty of your financial institution customers call (866)316-1162 or visit

www.swbc.com.

About SWBC

Headquartered in San Antonio, SWBC is a diversified financial services company providing a wide range of insurance, mortgage, and investment services to financial institutions, businesses, and individuals. With offices across the country, SWBC is committed to providing quality products, outstanding service, and customized solutions in all 50 states. For more information, please visit SWBC’s website at www.swbc.com.

About Safeco Insurance

In business since 1923 and based in Seattle, Wash., Safeco Insurance sells personal automobile, homeowners, and specialty products through a network of more than 10,000 independent insurance agencies throughout the United States. Safeco is a Liberty Mutual Insurance company. Boston-based Liberty Mutual Insurance is a diversified global insurer and the third largest property and casualty insurer in the U.S. based on 2012 direct premiums written as reported by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners. Liberty Mutual Insurance also ranks 81st on the Fortune 100 list of largest U.S. corporations, based on 2012 revenue.

 

 

Why People Make Choices They Know Are Unhealthy

By Linda T. Hummel
President of the Employer Group Business Segment, Humana of Texas

Humana green logoAmericans are constantly bombarded by health information. Television, magazines, the Internet, and other media sources are replete with information about the critical role that healthy behaviors play in preventing disease, improving quality of life, and reducing long-term healthcare costs. As a result, most people understand the crucial importance of regular exercise and healthy eating to long-term health.

One would think that this abundance of data would yield a nation full of people who are in excellent shape and run little risk of developing conditions like diabetes, hypertension, or heart disease, says Laura Ten Eyck, Ph.D., a clinical outcomes expert with LifeSynch, the wholly-owned behavioral health and change subsidiary of Humana Inc. “But many Americans continue to make unhealthy choices despite the overwhelming evidence that they shouldn’t,” Dr. Eyck says.

People have many different reasons for choosing not to engage in healthy behaviors, and Dr. Eyck has identified the following as three such reasons.

‘They’re just trying to scare me’
Scare tactics, or “fear appeal,” are a common approach in health messaging, highlighting the negative consequences associated with engaging in harmful behaviors or choosing not to engage in healthful behaviors; however, extensive studies show a relatively consistent result: Fear appeal rarely works (Ruiter, Abraham, & Kok, 2001).

Why? Evidence shows that when people hear or read health messages and realize that they fall into the group being targeting, they are very likely to discredit the evidence (Pyszczynski, Greenberg, & Holt, 1985). They say to themselves, “They’re just trying to scare me,” and fail to take action.

‘There’s always someone in worse shape than me’
Dr. Eyck says another way people talk themselves out of worrying about their current health status is by comparing themselves to others they perceive as “worse off.” Many unconsciously rationalize their condition as minimal compared to someone else’s.

There is ample research evidence to support this conclusion. When research subjects have the opportunity to compare themselves to someone else on a specific characteristic such as weight, they often choose someone who will make them appear in a more favorable light (Wills, 1981). “By engaging in this type of comparison, they protect their self-image and self-esteem, which often helps them maintain a sense of wellbeing,” Dr. Eyck explained. “Their unconscious choices communicate a clear message: ‘There’s always someone in worse shape than me.’”

‘It’s not my fault’
A third excuse people unconsciously make also involves comparison with others. People tend to believe that their own choices and actions are driven by external factors they cannot control, while other people’s choices and actions are driven by internal factors. This tendency is called the actor-observer effect (Jones & Nisbett, 1972). It absolves the person making the comparison from any responsibility for his or her actions, letting him or her say, in effect, “It’s not my fault.”

A better approach
The field of psychology has evolved over the years to address poor choices. Positive psychology is a relatively new approach, starting in the late 1990s. Dr. Eyck says psychologists who subscribe to this methodology focus on what is best about people, based on an extensive study of character qualities common to all humans. We have seen positive psychology applied to other health and behavioral health disciplines. But why is it a good fit? Dr. Eyck notes research shows us that happy, optimistic people:

  • Are healthier. They have stronger immune systems and are less likely to get sick.
  • Recover more quickly from illness.
  • Have fewer health complications.
  • Live longer.

In a coaching or counseling situation, the coach assesses the strengths of the client and then leverages those strengths to help the client achieve a stated goal. The emphasis shifts from the scare tactics, the victim mentality, and the helpless feelings to “How can I use my strengths to attain my goal?” People feel empowered, motivated, and encouraged, and they can choose to increase their overall happiness and fulfillment

To learn more about how LifeSynch can help your organization improve the lives of your employees or members contact lsproductrequest@lifesynch.comor visit LifeSynch.com.

Linda T. Hummel is President of the Employer Group Division for Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM) in Texas. A 22-year veteran with Humana, Hummel is responsible for the overall management and strategic planning for Humana’s statewide commercial operations and products, which include health maintenance organizations (HMO), preferred provider organizations (PPO), self-insured plans (ASO), point-of-service plans (POS), Group Medicare plans, specialty benefit products and HumanaVitality, a comprehensive health, wellness and loyalty solution. 

References
Aspinwall, L. G. (1998). “Rethinking the Role of Positive Affect in Self-Regulation.” Motivation and Emotion, Vol 22, No 1.

Jones, E. E., & Nisbett, R. E., (1971). “The actor and the observer: Divergent perceptions of the causes of behavior.” Morristown, NJ: General Learning Press.

Pyszczynski, T., Greenberg, J., & Holt, K. (1985). “Maintaining consistency between self-serving beliefs and available data: A bias in information processing.” Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 11, 179-190.

Ruiter, R.A.C., Abraham, C., & Kok, G. (2001). “Scary warnings and rational precautions: A review of the psychology of fear appeals.” Psychology and Health, 16, 313-630.

Sherman, D. K., & Cohen, G. L. (2006). “The psychology of self-defense: Self-affirmation theory.” In M. P. Zanna (Ed.) Advances in Experimental Social Psychology (Vol. 38, pp. 183-242). San Diego, CA: Academic Press.

Wills, T. A. (1981). “Downward comparison principles in social psychology.” Psychological Bulletin, 90, 245-271.

Define Your Employees’ Health with Specialty Benefits

Humana green logoBy Linda T. Hummel, President of the Employer Group Division Humana in Texas

How do your employees define health? Is it being able to run a mile? Is it being able to zip last year’s jeans? Is it feeling happy or fulfilled?

Health can mean something different to each individual. However, to truly achieve well-being, one must be healthy on several levels – physically, mentally, emotionally, socially and financially.

Therefore, when San Antonio employers are choosing what benefits to offer their workers, it is important for them to realize there is a wide range of specialty insurance products and wellness services available, and each one is designed to help customers achieve lifelong well-being.

Let’s use dental coverage as an example. More than 90 percent of diseases – including heart disease, diabetes and cancer – show up in a mouth first. A dentist is often the first medical provider to find health problems. Good dental care can also lead to savings on medical care. The Journal of Periodontology found that health care costs were 21 percent higher for patients with severe gum disease than for those without gum problems.

Healthy eyes are also an important part of living a healthy and full life. By taking steps to improve your sight and protect your eyes from harm, you have a great chance of seeing and living well for many years.

If a small business cannot afford to sponsor dental or vision insurance for their employees, some benefits providers offer affordable individual plans. Humana, for instance, offers individual dental plans, which cover preventive services with no waiting periods, and an individual vision plan with a $10 co-pay for an eye exam.

The connection between physical health and overall well-being goes beyond a person’s senses. On more than one occasion, you have probably checked your bank account and had an emotional reaction – positive or negative.

During the recent economic downturn, it became increasingly clear that a person’s well-being is tied to financial security. Due to increased interest, health care providers are offering myriad financial protection plans – including critical illness plans that protect individual or family finances during serious illnesses and term life insurance policies for children up to 25 years old – to make financial security a reality.

In addition to simply assisting in your employees’ physical and mental health, these benefits help to reassure them that you are providing a work environment where their well-being and happiness is a priority.

Linda T. Hummel is President of the Employer Group Division for Humana Inc. (NYSE: HUM) in Texas. A 22-year veteran with Humana, Hummel is responsible for the overall management and strategic planning for Humana’s statewide commercial operations and products, which include health maintenance organizations (HMO), preferred provider organizations (PPO), self-insured plans (ASO), point-of-service plans (POS), Group Medicare plans, specialty benefit products and HumanaVitality, a comprehensive health, wellness and loyalty solution.