IBEW District 4: What's New / Blog http://ibewdistrict4-www.matrixdev.net/ en dswisher@segalmgc.com Copyright 2014 2014-08-07T12:54:19+00:00 Prevention and Early Treatment Can Take the Bite Out of Lyme Disease http://ibewdistrict4-www.matrixdev.net/blog/prevention-and-early-treatment-can-take-the-bite-out-of-lyme-disease1/ http://ibewdistrict4-www.matrixdev.net/blog/prevention-and-early-treatment-can-take-the-bite-out-of-lyme-disease1/#When:12:54:19Z Lyme Disease is an infectious disease that affects more than 25,000 Americans every year. Living in certain parts of the US, especially the West and Northeast, puts you at higher risk for catching it. Left untreated, Lyme Disease can spread to the joints, heart and nervous system, and cause serious illness. Read on for important information about how you can prevent and treat it.

Lyme Disease is caused by a bacterium commonly found in blacklegged ticks. When infested ticks bite human beings, they transfer the bacteria, causing an infection. Typical symptoms include a large bull’s-eye-like rash at the site of the bite, followed by headache, fever and fatigue.
The most effective way to prevent Lyme Disease is to make sure you are not bitten. To do this, you should:
• Avoid tick-infested areas, such as wooded areas, tall grass or weeds.
• Tuck your pant legs into your socks if you’re in a high-risk area. This will help prevent ticks from crawling inside.
• Use insect repellent.
• Check your body for ticks after being outdoors.

If you do notice a tick on your body, don’t panic. Early tick removal may reduce the risk of infection. To safely remove a tick:
• Use fine-tipped tweezers and protect your bare hands with a tissue or gloves.
• Grab the tick close to the skin. Do not twist or jerk it. Gently pull straight up.
• After removal, wash your hands with soap and water. Clean the tick bite with an antiseptic.
• Watch for signs of illness, and see a health care provider if they develop.

Most cases of Lyme disease can be treated with a few weeks of antibiotics. Make sure to seek medical help if you suspect a tick bite and notice any symptoms. Log in to your Member Assistance Program (MAP) at www.guidanceresources.com for additional information.

]]> http://ibewdistrict4-www.matrixdev.net/blog/prevention-and-early-treatment-can-take-the-bite-out-of-lyme-disease1/#comments Thu, 07 Aug 2014 12:54:19 GMT Prevention and Early Treatment Can Take the Bite Out of Lyme Disease http://ibewdistrict4-www.matrixdev.net/blog/prevention-and-early-treatment-can-take-the-bite-out-of-lyme-disease/ http://ibewdistrict4-www.matrixdev.net/blog/prevention-and-early-treatment-can-take-the-bite-out-of-lyme-disease/#When:12:54:08Z Lyme Disease is an infectious disease that affects more than 25,000 Americans every year. Living in certain parts of the US, especially the West and Northeast, puts you at higher risk for catching it. Left untreated, Lyme Disease can spread to the joints, heart and nervous system, and cause serious illness. Read on for important information about how you can prevent and treat it.

Lyme Disease is caused by a bacterium commonly found in blacklegged ticks. When infested ticks bite human beings, they transfer the bacteria, causing an infection. Typical symptoms include a large bull’s-eye-like rash at the site of the bite, followed by headache, fever and fatigue.
The most effective way to prevent Lyme Disease is to make sure you are not bitten. To do this, you should:
• Avoid tick-infested areas, such as wooded areas, tall grass or weeds.
• Tuck your pant legs into your socks if you’re in a high-risk area. This will help prevent ticks from crawling inside.
• Use insect repellent.
• Check your body for ticks after being outdoors.

If you do notice a tick on your body, don’t panic. Early tick removal may reduce the risk of infection. To safely remove a tick:
• Use fine-tipped tweezers and protect your bare hands with a tissue or gloves.
• Grab the tick close to the skin. Do not twist or jerk it. Gently pull straight up.
• After removal, wash your hands with soap and water. Clean the tick bite with an antiseptic.
• Watch for signs of illness, and see a health care provider if they develop.

Most cases of Lyme disease can be treated with a few weeks of antibiotics. Make sure to seek medical help if you suspect a tick bite and notice any symptoms. Log in to your Member Assistance Program (MAP) at www.guidanceresources.com for additional information.

]]> http://ibewdistrict4-www.matrixdev.net/blog/prevention-and-early-treatment-can-take-the-bite-out-of-lyme-disease/#comments Thu, 07 Aug 2014 12:54:08 GMT Preventive Health Screenings are Important for Early Detection http://ibewdistrict4-www.matrixdev.net/blog/preventive-health-screenings-are-important-for-early-detection/ http://ibewdistrict4-www.matrixdev.net/blog/preventive-health-screenings-are-important-for-early-detection/#When:18:18:50Z Preventive health screenings can help you avoid or detect health issues before they become serious problems. The Fund’s medical plan covers medically necessary, preventive health screenings from in-network pro­viders at no cost to you. Examples of free preventive health screenings include a cholesterol test (starting at age 35), and a type 2 diabetes screening for adults who may not have diabetes symptoms but whose blood pressure is higher than 135/80. The table below provides other examples of age-appropriate preventive screenings for men and women. Of course, you should always discuss what type of preventive care and tests are appropriate for you with your doctor or health care provider.

Age For Recommended Screenings
18 or older Men & Women Blood pressure check at least every two years (high blood pressure is 140/90 or higher).
21 or older Women only Pap smear every one to three years to screen for Cervical Cancer.
35 or older

(starting at age 20 if you have certain risk factors)		 Men & Women Cholesterol level testing. Start at age 20 if:
  • You use tobacco.
  • You are obese.
  • You have diabetes or high blood pressure.
  • You have a personal history of heart disease or blocked arteries.
  • A man in your family had a heart attack before age 50 or a woman, before age 60.
Starting at age 40 Women only Annual mammogram. Ask your doctor if a mammogram is right for you based on your age, family history, overall health and personal concerns.
Starting at age 50 Men & Women Colorectal cancer-screening test. If you have a family history of colorectal cancer, you may need to be screened earlier.
Between 65 and 75 Men only If you’ve ever been a smoker, talk to your doctor about being screened for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA).
Age 65 Women only Osteoporosis (bone thinning) screening to make sure your bones are strong. If you’re younger than 65, talk to your doctor about whether or not you should be tested.

A complete list of preventive care services for children and adults is available in the Plan Notice posted to the Medical Benefits page. As a reminder, the Fund pays 100% of covered preventive services—you do not have to pay a deductible or coinsurance—as long as you go to an in-network doctor. For more information, check out the schedule of benefits section in your Summary Plan Description, or visit the “Medical Benefits” page.

]]> http://ibewdistrict4-www.matrixdev.net/blog/preventive-health-screenings-are-important-for-early-detection/#comments Tue, 08 Apr 2014 06:18:50 GMT What’s on Your Mind? http://ibewdistrict4-www.matrixdev.net/blog/whats-on-your-mind1/ http://ibewdistrict4-www.matrixdev.net/blog/whats-on-your-mind1/#When:15:16:56Z Welcome to our new and improved Web site! We hope you are as excited about it as we are. A lot of work went into making sure we not only provide you with the benefit information that matters most, but also give you a new way to reach out to the Fund Office with your comments, questions or concerns. This Web site has it all…

Our Blog

       
  • Yes, that’s right. The Fund has officially entered the ‘blogosphere.’ The 4D Blog is our newest way to have conversations with all of our members at the same time. We want this to become a forum where members and the Fund Office have open discussions about benefits-related topics, industry happenings and issues you face every day. To get things started, we want to hear what’s on your mind. Use the “Contribute to the Discussion” section below to send us your ideas for future blog posts. We’ll do our best to organize replies into common themes and build out discussions. While we want this to be as much of an open communication forum as possible, we will monitor comments and pull any that are inappropriate or contain incorrect information.

Personalized information

       
  • The Member Dashboard provides secure, online access to your personal eligibility, dollar bank, contribution, claims data and more. You must register on the site before accessing your personal information.

Better Information

       
  • A new section just for retirees.
    •    
  • How Do I statements get you to the information you need in a single click.
    •    
  • The Life Events box on the home page offers helpful reminders about what you need to do when ‘life happens’ (e.g., marriage, divorce, birth/adoption, etc.).
    •    
  • What’s New posts current announcements from the Fund Office.

Enjoy the site!

 

]]> http://ibewdistrict4-www.matrixdev.net/blog/whats-on-your-mind1/#comments Wed, 16 Dec 2009 03:16:56 GMT