When discussing hypertension, we tend to focus on its physical effects, such as its link to heart disease, stroke and diabetes. But doctors warn that high blood pressure may affect your mental capacity as well. According to HealthDay News, a new… more »

The CDC states that more than 40% of adults have felt pain in their mouth in the last year. So, it’s easy to see why you should be brushing, flossing, and rinsing regularly. But these tasks could do more than just keep teeth clean – they could also help… more »

Unhealthy habits can be a vicious cycle, in that chronic conditions make people more susceptible to a heart attack, which in turn can serve to further exacerbate those conditions. But just like in sports, the best offense is a good defense ‒ in… more »

Colonoscopies are critical to the early detection and treatment of colon cancer, but they're not the only thing that can help you spot the disease. You also have to pay attention to signals from your digestive system, researchers warn. "The old saying… more »

Not too long ago, it seemed that most people got their flu shot at just about the same time every year. But now that many pharmacies offer walk-in vaccinations ‒ with one major chain even going so far as to offer shopping discounts with your shot… more »

Although they may not cure mental health diseases, certain foods have been shown to help improve and protect the brain and its functions. A study from the journal Neurological showed that adding servings of fruit to your diet (1–2 cups daily depending… more »

Here's a good reason to promote the value of exercise to your employees: It could save them $2,500 a year. According to a new study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association, an analysis of 26,239 men and women found that just 30… more »

Heart disease and cancer rank as the number one and two causes of death in the United States, according to new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The two diseases are trending in opposite directions ‒ but in both cases,… more »

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendation against routine screenings of prostate cancer has resulted in fewer diagnoses for the disease, new research finds. But the question remains as to whether more men will ultimately develop… more »

As more hospitals gravitate away from traditional fee-for-service to alternative payments methods, self-funded groups are making changes to their health care plans to capitalize on the potential savings. According to an analysis by the National Business… more »

Let’s do some math. Subtract your age from the number 220 (the answer is your maximum heart rate). Now multiply that number by 0.6. Got it? Repeat the steps, only this time, multiply by 0.8. You now know your targeted pulse range when performing… more »

Sitting on the sofa all day may be relaxing, but it's costing our country a lot of money. According to Benefits Pro, a new study finds that physical inactivity costs the U.S. $27.8 billion annually, an amount researchers label a conservative estimate.… more »

High cost claimants are among the leading contributors to health care spending, topping even medical inflation, pharmaceuticals, and specific diseases. A study from the American Health Policy Institute and Leavitt Partners found that claimants who cost… more »

It should come as little surprise that a proven wellness program like MedBen WellLiving can help to reduce the risk of serious health conditions. But a new study shows just how much an impact regular preventive care can make. According to HealthDay… more »

Vision care is typically described as an ancillary benefit, but its advantages make it more than just an add-on. MedBen VisionPlus offers a great complement to your group medical and pharmacy coverage. HealthDay News reports that, according to a new… more »

Chronic health conditions are often closely linked -- that is, one existing condition contributes to the development of another. It's a major reason that MedBen WellLiving places such a great emphasis on the ongoing doctor-patient relationship. For… more »

Recently, we discussed here how MedBen helps to keep self-funded, non-grandfathered plans compliant with new preventive care requirements under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). However, it's not enough to just monitor new recommendations — we also… more »

Drinking soda has no nutritional benefits for our bodies, but we already knew that. It isn’t the healthiest choice, nor does it provide much hydration. The taste is generally why Americans consume more than 44 gallons per person per year. So what really… more »

Happy Independence Day from MedBen! In observance of the holiday, our home office will be closed on Monday, July 4 and reopen at 8:00 a.m. on Tuesday, July 5. Hopefully your day off is all about cookouts with friends & family and community… more »

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recently reiterated its recommendation that adults age 50 and over receive regular colon cancer screenings until at least age 75, but did not specify a preferred screening method. MedBen WellLiving promotes… more »