Snacking smart by being choosy The CSEA Employee Benefit Fund (EBF) is proud to provide dental benefits to thousands of CSEA members and dependents throughout New York state. Much of what we do is centered on keeping you healthy and informed. Did you know February is National Children’s Dental Health Month? As a part of this nationwide program, EBF wants to provide you with information to help your young ones develop a good attitude towards habits critical in maintaining good oral health. Read below for some great tips on choosing the right foods for your oral health, with tips from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and American Dental Association (ADA). What’s wrong with sugary snacks? Sugary foods can lead to tooth decay. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reports that the average American eats about 150-170 lbs. of refined sugars per year. The American Dental Association (ADA) reports that an average teenage boy in the U.S. consumes 81 gallons of soft drinks each year. Some sodas contain as much as 11 teaspoons of sugar per can. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommends that people age 3 and older should consume no more than 12.5 teaspoons each day of added sugar. How do sugars attack your teeth? Bacteria live in your mouth all the time, but some bacteria form plaque, a sticky material on the surface of the teeth. Whenever Important information: CarePoint health termination notice Empire Blue Cross/Blue Shield is committed to providing Empire Plan members with quality service at affordable rates. One way we do this is by negotiating competitive reimbursement rates with participating hospitals. Unfortunately, an agreement has not been met with CarePoint Health and as a result, effective Jan. 1, 2017, CarePoint Health is no longer participating in the Empire Blue Cross/ Blue Shield hospital network. Terminating hospitals: Bayonne Medical Center, 29 E 29th Street, Bayonne, N.J. 07002 Christ Hospital, 176 Palisade Avenue, Jersey City, N.J. 07306 Hoboken University Medical Center, 308 Willow Avenue, Hoboken, N.J. 07030 That means if you choose to use CarePoint Health, except for the special circumstances, services will be covered on an out-of-network basis. Alternative Hospitals: Englewood Hospital & Medical Center, 350 Engle Street, Englewood, N.J. 07631 Jersey City Medical Center, 355 Grand Street, Jersey City, N.J. 07304 Valley Hospital, 223 N Van Dien Street, Ridgewood, N.J. 07450 Enrollees who have questions regarding how this may affect them are encouraged to call Empire Blue Cross/Blue Shield toll free at 877-769- 7447, Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. or visit empireblue.com to avoid potential difficulties and unnecessary medical expenses. Empire Plan claims deadlines for calendar year 2016 Empire Plan enrollees have until April 30, 2017, 120 days after the end of the calendar year, to submit medical expenses which were incurred during the 2016 plan year to: United HealthCare Service Corp. P.O. Box 1600 Kingston, NY 12402-1600 For the Empire Plan Basic Medical Program, the Home Care Advocacy Program (HCAP) and for non-network physical therapy or chiropractic services. Empire Blue Cross and Blue Shield NYS Service Center P.O. Box 1407 — Church Street Station New York, NY 10008-1407 For Empire Plan and non-network Inpatient or Outpatient hospital services. Beacon Health Options P.O. Box 1800 Latham, NY 12110 For non-network mental health and substance abuse services. CVS Caremark P.O. Box 6590 Lee’s Summit, MO 64064-6590 For prescriptions filled at non-participating pharmacies or at participating pharmacies without using your New York Government Employee Benefit Card. Enrollees can call the Empire Plan at 1-877-7NYSHIP (1-877-769-7447) with questions or to obtain claim forms. As a reminder, when using the Empire Plan’s toll-free telephone number, please pay extra attention to the choices offered by the automated system. Network providers/pharmacies will submit claims directly to the appropriate insurance carrier on your behalf when provided with all necessary information. If you have a non-network claim submission, make sure you complete the requested subscriber information on the claim form, include the original billing or receipt (if requested), and don’t forget to sign the claim form. you eat a sugary food, bacteria in the plaque feed off the sugars you ate and turn it into acid. Eventually, these acids can dissolve the enamel on your teeth, which is how cavities form. How can I snack smart to protect myself from tooth decay? The ADA also recommends that you limit eating or drinking between meals, but if you are choosing a snack, avoid refined sugars such as sweets or soft drinks. Sugary foods, especially those with chewy or sticky surfaces, are worse for your teeth as they stick to the tooth surface longer, increasing the acid produced by the bacteria. How can I choose foods that are great for my oral health? The American Dental Association, like most medical experts, recommends that you limit foods with added sugars, particularly refined sugars. Opt for healthier choices such as fruits and vegetables, whole grains, milk and dairy products and meat, nuts and seeds. Because most foods may promote tooth decay if eaten in excess, it is important to thoroughly brush your teeth after snacks and meals. Regular checkups at the dentist can also prevent serious oral problems by recognizing and stopping decay early. Check out our dental plans Visit our website at cseaebf.com to find out what EBF benefits are available to you! February 2017 The Work Force 17
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