BACK-TO-SCHOOL: Keep YOURSELF Healthy Checklist

Are YOU prepared for a HEALTHY new school year? You’re busy checking the boxes on your kids’ back-to-school checklists. But you need one too! Make a plan to take care of yourself to avoid getting sick, stressed, or burned out. Here’s how:

Physically …

  • Take everyday actions to prevent the spread of germs: wash/sanitize your hands often, disinfect shared surfaces, and avoid touching your face.
  • Get a flu vaccine and COVID booster in September or October before flu season begins.
  • Boost immunity and fight infection by eating a balanced diet, getting enough sleep, and exercising daily.
  • Take care of preventive care. Schedule appointments for routine health, dental and vision checkups.

And mentally…

  • The Employee Assistance Program offers online and in-app tips to improve resilience, manage stress, and keep mentally fit. In addition, you have access to eight free counseling sessions. It’s always confidential and there’s no cost to you.
  • Your Health Plan offers free mental wellness apps (in addition to in-person and virtual counseling). Click below to find out what’s available to you:

Resources

IF YOUR KIDS CAN DO IT, SO CAN YOU: Keep Your Immunizations Current

Vaccines help your immune system develop antibodies to fight off diseases before you are exposed to them and can reduce your risk for severe illness.

Make sure your own immunizations are up to date while you’re taking care of the kids’ back-to-school requirements. Vaccines recommended for adults protect against:

  • Flu and COVID-19: The new “FLiRT” variant caused increased cases of COVID-19 this summer. Reduce your risk of illness (and the symptoms of “long COVID”) by getting a COVID-19 booster along with your flu shot this fall.
  • HPV (human papillomaviruses): Protect yourself against diseases (including cancer) caused by this sexually transmitted infection; get vaccinated by age 26.
  • Shingles: If you’ve had chickenpox, you can get shingles, a painful rash that develops in 30% of the population. Vaccination in adults 50 years or older reduces their risk by more than 90%.
  • Pneumococcal disease: This bacterial infection can cause pneumonia, bloodstream infections, or meningitis. Vaccination in adults 65 years or older reduces the risk of serious illness and death.

Your Health Plan pays 100% for the cost of recommended vaccines received from an in-network provider. It’s easier than ever to get vaccines at your local in-network pharmacy or call your doctor’s office to schedule an appointment and discuss which vaccines are right for you.

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GOT QUESTIONS? Get Answers Fast

Looking for information? Know where to go to get answers fast:

  • To see your current enrollment selections and covered dependents:
  • To use your benefits, go to your Plan carrier’s website (for example, Kaiser Permanente, Providence Health, VSP, Delta Dental, and The Standard). Register for a secure personal account, then log in to search for an in-network provider, get benefit coverage details, view your claims and Explanation of Benefits (EOBs) statements, schedule appointments, and more.
  • For general information about your Trust benefits, go to sdtrust.com. You can see your all of the benefits available to you through your Plan, learn how you can change your benefits selections and add or remove a dependent from coverage midyear, get forms, view your benefit handbook, and much more.

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