Try a New Move- Vacuum Hold

Vacuum and…hold! What if you could train your core by laying on the floor? This month’s new move—vacuum holds—aims to strengthen your transverse abdominis, combat lower back pain, and improve posture. “Vacuum holds” earn their name from the belly suctioning action needed to engage your transverse abdominis. Grab a group of coworkers and try this out before or after your lunch break.  Read on to find a set of abdominal exercises you can do in the comfort of your own home (or workplace or hotel) tonight! Your transverse abdominis runs horizontally between your ribs and pelvis and is one of the deepest core muscles in your body, acting as a stabilizer for the entire lower back and lumbar spine. In fact, some fitness professionals consider this to be one of the most important core muscles in the body! When activated, [...]

Exercise for success!

Pair temptations and exercise for success! We’re one month into the New Year and we hope that new gym membership is being utilized to its full potential! Even though we feel better inside and out when we get our daily recommended 30-60 minutes of physical activity, getting back into a workout routine after a hiatus can be difficult. So, what can you do to nudge your brain towards turning healthy intentions into reality?  Temptation bundling is a psychological technique that can help you get to the gym by combining pleasurable activities with exercise. How does it work? Maybe you discovered a sensational podcast or tempting TV series and you’re teetering on whether you should stay in and relax or bust out an hour-long cycling session. The idea is to combine these activities, so you only listen to the podcast or [...]

Slide into Exercise

Do the slide! Are furniture sliders the answer to overcoming your workout rut? If you have a little open floor space in your home or office, you can challenge every muscle in your body with a set of inexpensive furniture sliders. Using furniture sliders, or core discs, offers the same challenge of walking on ice, but without the fall risk! You’ll improve your balance and open yourself up to a whole new world of low-impact core exercises. Even better, you don’t even need actual furniture or core sliders to get started; paper plates or a couple washcloths on a hard-surfaced floor work too. Want an official set? Search online for “core discs.” There’s plenty of options for less than $10. While you’re at it, check out these 31 exercises for a full body workout with your sliders of choice: https://greatist.com/move/sliders-workout

Event: Ohio Safety Congress & Expo

High Risk: Finding Your Wellness Program Purpose Date: Wednesday, March 9, 2016 Our Presenter: Bill Frankel, Executive Vice President and Principal of Be Well Solutions As health issues expand across the country, more and more companies are feeling the burden of an unhealthy workforce. Higher health insurance costs, increased absenteeism, reduced work productivity all affect your bottom-line. Today, learn about: • The Financial Toll on Corporate America o Indirect Cost and Direct Cost of Poor Health • Making a Case for Wellness o Reduction in Risk Factors = Reduction in Health Care Costs • Wellness that Works: Essential Elements o Selecting the Right Wellness Program for Your Organization • 2016: Updates to the ACA, Alternative Standards and Technology • Wellness for YOU: It’s Never Too Late to Begin Your Journey Into Wellness For more information, please visit https://www.bwc.ohio.gov/employer/programs/safety/SafetyCongress.asp

ERISA, COBRA and Wellness Programming

David T. Andrews, Attorney for Day Ketterer The threshold issue to determine whether ERISA applies to a wellness program is whether the wellness program rises to the level of a “Group Health Plan.” ERISA defines a Group Health Plan as “an employer-sponsored welfare benefit plan to the extent that the plan provides medical care (…including items and services paid for as medical care) to employees or their dependents directly or through insurance or otherwise.” Many common wellness program initiatives will cause a wellness plan to become a Group Health Plan subject to ERISA, including health risk assessments that provide advice and counseling, employer-paid immunizations and employer-paid biometric screenings (i.e., blood pressure screening, BMI, cholesterol, etc.). In addition, a wellness program can become a Group Health Plan by becoming linked to a Group Health Plan, such as by rewarding employees for [...]

BWS- Top Workplace by The Cleveland Plain Dealer and WorkplaceDynamics, LLC.

CLEVELAND, OH – June 21, 2015 – Be Well Solutions is pleased to announce, for the second consecutive year, that it has been named a 2015 Top Workplace by The Cleveland Plain Dealer and WorkplaceDynamics, LLC. The award recognizes corporate culture, work/life balance, support of the local community, and the strong connection between employees and the company. Most importantly, the Top Workplace Award takes into consideration the internal support, guidance and encouragement provided to employees. At Be Well Solutions, employees take pride in making an impact in the health and well-being of our participants. The Be Well Solutions culture unifies the company to work as a team toward the same goal – to continue to provide impactful wellness solutions. “Be Well Solutions is thrilled to be selected as a top workplace for the second year in a row. From the [...]

Event: Summit County Worksite Wellness Conference Hosted by the Wellness 360 Committee

High Risk: Finding Your Wellness Program Purpose Date: Thursday, March 10, 2016 Our Presenter: Bill Frankel, Executive Vice President and Principal of Be Well Solutions As health issues expand across the country, more and more companies are feeling the burden of an unhealthy workforce. Higher health insurance costs, increased absenteeism, reduced work productivity all affect your bottom-line. Today, learn about: • The Financial Toll on Corporate America: Indirect Cost and Direct Cost of Poor Health • Making a Case for Wellness: Reduction in Risk Factors = Reduction in Health Care Costs • Wellness that Works: Essential Elements: Selecting the Right Wellness Program for Your Organization • 2016: Updates to the ACA, Alternative Standards and Technology • Wellness for YOU: It’s Never Too Late to Begin Your Journey Into Wellness For more information, please visit https://www.wellness360conference.com.

Be Well Basic Program

We are pleased to announce the start of a brand new program to provide limited wellness services to those organizations that are A) not ready for comprehensive wellness programming B) not ready to financially support a comprehensive wellness program or C) all of the above. This program will allow every organization, regardless of size, to promote health and wellness internally at a nominal rate. We are now offering the new Be Well Physician Screening Incentive Program: Be Well Basic. The purpose of this program is to encourage participants to get their annual well-visit with their PCP and to reward them for doing so. As with our existing programs, Be Well will take ownership and responsibility for this wellness program. We will do all of the work—including the roll out, data warehousing, reporting and more. A few important notes: • This [...]

Event: OSCPA: Cleveland Accounting Show

Health and Wellness in the Workplace Date: Thursday, October 22nd, 2015 Our Presenter: Bill Frankel, Executive Vice President and Principal of Be Well Solutions As health issues expand across the country, more and more companies are feeling the burden of an unhealthy workforce. Higher health insurance costs, increased absenteeism, reduced work productivity all affect your bottom-line. Learn why it is never too late to begin your journey into wellness. The presentation will include 2016 updates to the ACA, Alternative Standards and Technology.

Event: Solon Chamber of Commerce WRSC November Program

Moderator Michael Schechter "A WRSC Member Panel Discussion of Best Wellness Practices” Panel discussion will include best practices of the City of Solon, Pressco, Pyramyd Air, Swagelok and University Hospitals The discussion will focus on best wellness practices among area businesses and public entities as part of the Ohio Bureau of Workers’ Compensation (BWC) program to improve wellness and reduce employee health risks. This program is a great opportunity to learn from local organizations with successful programs already in place. According to BWC, there is grant money available to help companies implement wellness programs. Dr. Michael Schechter is Director of Operations at Be Well Solutions and holds a MD from The Ohio State University College of Medicine and a Physician Executive Certificate from Johns Hopkins School of Medicine and Continuing Studies. Sponsored by Be Well Solutions What: WRSC November Meeting Where: Mustard Seed Market & [...]