Living Above the Noise

Living Above the Noise

Greetings for a mindful moment,

Have you ever arrived somewhere unfamiliar yet felt instantly at home? I've felt this intrinsic connection while navigating the benefits industry for years. It’s a complex, often unfamiliar, frustrating landscape—painful, broken, and excessively expensive. Our healthcare system, burdened with these flaws, demands our attention and action. That alone can cause us stress and mental destruction.

My unwavering commitment to improving the world is also inspired by Maria Shriver's philosophy of living 'above the noise,' which feels more crucial than ever amid current protests, the global crisis, and uncertainties. This commitment is not just mine but ours. It's deeply intertwined with our collective journey of healing and recovery from the radical crises of our time.

My belief in seeing the best in people, offering second chances, and staying open to the positive aspects of humanity is deeply rooted in my personal journey. As close friends celebrate milestones, such as turning 50, and 60 this past month, I'm reminded of the uncharted territory of my own life's journey. The journey of our mental growth is daunting, with the expectations of aging. Yet, it marked the beginning of a new, enriching chapter.

Celebrating life is tough when it feels like an immense struggle, often defying logic. We question, does life make sense? In these moments, I consider our part in the collective karma of health and well-being. Our past actions shape our present journey, teaching us essential lessons on the path to a brighter future.

As we celebrate the awareness of the increasing mental health conversation this month and reflect on Mother's Day and the upcoming Memorial weekend, it's important to remember that mental health matters. Neglecting it can adversely affect one’s physical well-being. Prioritizing mental and behavioral health is essential for overall wellness and quality of life.

Some key mental and behavioral health topics and countless ways to support our journey in connecting with our minds - it's a continuous process, not a destination. Here are critical areas of mental health that we need to keep in mind:

🧠The ballooning youth mental health crisis
🧠Substance abuse disorder and addiction management
🧠Founder and leadership mental health in the workplace
🧠The access gap in treatments for acute mental illness
🧠The demand for mental resilience and wellness solutions
🧠Caring for the mental health of our aging population

Remember to reach out when you need help and learn the tools to prevent breakdowns. Create a space for yourself to become happier every day. Here's to our collective growth and a future filled with hope and resilience. Remember, we're in this together.

Warm wishes for a happier Memorial weekend,

Naama & The RightPlan team
❤

Employers

Employers can help reduce pressure and stress, but employees must be willing to accept this help. Employers and teams should openly discuss employees' mental health. We can create a culture that values well-being and promotes positive mental health practices by fostering open dialogue and providing support. This approach can help us create well-rounded and balanced teams, enabling them to focus on productivity and contribute to organizational growth. Prioritizing and actively supporting mental health has a profound and empowering impact in many ways:

🎯 Prioritize self-care

🛡 Set healthy boundaries

🤝 Seek support

🏃‍♀️ Stay active

⚖ Maintain work-life balance

🧘‍♂️ Practice mindfulness

💬 Share experiences and tips

IFP/Covered CA

The Biden Administration's recent policy change is a significant development for DACA recipients. It has expanded access to ACA plans, allowing approximately 100,000 'Dreamers' to enroll in ACA health insurance plans next year. This change redefines 'lawfully present' to include DACA recipients, enabling them to participate in the ACA marketplace. While over 800,000 DACA participants are eligible, the administration estimates that about 100,000 will sign up. However, it's important to note that this decision does not extend to Medicaid eligibility for DACA recipients.

Ongoing legal challenges to DACA by Republican-led states add uncertainty about the future rights and protections available to Dreamers. We will provide more updates on this subject as we approach Open Enrollment 2025.

HSA 2025 

The IRS has released the 2025 contribution limits for HSAs and the maximum amount for excepted benefit HRAs. In 2025, the annual contribution limit for self-only coverage under a high-deductible health plan is $4,300, an increase from $4,150 in 2024. The family contribution is $8,550, an increase from $8,300.

Expenses that are HSA (HDHP) Eligible for 2025:

✔️Allergy medications Blood pressure monitors Body scans Coinsurance Copayments Deductibles Dentures Doctor visits Eye drops Eye exams Hearing aids Period supplies Prescription contacts lenses Prescription sunglasses Sleep aids.

✔️A wheelchair

You cannot use your HSA to pay for items reimbursed by your insurance plan or another party. So, if your insurance plan reimbursed you for a dental visit, you cannot use your HSA to pay for that expense. 

Medicare

We suggest supporting H.R. 8712:

Medicare Enrollment Protection Act of 2024!

This will allow us to improve Medicare enrollment for employees who qualify for Cobra
Read more about it here

Out and about with Naama

Naama at the opening of the WLS -Women Leadership Summit in Las Vegas, where she guided attendees through transformative meditation and mindful moments.

These experiences build deep connections among participants and team members like never before.

#MindfulHealthcare 🙏🏼

At the BenefitsPro Conference's opening day in Denver, industry experts celebrated 20 years of innovation. Naama led a meditation session, rejuvenating attendees as they explored industry advancements.

International Day of Families

A delightful reminder to cherish and be grateful for the beautiful energy of our loved ones. 💚💙💛💜🧡

Don’t wait to be sick to take care of your health - Cardamom

Cardamom offers a range of health benefits, including:

- Improved digestion

- Anti-inflammatory properties

- Fresh breath

- Antimicrobial effects

- Antioxidant properties

- Respiratory health

- Control of cholesterol levels

- Weight management

- Mood improvement

- Better oral health

These benefits make cardamom a valuable addition to your diet and daily routine.

What we are reading

"Rewire Your Anxious Brain: How to Use the Neuroscience of Fear to End Anxiety, Panic, and Worry" by Catherine M. Pittman and Elizabeth M. Karle

The authors break down complex brain science into easy-to-understand concepts, showing how parts of your brain contribute to anxiety. They provide practical tips and exercises to help you change the way your brain responds to fear, helping you feel calmer and more in control. This book is a helpful guide for anyone looking to reduce anxiety and improve their mental well-being.

What is a healthy lifestyle, exactly?

We highly recommend reading and reviewing –

Researchers from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health conducted a massive study of the impact of health habits on life expectancy, using data from the well-known Nurses' Health Study (NHS) and the Health Professionals Follow-up Study (HPFS). As it turns out, healthy habits make a big difference. Read more here. 

Travel 

Summer is here, and we want to remind you to travel safely and stay healthy.

 Travel claims:

When filing travel insurance claims, make sure to provide accurate information for efficient processing.

Here is a quick guide to help you streamline the process:

Include Supporting Documentation: You should include the reason for your visit, an itemized bill detailing the services received, dates, and the provider's name and payment information. Any missing information may result in delays in processing the claims.

Opt for eClaims: For a smoother experience, we encourage you to submit your claims electronically through the Member Hub or the mobile app. This method speeds up processing and reduces the chances of errors.

Do you need additional help?: Always reach out to us!

Reminder About Short-Term Plan Rate Increases

As of April 17, rate increases were applied to all GeoBlue Voyager^® and GeoBlue Trekker ^® plans. The average rate increase across all plans is under 5%, although increases vary by plan and member age. For Voyager Choice, there are no increases for individuals over age 64.

All plans include:

• Telemedicine at no extra cost

• A highly-rated mobile app

• A provider network in 190 countries

• All plans guaranteed issue up to age 95

• Coverage for pre-existing conditions on every plan except Voyager Essential

Make sure you get travel insurance before you fly out!!!

Wishing you safe and peaceful travels,

From Naama, and the RightPlan team 💙