STRESS + ALCOHOL= More Stress

At the end of a stressful day, kicking back with a drink may sound relaxing. While alcohol can have a positive effect on mood in the short-term, it has a much stronger negative impact on mental health in the long-run.

Because alcohol is a depressant, it can make stress—as well as depression, aggression, anger, and anxiety—WORSE, if you drink more than the moderate drinking guidelines: up to two drinks per day for men and up to one drink per day for women.

And if we’re honest about our drinking habits, a lot of us drink more than that. One in five Oregonians drink excessively (more than 15 drinks a week for men and more than eight drinks a week for women).

Take a minute to evaluate the role alcohol has in your own life. Check out the Oregon Health Authority’s Rethink the Drink website for ideas on how to drink alcohol in healthier ways.

Next time you have a stressful day, try a healthier strategy to relax…like one of these:

  • Exercise. Go for a brisk walk, shoot hoops with the kids...or just move! Being active can boost your feel-good endorphins and distract you from daily worries.
  • Try relaxation methods. Get tips and techniques on a self-care app, like the EAP Plus Program, or Calm (for KP participants) and Learn to Live (for Providence participants).
  • Talk. Call a friend to talk about your challenges, or set a virtual appointment (free to you through your EAP benefits) to talk to a counselor about stress management strategies you can learn do on your own.

April is #AlcoholAwarenessMonth and #StressAwarenessMonth

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NEED HEALTH CARE? How to Choose the Best Option

Your Health Plan gives you many ways to access care conveniently, easily and for the best outcome. Here are some tips to help you choose the best type of care, depending on the situation.

Virtual visits are a convenient option for fast, non-urgent doctor visits, and to get a prescription sent to your pharmacy. It’s a good choice if you or a family member is experiencing symptoms like these:

  • Sore throat, coughing, fever, runny nose, headaches, vomiting, diarrhea
  • Asthma, allergies, heartburn/GERD, urinary problems
  • Ear pain, headaches/migraines
  • Acne, rashes, warts

In-person visits at your doctor’s office or a drop-in clinic are best when a physical exam or test is necessary. Schedule an appointment for things like this:

  • Listen to lungs, get a strep test
  • Get care for cuts/scrapes/burns, sprains, back or joint pain
  • Routine wellness visits and preventive care

Urgent care clinics are a good choice for health symptoms that need immediate attention.

  • High fever, vomiting, diarrhea, earache
  • Back or muscle pain
  • Cuts and minor burns
  • Sprains and broken bones

Emergency care is only for life- or limb-threatening conditions, like these:

  • Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
  • Heart attack signs: chest pain or pressure
  • Stroke signs: sudden, severe headache, or paralysis or weakness
  • Compound fracture (bone that protrudes through the skin)
  • Head injuries, seizures, severe abdominal pain, uncontrolled bleeding

Tip: Find out if your doctor’s office offers virtual visits and/or same-day urgent care appointments. Then you can see a provider who already knows you and your health history.

Always choose in-network providers, clinics, and hospitals for the best benefit coverage. Log in on your Carrier’s website and search for in-network care near you.

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BENEFITS 101: What Is Preauthorization?

Preauthorization means getting prior approval from your Health Plan for certain services. This helps to ensure that the treatment you receive is medically necessary, clinically appropriate, and aligns with evidence-based guidelines.

It may also help reduce your costs for expensive procedures and prescriptions by having you try a lower-cost alternative first. And it could prevent potentially addictive or dangerous medication combinations.

Preauthorization requirements are different for each Plan (see your Plan Booklet on sdtrust.com for details), but it is generally required for:

  • Planned surgery and hospitalizations
  • Medical scans, including MRIs, CTs, and cardiac imaging
  • Specialty medications

If you have a procedure done without getting preauthorization when required, your Plan will not pay your claims. Here’s how to obtain preauthorization:

  • IN-NETWORK: Your in-network doctor is responsible for obtaining preauthorization for you.
  • OUT-OF-NETWORK: You are responsible for obtaining preauthorization when required. Contact your Plan to get started.

Tip: If your doctor recommends a service that requires preapproval, ask if he or she will begin the preauthorization process right away. Getting started early will help avoid delays in your care.

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